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The Spanish Valley Destination is located in southern Utah and covers a small part of Colorado. Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park are two of the popular attractions that are located in the destination. Cities in the region include Castle Valley, Moab, Spanish Valley, La Sal, Paradox, and Bedrock. The area has a desert and dry climate. The summers are warm and stay around 80 to 90 degrees. The destination is very well known for the vast amount of outdoor activities that are offered. Many tourists come to the region during the summer months for rock climbing, river rafting, hiking, and more.
Arches National Park is one of the attractions that the Spanish Valley Destination is known for. Arches National Park is four miles north of Moab and has more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. Delicate Arch, a famous red rock formation, is located within the national park and is a symbol that frequently represents the state of Utah. The park is a high desert climate and covers 76,679 acres. Recreation in the park includes hiking, biking, camping, backpacking, canyoneering, and rock climbing.
Guided tours and ranger programs are offered to visitors. Stargazing is a unique activity that tourists can experience due to the dark skies and little light pollution in the area. There are various notable features to see while visiting, one being the Balanced Rock, which is the size of three school buses.[1] Canyonlands is another prominent feature in the destination. A wide range of recreation can be done at Canyonlands National Park, including hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and four-wheeling. Rafting and kayaking are popular activities on the Green River and Colorado River.[2]
Moab is one of the biggest cities in the area and is a central location to many parks in the area. Westwater Canyon is upstream from Moab, and Cataract Canyon is downstream from Moab. Moab is known for canyoneering, hiking, and exploring the red rocks, river rafting, ATV riding, and 4x4 riding. One of the most popular things to do in Moab is river rafting. Visitors can experience a guided rafting trip along the Colorado River.
Rafting trips include half-day trips, full-day trips, and even up to five-day trips. On the five day guided trips, meals, hiking, camping, rapids, and scenic views are all apart of the experience. Lifejackets, helmets, and lunch are included for the full-day rafting adventure.[9] Climbing is another massive draw to Moab. Potash Road, Indian Creek, and Fisher Towers are three places to climb within the area. Indian Creek is for those looking for challenging crack climbing. The Fisher Towers are around 900-feet and offer views of Castle Valley. Potash Road offers various single-pitch routes for climbers to experience.[10]
Moab has been a destination for many different films and television shows, such as Star Trek, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Mission Impossible 2.[3] More than 400,000 visit Canyonlands yearly. In 2016, 776,218 visitors came to the park.[2] The area receives up to three million visitors a year and has seen an increase in tourists coming to see the red rock formations throughout the years.[5]
The Spanish Valley Destination has a dry and desert climate. Those visiting during the summer months will see the weather averaging around 84 degrees. The high of the year is usually about 95 degrees. June to September are the best months to visit for those looking to do outdoor activities. November through February are the cold seasons, and the average temperature is around 50 degrees. The coldest day of the year is typically in January, with a high of 38 degrees and a low of 20 degrees. The area receives around 10 inches of rain and nine inches of snow per year. May, September, and October are the mildest months when it comes to weather in Moab.[7]
The Spanish Valley Destination has a wide variety of wildlife throughout the area. Animals found within Arches National Park include midget faded rattlesnakes, western rattlesnakes, yucca moths, collared lizards, cougars, scrub jays, red foxes, many kinds of sparrows, and more. Plants that reside in Arches National Park include prickly pear cactus, moss, Utah juniper, Mormon tea, evening primrose, and more.[1]
Canyonlands also has a wide variety of wildlife in the area, including skunks, bats, bobcats, desert bighorn sheep, and more. There are more than 273 species of birds throughout the park. Some species include Cooper's hawk, the sharp-shinned hawk, golden and bald eagles, ravens, and the Mexican spotted owl. Plantlife in Canyonlands includes 11 different cactus species, wildflowers, Fremont's cottonwood, and cliffrose.[2]
The Spanish Valley Destination was first inhabited by Puebloans. In 1877, the destination was settled by Mormon pioneers. Spanish Valley was named after the Old Spanish Trail that goes through the area. The area was known for the rivers, canyons, and mountains. The area had a "wild west" reputation. Many outlaw gangs would retreat to the area for a hideout. Eventually, mining and the building of railroads started up the growth in the area.
The first school was built in 1881, and by 1890 two more schools were built. One of the early Mormon pioneers contributed to the growth of the fruit industry in the area. Today various fruits are still produced in the area, including grapes, peaches, melons, and pears. Uranium was discovered in the area in 1952 and led to significant growth in population. The region is now very well known for tourism because of the red rocks and outdoor recreation throughout the area.[11] 96% of the Spanish Valley Destination residents are white, with the other 4% being Hispanic or Latino.[4]
The Moab Rim RV Campark can be found in Moab, Utah, which is just south of Arches National Park. Moab primarily is a desert climate with red rock formations and many mountains dotted throughout the landscape. Moab is known for its different national and state parks that can be found in almost all corners of the city. The most popular ones that people come to visit are Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. The Moab Rim RV Campark is just two miles south of downtown Moab, putting it in an accessible spot for most endeavors.
...Read MoreThe Canyonlands RV Resort and Campground is situated in Moab, Utah. There are 131 units that guests can rent, consisting of eight cabins, 32 tent sites, and 91 RV sites. The RV sites are all pull-through spaces and have full hookups. Unique to the property is a relatively large number of trees that provide shade and a creek that runs through it. Some of the other amenities the resort offers include a pool, free use of the shower facilities, and a dog park. The property’s location in the city of Moab means that it is convenient to many of the city’s restaurants and stores. According to the resort’s manager, many people will travel to the Moab area to explore the two national parks near the property, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, in addition to hiking, rafting on the Colorado River, and observing geologic formations.
...Read MoreThe Pack Creek Campground is located in Moab, Utah. The property primarily caters to families and small groups looking for a rustic outdoor experience. There are varying types of sites, and Pack Creek has the ability to accommodate larger group sizes—up to roughly 200 visitors. Moab, Utah, is known for its many different outdoor activities such as hiking, riding ATVs, and visiting national parks in the area. The area is mostly desert climate with a three-sixty view of red rock and sand dunes. Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and the Manti-La Sal National Forest are in close proximity to the Pack Creek Campground. The weather in the area is primarily sunny year-round with very hot and dry summers, and a cooler, windy winter season.
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