Don’t be fooled by the misnomers “cowboy” or “Sorrel River”. First of all, there is no Sorrel River. The Colorado River flows adjacent to the ranch. Sorrel is the designation of a particular hue of quarter horse. These horses graze on the green irrigated pastures of this beautiful ranch in Castle Canyon, 17 miles east of Moab, Utah.  Secondly, the term “cowboy”, evident in the decorative theme of the cabins and lodge, belies the international sophistication of the staff and the guests. When we visited,  the multi-lingual staff, who hailed from Romania, Korea, Turkey and the Philippines, expertly cared for and communicated with all their international guests. Sorrel River Ranch is a spa as well. Henry and I  took advantage of the deep muscle massage therapy to rejuvenate our hike-stressed bodies. After long, hot days exploring nearby Arches National Park and Canyon Lands National Park, we luxuriated in the jacuzzi and swimming pool, often after we had dined. Our room was on the second floor of a large cabin, room number J-4. We liked being upstairs with a pitched ceiling, plus a balcony that  overlooked the river and the canyon behind us. The bathroom, with glass enclosed shower, also featured a large white oval bathtub with brass claw feet and jacuzzi. Wooden venetian blinds, next to the bathtub, opened to a romantic landscape through a large plate glass window. The views from the ranch were beautiful, with large sculptural “chimney” sandstone formations in shades of sienna red as the focal points.  A most stunning experience was the drive from Moab to Sorrel River Ranch through Castle Canyon on Route 128 . The canyon, made of striated rock in shades of pink and red, was bathed by intense sunlight both morning and evening .  Henry and I agree that this drive, repeated six times in order to gain access to the National Parks was amongst the most beautiful sights in Utah.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. View of the Colorado River and the rock canyons behind our cabin. 2. The fountain and swimming pool area at Sorrel River Ranch. 3. The gate across the road from the ranch:  Sorrel River Ranchos. 4. The sienna red canyons on Route 128. Center, Top: The entrance gate to Sorrel River Ranch. Center, Bottom: The view of the horses grazing on the ranch in the shadow of the beautiful sienna red butte. Right Column: 1. Morning light on the butte overlooking the ranch. 2. Henry outside one of the cabins in morning light. 3. & 4. The walls of the Castle Canyon, en route to Sorrel River Ranch.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                             BACK TO MAP PAGE