Red Cliffs Lodge
The scenic drive along Highway 128 is world famous thanks to the dozens of movies, TV shows and commercials starring this landscape. Perched along the banks of the Colorado, the Red Cliffs lodge is the perfect respite for the starry eyed and weary traveler! My kids lost interest in the Museum a lot faster than I did, but sending them out to the playground meant we both had something interesting to do!
These views and amenities are available right off the parking lot. The wagons, teepees and dock are just south of the lodge. Pool, Gym, Tennis Courts, Locker Rooms and other lodging amenities reserved for registered guests of Red Cliffs Lodge and subject to availability.
- Dining Open to the Public: The Cowboy Grill (Seasonal)
- History Open to the Public: Moab Museum of Film & Western Heritage
- Bagged Lunches, Cold Beer & Soda available from the fridge in the Gift Shop
Adventure Details
- Highlights: Views of the Colorado, Movie Museum
- Snacks & Drinks in the gift shop
- Plumbed Bathrooms!
- Horseback Riding
Photo Guides
from Jake the Photographer
Colorado River
Just barely East of Red Cliffs Lodge there is a grassy view of this spectacular hairpin curve of the mighty Colorado river with the spectacular 2000-foot cliffs above. Walk to the edge of the fence but not past it and you can get the top of the vegetation in the foreground. Remember, every hour of every day presents a different showing of clouds and light! This one
Shot Details
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
1/160 sec at f / 10 ISO 100
16mm focal length
November 19, 2021 at 12:32 PM
38°40’49.77″ N
109°26’47.82″ W
4,038.4 ft Altitude
Docks on the Colorado
If you follow the dirt trail East past the wagons you’ll find a mostly un-marked path to the wooden dock which hundreds of visitors use every summer for a quick lunch break on their float down the river. For photographers the lines in the dock add a nice bit of perspective adding to the scale of the scene and definitely worth the five minute walk, but be careful like most docks it is NOT stable. Enter at your own risk and keep children and vulnerable AWAY from the docks at ALL times as there is NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY on the Colorado!
Shot Details
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
1/250 sec at f / 10 ISO 100
16mm focal length
November 19, 2021 at 12:37 PM
38°40’47.514″ N
109°26’44.43″ W
3,918.0 ft Altitude
Full Frost Moon Over the Colorado River
Shooting at night is always a little trickier, night modes on modern camera phones may let you grab a shot without a tripod but if you have an SLR you are going to want a tripod for the clearest shot.
Shot Details
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
5.0 seconds at f / 3.2 ISO 1250
28mm focal length
January 18, 2022 at 8:11 PM
38°40’49.872″ N
109°26’48.318″ W
4,061.4 ft Altitude
Slice of History
Above the docks and along the river you don’t want to miss this collection of authentic pieces of history. A hundred years ago this would have been high technology in the West, today it is a great spot for a quiet recollection on this gateway to the past.
Shot Details
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
1/160 sec at f / 10 ISO 100
32mm focal length
November 19, 2021 at 12:41 PM
38°40’48.27″ N
109°26’44.04″ W
3,955.1 ft Altitude
Slice of History
Above the docks and along the river you don’t want to miss this collection of authentic pieces of history. A hundred years ago this would have been high technology in the West, today it is a great spot for a quiet recollection on this gateway to the past.
Shot Details
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
1/160 sec at f / 10 ISO 100
32mm focal length
November 19, 2021 at 12:41 PM
38°40’48.27″ N
109°26’44.04″ W
3,955.1 ft Altitude
A Great Place to Reflect
Take a walk out behind the lodge onto the Patio for a great view of the cliffs and the river, but also this wooden structure with large panes of glass make for a great photo subject too!
Shot Details
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
1/50 sec at f / 10 ISO 100
16mm focal length
November 19, 2021 at 1:02 PM
38°40’50.79″ N
109°26’49.476″ W
4,045.3 ft Altitude
Epic Playground
Even simple things like tether ball, swings and horse-shoes just feel more adventurous amongst these cliffs.
Shot Details
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM
1/250 sec at f / 10 ISO 100
24mm focal length
November 19, 2021 at 1:08 PM
38°40’49.944″ N
109°26’52.398″ W
4,147.3 ft Altitude