Castle Valley Inn

Sitting on a large expanse of Castle Valley land, the inn provides beautiful views of the surrounding red rock cliffs and mesas. The unique south Utah experience, with its romantic and peaceful setting, is best-suited to couples. Mule deer, rabbits and quail can be seen roaming the grounds. A path loops around the property, which includes an orchard with apple, apricot, and peach trees. There are also an outdoor hot tub on a covered wooden deck with two lounge chairs and a gorgeous mountain backdrop.

Staying at the Castle Valley Inn feels like visiting a family residence, especially as innkeepers Jeanette and Jason Graham and their two kids live beside the inn. A friendly resident black cat roams the property. 

Some interior furnishings are slightly worn and outdated, but most visitors appreciate the property's rustic charm. The reception building is a single-floor pinewood cabin with a brick chimney and dark wooden porch that looks out over a gravel parking lot. The lounge area is decorated with Southwestern decor and features a stone-hearth fireplace, a tube TV, and comfy furniture. Movies and books are available to borrow. There’s also a souvenir stand with gifts for sale. A large world map dotted with pushpins hangs on the wall, documenting the hometowns of past visitors. 

The drive to the Castle Valley Inn, along the Colorado River, provides beautiful scenic views, and great stargazing activities at night, but the location is isolated. Downtown Moab -- with shops and restaurants -- is a 30-minute drive and it’s over an hour by car to the Canyonlands National Park. The Arches National Park is a 35-minute drive. The Red Cliffs Lodge, 13 minutes by car, offers horseback riding and meals at the Cowboy Grill. The Sorrel River Ranch Resort with guided hikes and the River Grill Restaurant is a 10-minute drive away. The Moab Adventure Center -- a 36-minute drive -- offers river rafting.

Southwestern furnishings, pine details, rawhide furniture, quilted bedspreads, and windows with scenic views give the lodgings at the inn a homey feel. The inn offers a few rooms and bungalows, plus a two-room suite and a cabin. All come with slippers, ceiling fans, and coffeemakers, and some come with VCRs (VHS videos are available to borrow). Bathrooms have shower/tub combos and free toiletries. Bungalows have air-conditioning and kitchens with microwaves and stoves/ovens, dining tables, and patio barbecue grills. The Anasazi Cabin has a wraparound deck, bunk beds, a kitchenette, and a propane barbecue. The Wingate Room offers a Mexican tile bathtub. 

The Castle Valley Inn serves a hot, home-cooked breakfast along with organic coffee in a cozy dining room with pinewood floors, southwestern tablecloths, rust-colored walls, wooden framed glass doors, and a large window that provides views of the wooded property. There's also a microwave, and guests with special diets can be accommodated. Some of the inn’s popular recipes -- such as apple spice pancakes and hash-brown quiche -- are shared on the website. The inn also offers horseshoe lawns games. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and there's plenty of free on-site parking.