GET THERE: The area of south- central Utah where outlaw Butch Cassidy roamed is about 150 miles northeast of St. George and about 250 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.
From Denver International Airport (DEN) Delta, Frontier, United and US Airways offer one-stop service to St. George starting at $346 round-trip; the same airlines offer nonstop service to Salt Lake City starting at $108 round-trip.
STAY: Boulder Mountain Lodge, Utah 12, Boulder; 800-556-3446, boulder-utah.com. This handsome, contemporary wood lodge on Boulder Mountain has a hot tub overlooking a bird sanctuary and a stylish grill restaurant; doubles range from $72 to $162, depending on the season.
Bryce and Zion National Parks have historic lodges and cabins; Zion Lodge is open year-round; doubles start around $154; Bryce Canyon Lodge is open April 1 to Oct. 31 with doubles starting about $125; for information contact Xanterra, 888-297-2757, .
Butch Cassidy’s Hideout Motel & Cafe, 339 S. U.S. 89, Circleville; 435-577-2008, butchcassidyshide . The small, shipshape motel and cafe are popular with ATV riders headed for the Paiute Trail; doubles from $58.
Desert Pearl Inn, Utah 9, Springdale; 435-772-8888, desertpearl . The stylish and welcoming motel on the banks of the Virgin River’s north fork near Zion National Park has a laundry, swimming pool and gift shop with cafe; doubles start at $98.
Lodge at Red River Ranch, Utah 24, Teasdale; 800-205-6343, redriv . The lodge just west of Capitol Reef National Park was converted from an old stagecoach station. It has 15 elegant guest rooms full of Western antiques and boasts a hot tub, fly-fishing on the Fremont River and a charming restaurant; doubles from $160.
Ruby’s Inn, 1000 S. Utah 63, Bryce; 800-468-8660, . The inn, founded around 1920 at the entrance of Bryce Canyon National Park, is a Best Western hotel that is favored by families, thanks to recreational offerings including an indoor pool, national-park tours and horseback riding; doubles from about $70, depending on the season.
DINE: Balance Rock Eatery & Pub, 148 S. Main St., Helper; 435- 472-0403. A homey bar-restaurant with antiques for sale and pool tables; $10 to $15 per person.
Boulder Mesa Restaurant, Burr Trail, Boulder; 435-335-7447. Famous burgers and pie; $10 to $15.
Bryce Canyon Pines, Utah 12, Bryce; 800-892-7923. A motel with a friendly restaurant renowned for it blueberry banana cream pie; dinner for one about $20.
Oscar’s, 948 Zion Park Blvd., Springdale; 435-772-3232. Serves huge burgers and burritos; about $10 to $15.
Rim Rock Restaurant, 2523 E. Utah 24, Torrey; 888-447-4676. For steak, chicken and chops with a great view of Waterpocket Fold; $20 to $25 per person.
SHOP: Cowboy Collectibles, 57 N. Main St., Panguitch; 435-676-8060. A trove of Old West memorabilia, including cowboy bath towels for $25 a set.
Escalante Outfitters, 310 Main St., Escalante; 435-826-4266. Has a terrific collection of books, maps, outdoors apparel and gear.
Helper Antique Mall, 115 S. Main St., Helper; 435-472-8883. A grandma’s attic of old Utah collectibles.
M&S Turquoise, 53 E. St. George Blvd., St. George; 435-628-2514. Sells traditional Southwestern silver and turquoise jewelry at cut-rate prices.
MORE INFO: Utah Tourism; 800-200-1160, .
