Sometimes people want to enjoy fishing, boating, horseback riding or hiking in a beautiful setting while enjoying all the comforts of home.
Utah offers a surprising number of lodges, guest ranches and cabins from the basic to the fancy near water for those looking for an outdoor vacation without roughing it.
"People like the convenience for one thing," said Sue Bates of the Bowery Haven Resort at Fish Lake. "They like spending more time relaxing and not having to always be back cooking and cleaning up. They want to enjoy what the lake and the surrounding area have to offer."
Utah properties that afford such luxury include:
Ideal Beach Resort » On the edge of Bear Lake, this condominium development once known as Sweetwater provides beach and marina access, miniature golf, watercraft rentals, children's playgrounds, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, bicycle rentals, playgrounds, hot tubs, sauna, basketball, a fitness center, shop and grocery and gift store. Condos must be rented for at least a half-week (Monday through Friday or Friday through Monday) with prices ranging from $392 to $1,149 depending on the unit size. Information: www.idealbeach.net, 435-946-3364, 800-634-1018.
Fish Lake Lodge and Lakeside Resort » On the banks of Fish Lake, a beautiful large lake famous for lake trout, splake, rainbow trout and perch fishing, Fish Lake Lodge itself was built from 1928 to 1933 and is a beautiful lodge structure with dining, a porch and a store. Facilities include cabins with full kitchens and bathrooms, an RV park and marine rentals. Information: www.fishlake.com or 435-638-1000.
Bowery Haven » Near Fish Lake, this lodge offers anglers close access to the lake, cabin and motel unit rentals, an RV park with hookups, a restaurant, marina with boat rentals and grocery store. Information: www.boweryhaven.com or 435-638-1040.
Blue Springs Lodge » Near Panguitch Lake, rooms at this lodge include a fridge, two hot plates, microwave oven, cooking utensils and barbecue. Also included are outdoor ramadas, fire pits, a playground, volleyball and tether ball. Televisions and VCRs are available to rent. Information: www.bluespringslodge.com or 435-638-1040.
Panguitch Lake Adventure Resort » On Panguitch Lake, this resort features cabins with televisions, kitchen and bathrooms that sleep six and rent for about $150 a day. It also includes an RV park, marina with boat rentals and restaurant. Information: www.rvfish.com, 435-676-2864, 435-0676-2657.
Bear Paw Lakeview Fishing Resort » Near Panguitch Lake, this resort features 13 cabins with kitchens and bathrooms, an RV park, cafe, marina with boat rentals, playground and general store. Information: www.bearpawfishingresort.com or 888-553-8439.
Cottonwood Meadow Lodge » This lodge nine miles south of Panguitch is associated with Panguitch Anglers and features a barn, bunkhouse, farmhouse and log cabin accommodations, a private fly fishing pond and a river that flows through the area. Information: www.panguitchanglers.com or 435-676-8950.
Navajo Lake Lodge » East of Cedar City in a pretty alpine setting, cabins and boat rentals are available at this historic log lodge. Information: www.navajolakelodge.com or 702-646-4197.
Duck Creek Village » East of Cedar City and near some good fishing streams as well as ATV riding areas in the Dixie National Forest, the village has five small developments with cabins or lodging. Information: www.duckvillage.com (click the lodging site). Inns include the Alpine Forest Lodge (435-682-2500), Duck Creek Village Cabin Rentals (435-867-6303), Duck Creek Village Inn (435-682-2565), Falcon's Nest Cabins (877-384-0361), and Pinewoods Resort (800-848-2525).
Defa's Dude Ranch » Near Tabiona on the south slope of the Uintas near the North Fork of the Duchesne River, this venerable and inexpensive resort (cabin rates are $25 to $45 per night) offers access to Uintas fishing, horseback riding, a cafe, saloon, hiking, fishing and even dancing. Information: www.defasduderanch.com, 435-848-5590 or 801-573-1159.
Moon Lake Resort » On the south slope of the Uintas next to a reservoir surrounded by trees, this classic resort features cabins with kitchens, bathrooms and outdoor fire pits. Boat, kayak and paddle boat rentals are available. Information: www.moonlakeresort.com or 435-454-3142.
Falcons Ledge » Near Altamont, this Orvis fishing lodge is a bed and breakfast featuring eight guest rooms. Fly fishing is on eight on-site ponds as well as nearby streams and rivers. Pheasant hunting is also available. Information: www.falconsledge.com, 435-454-3737 or 877-879-3737.
J.L. Ranch » Near Whiterocks, this small operation features a cabin and a bunkhouse suite. There are fly fishing streams in the area as well as two private on-site ponds. Information: www.JLranch.com or 435-454-3750.
L.C. Ranch » Near Altamont, this ranch features four cabins, a lodge and a dozen stillwater lakes for catch-and-release angling. Information: www.lcranch.com, 435-454-3750 or 435-724-1504,
Strawberry Bay Marina » This motel-like lodge on the edge of Strawberry Reservoir includes a variety of rooms as well as a marina with boat rentals, a store, conference room and cafe. Information: www.strawberrybay.com or 435-548-2500.
Daniels Summit Lodge » This upscale resort is in Daniels Canyon near Daniels Creek, Strawberry Reservoir and Deer Creek Reservoir and features lodge-style rooms. Information: www.danielssummit.com or 435-548-2300.
Lodge at Red River Ranch » Near Capitol Reef National Park and Torrey, this upscale lodge consists of 15 upscale rooms and 2,200 private acres. It features fly fishing on six miles of private river. Information: www.redriverranch.com or 800-205-6343.
Pine Valley Lodge » In the town of Pine Valley west of St. George at the base of the Pine Valley Mountains near a small reservoir, this lodge includes cabins, a cafe and a general store. Information: www.pinevalleylodgeutah.com or 435-574-3100.
Wind Walker Ranch » Near Spring City in Sanpete County, this dude ranch with four separate lodging facilities includes two-bedroom and one-bedroom villas and has permitted access to 70 lakes and miles of stream. It also offers a day spa, horseback riding and nature hikes. Information: www.windwalker.org, 435-462-0282 or 888-606-9463.
Defiance House Lodge » At the Bullfrog Marina overlooking Lake Powell, this is more of a motel than a lodge but does offer good access to the lake with some rooms with a view. Boat rentals are available at the nearby marina and there is a good on-site restaurant and store. Information: www.lakepowell.com, 888-896-3829 or 435-684-3000.
Flaming Gorge Resort » Near Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River, this lodge offers suites with kitchens, group suites and motel units as well as fishing guide services for the Green River and Flaming Gorge, raft rentals, a dining room and a store. Information: www.flaminggorgeresort.com or call 435-889-3773.
Trout Creek flies and Green River Outfitters » Though primarily a guide service for the Green River, this outfit does rent four rooms in Dutch John and offers raft rentals and a shuttle service. Information: www.fishgreenriver.com or 435-885-3355.
Red Canyon Lodge » High above Flaming Gorge Reservoir, this resort features two types of cabins, horseback riding, private pond fishing, mountain biking, pack trips and boat rentals. Information: www.redcanyonlodge.com or 435-889-3759.
Lake View Cabins » In the town of Manila with good views of Flaming Gorge, these cabins provide good access to the reservoir. Information: www.flaminggorge.com, 307-874-5033 or 888-837-7074.
Spirit Lake Lodge » At the edge of the High Uintas Wilderness Area in eastern Utah, this resort features cabins, river and lake fishing and some mountain biking trails. Information: http://www.spiritlakeutah.com/ or phone 435-880-3089.
