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Torrey is a tiny Utah town that makes a great base for visiting Capitol Reef National Park, which is just a few miles to the east.
Introduction to Torrey, Utah
Torrey was originally settled as Youngtown by Mormon pioneers in the 1880s. It was named for John Willard Young (1844-1924), a leader of the LDS Church. It was later renamed for Jay L. Torrey, who was a member of the Wyoming legislature and the colonel of the 2nd Regiment during the Spanish-American War. The town was incorporated in 1934.
With the creation of Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey has transitioned from an agricultural community to a tourism hub. While there are tourist facilities such as accommodation and restaurants, it retains its small town feel.
Where to Stay in Torrey, Utah
We stayed one night in town.
Broken Spur Inn
We stayed at the Broken Spur Inn, which provides comfortable rooms and friendly service along with a delicious breakfast. I don’t think we could have found a better place to stay for our trip to Capitol Reef. The Broken Spur Inn is open seasonally, from March 1 to November 10.
The Chuckwagon
While we didn’t stay there, we stopped at the Chuckwagon (formerly Austin’s Chuckwagon) to do our laundry. They also have a motel, deli, and general store. The laundromat was a lifesaver!
Where to Eat in Torrey, Utah
We had a couple meals in Torrey.
Broken Spur Steakhouse
We didn’t have to wander too far from our hotel room for a meal. The attached Broken Spur Steakhouse is great for dinner, and I enjoyed my hearty steak with a side of mashed potatoes.
Capitol Reef Inn and Cafe (Permanently Closed)
For another dinner we visited the Capitol Reef Inn and Cafe. Attached to an eponymous inn, they have a fairly big menu with lots of choices for all tastes. I had the chicken fajitas. Everything is reasonably priced and we were satisfied.
