[ABOVE] View from our porch at the Sorrel River Ranch Resort.
Nestled amidst the breathtaking backdrop of Moab, Utah, is the amazing Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa, which spans 240 acres of majestic landscapes featuring iconic arches, winding canyons, and stunning red-rock mesas – not to mention that the resort sits right along the banks of the beautiful Colorado River.
If you’re looking for privacy and exclusivity, this is the place to stay. Authentic western, rustic elegance is their tagline, and with accolades like the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award and being voted one of the Top 10 Luxury Wilderness Lodges in the USA by Luxury Travel Magazine, it’s easy to see why this is a coveted location.
Deluxe Accommodations
You can stay in their luxurious River View Spa Suites, which include a sprawling balcony overlooking the Colorado River. These are ideal for honeymooners and couples seeking stunning views and solitude. Or, if you’re traveling with the kids, experience the River View Family Suites. These expansive suites are perfect for families or groups of friends traveling together with separate sleeping areas and bi-level layouts. Take in spectacular views of the surrounding mesas or the meandering Colorado River from your slowly swaying front porch rockers or porch swing on your private veranda.
Top: King size bed in the River View Spa Suite.
Bottom: A spacious dining area in the suite.
Unforgettable Activities
The list of things to do here is virtually endless! Sorrel River Ranch is a gateway to activities suited to all desires and experience levels. Simply spend a summer day at the beautiful pool, raft down the winding Colorado River, head out on an ATV ride, or explore numerous hiking and biking trails. And don’t forget the horseback riding! We did a sunset ride through the winding canyons and towering mesas, which was breathtaking. With nearly 10,000 acres of beautiful terrain to explore and a crew of good-natured and fun-loving wranglers, the wild is at your fingertips for some of the best horseback riding in Utah. After all this, unwind at the peaceful and serene Colorado River Spa on the property. You can also take a yoga class right on the banks of the river, and they even have an adventure concierge who will help you plan any experience you desire.
Dr. Diane petting the friendly and gentle horses on the ranch.
The Incredible Organic Garden
Now, let’s get to the food—one of the main reasons I wanted to experience this fantastic property. Many of the locally sourced ingredients used in the restaurants and bar come directly from their all-natural garden, an expansive plot of produce and herbs that Chef Luca and the culinary team incorporate into each restaurant and banquet menu.
Dr. Diane and Master Gardener Jamie.
We got a chance to meet the Master Gardener, Jamie, and tour the extensive plots she’s built. When Jamie came to Sorrel, she spent her first year building the soil foundation with manure, scraps, hay, and compost. She used recycled materials from barn wood and driftwood from the river, and, of course, the gardens are all organic, with no chemical pesticides – she uses diatomaceous earth as a natural pesticide.
We had a long conversation about the importance of growing organic food. She told me when you spray pesticides on plants, not only is that not healthy for us to eat, but all the energy in the plant goes to fighting off the pesticide and not into nutrition for the plant. Just another reason to eat organic if you want to get the most nutrients out of your food.
As you can imagine, growing anything in the desert is a challenge, and you constantly need compost to hold water. I was absolutely amazed by how many different types of fruits and vegetables she is able to grow, including strawberries, raspberries, celery, artisanal lettuces, broccoli, squash, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, mini pink popping corn, garlic, shallots, pumpkin, butternut squash, apples, peaches, asparagus, elderberry, beets, peas, carrots, cilantro, radish, potato, multitudes of peppers, eggplant, amaranth, edible flowers, and the already-impressive list goes on.
Freshly picked and delicious heirloom tomatoes and carrots.
Chef Luca and the culinary team collaborate with Jamie and her gardening team before each coming month to plan seasonal varieties. They also have a brand-new U-Pick Garden experience, offering visitors a unique opportunity to connect with nature and savor the joys of harvesting your own produce.
Dining and Drinks
After a long day of adventures, we relaxed at the Epic bar, which features plush seating, a roaring fireplace, and refined art that complemented a menu of international wines, craft brews, and artisanal mixed drinks. I had one of the best margaritas made with all local ingredients. For dinner, we had the burrata and heirloom tomato salad with Italian burrata cheese, heirloom cherry tomatoes, garden basil in an EVOO balsamic reduction, and the pan-fried local trout with sautéed farm spinach and blistered cherry tomatoes. Perfection!
Top: Outdoor dining at the ranch.
Bottom: Enjoy an artisanal cocktail at the EPIC bar
The Sorrel River Ranch offers an adventurous escape from the grind of daily life, where you can simply relax on your private porch and watch the Colorado River glide by or explore the amazing landscape all day. Visit www.sorrelriver.com to experience all the ranch has to offer.
Dr. Diane Hayden, PhD, is an entrepreneur, mindset warrior, perspective shifter, and unshakable optimist. She started a health and wellness publishing business with nothing more than passion, a laptop, and a dream, and has created a socially conscious print and digital platform that has touched thousands of people for nearly 20 years.