Torrey

Torrey is a town in Utah's Canyon Country and a gateway to the nearby Capitol Reef National Park and other attractions in Canyon Country. Torrey is situated at the intersection of Highway 12 and Highway 24 in Wayne County, Utah, and is a popular resting spot between Bryce Canyon National Park and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to the south and Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park to the east.

Although many of the locals continue to raise cattle and sheep on the public lands that surround the town, the public lands are increasingly used for hunting, fishing, hiking, bicycling, ATVing, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor sports. Because of the dark, rural skies, tourists are also coming for night sky viewing. Torrey is the hub of activities for this part of the state.

Torrey sits at an elevation of about 6,800 feet. The climate features warm summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures range from 50°F to 90°F (10°C to 32°C), while winter temperatures can drop below 0°F (-18°C). The area receives about 12 inches of precipitation annually, with most falling as snow in winter.

By Plane

The closest airfield is Wonderland Airport in Wayne County near Bicknell, Utah, but it is unattended with no commercial flights. Larger airports are found 3.5 hours from Torrey in St. George and Grand Junction, Colorado. Many travelers fly into Salt Lake City (3.5 hour drive) or Las Vegas (5 hour drive).

By Train

There's no passenger service to Torrey. The nearest stop is in Green River, 91 mi (146 km) to the northwest. From there you need to organize your own transport.

By Car / Road

From I-70 driving west from Green River/Colorado, take exit 149 to Hanksville, then follow SR-24 to Torrey. From points north including Salt Lake City, exit I-15 at Scipio and follow US-50 West, turn onto SR-260 to Aurora, turn south onto SR-24. From the southwest, drive Highway 12 over Boulder Mountain. From the south including St George and Las Vegas, exit I-15 at exit 95 to Panguitch, follow SR-20, then US-89, then SR-62, then SR-24 to Torrey.

A car is essential for exploring Torrey and the surrounding area. The town itself is small and walkable. Capitol Reef National Park is a few miles east, accessible by car via UT-24.

• Capitol Reef National Park — Just east of Torrey. Enjoy both ancient and pioneer history, beautiful orchards, and endless opportunities for hiking.

• Boulder Mountain — Just south of Torrey. Part of Dixie and Fish Lake National Forests, this mountain (7,000-11,000 ft) is filled with pine forests and world-renowned trout fishing lakes.

• Thousand Lake Mountain — Just north of Torrey. Popular for hunting, fishing, camping, horseback riding, bicycling, and off-road driving.

• Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area — Part of the Mormon Pioneer Heritage area with lots of local history places to explore.

• Torrey Gallery — 160 West Main Street. Art gallery featuring Utah artists and Navajo rugs.

• Torrey Apple Days — The first Saturday of July. Festivities include breakfast, a 5K race, arts and crafts, a parade, pie eating contest, and live music.

• BIFF (Bicknell International Film Festival) — In nearby Bicknell. The third weekend in July, celebrating B movies for over 18 years.

• Heritage Starfest — The annual Heritage Starfest held during a moonless Saturday night in September, celebrating dark skies and night sky preservation.

• Hiking — Capitol Reef National Park offers numerous hiking trails.

• Stargazing — The dark, rural skies around Torrey offer exceptional opportunities for night sky viewing.

• Hunt & Gather — +1 435 425 3070. Th-Tu, 5PM-9PM. Closed winters. Local favorite with seasonal menu.
• Capitol Burger — +1 801-362-0226. Popular burger truck usually parked in the Chuckwagon Store lot. Vegetarian burgers available.
• Cliffstone Restaurant — American cuisine with views of the surrounding landscape.
• Slacker's Burger Joint — Casual burgers and fast food.

Water is available at the visitor center and at developed areas in the park. Torrey has limited options for alcoholic beverages. The dark skies make stargazing a popular evening activity.

• Budget: Chuckwagon Motel. Basic but clean rooms in a convenient location.
• Mid-range: The Rim Rock. Comfortable rooms with views of the surrounding landscape.
• Upscale / heritage: Skyview Hotel, 876 West State Route 24. Newer hotel with modern rooms, some with private hot tubs.

Torrey has limited shopping, with a few galleries and general stores. The Chuckwagon Store in the center of town offers basic supplies and camping gear. Capitol Reef National Park has a visitor center bookstore.

• Arches National Park — About 2.5 hours northeast. Over 2,000 natural sandstone arches.
• Bryce Canyon National Park — About 2 hours west via UT-12. Spectacular hoodoos and amphitheaters.
• Canyonlands National Park — About 3 hours east. Dramatic canyons carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers.
• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument — South. Vast wilderness with slot canyons and scenic drives.
• Capitol Reef National Park — Just east. The main attraction near Torrey.
• Goblin Valley State Park — About 1.5 hours east. Unique mushroom-shaped rock formations.