Welcome to part three of our Faces of Bryce Canyon Country Series! We have loved getting to know those who make this area a fantastic place to visit, live and explore. Read through this month’s featured guests to find out their favorite restaurants, hikes, and unique places you didn’t even know existed in the area!
These wonderful people are the experts when it comes to visiting Bryce Canyon Country. The trails and parks are literally in their backyard. When planning your next trip or even your first to Bryce Canyon Country, add their recommendations to your itinerary.
Geni Senary
- How long have you lived in Garfield County? What city do you live in? If you’re not from Garfield County, what brought you there? I live in Tropic. This is where I grew up and went to both Bryce Valley Elementary and Bryce Valley High School. I moved away after high school for about 10 years and then decided to move back with my own family five years ago.
- If applicable, what is the name of your business or place of employment? I currently teach kindergarten at Bryce Valley Elementary School and am the co-owner of Bryce Canyon EZ Riders, which is an electric bike rental business located at the Bryce Canyon Airport.
- What is your favorite thing about living in Garfield County? My favorite thing about living in Garfield County is the amazing natural beauty that we are surrounded by. We have forests, lakes, waterfalls and of course beautiful Bryce Canyon, all in our backyard. It doesn’t get much better than that.
- What is one of your favorite places to explore in Garfield County? I absolutely love the Escalante area. My family really enjoys the drive over and we frequently take our children to Wide Hollow Reservoir and Posey Lake. Calf Creek Falls is one of our favorite hikes and we always take our family and friends there when they come to visit.
- What is your favorite local restaurant? My favorite local restaurant is Stone Hearth Grille in Tropic. It’s hard to find a really great meal and Stone Hearth always hits the mark. It’s classy and upscale but extremely laid back and comfortable at the same time. I highly recommend eating there if you get the chance.
- Do you have a favorite hidden gem in Garfield County? This isn’t exactly hidden but the bike trail through Red Canyon is awesome. We enjoy taking our kids for short trips down and back. It’s maintained well and you can’t beat the views!
- Do you have any advice for people visiting Garfield County? My advice for anyone visiting Garfield County would be not to limit yourself to just Bryce Canyon. Although it’s our county’s main focal point, we have many incredible activities and sights to see. You can make use of an entire week exploring the surrounding areas.
You can follow Bryce Canyon EZ Riders on both Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on their new bikes, discounts, and pictures of the county.
Jordan and Tari Cottam
- How long have you lived in Garfield County? What city do you live in? If you’re not from Garfield County, what brought you there? We were both born and raised in Garfield County. Since graduating from high school, life has taken us to many different places but we have been back “home” for 1.5 years. We live in Escalante. COVID layoffs brought us back.
- If applicable, what is the name of your business or place of employment? Driven Fitness and Physical Therapy and Escalante High School.
- What is your favorite thing about living in Garfield County? The variety of things to do and how quickly you can get to amazing places. Also, being close to family.
- What is one of your favorite places to explore in Garfield County? Devil’s Garden is so fun to explore.
- What is your favorite local restaurant? i.d.k bbq, Cowboy Smokehouse, Henrie’s Drive-In and Canyon Country Lodge Grill.
- Do you have a favorite hidden gem in Garfield County? Cosmic Ashtray/Eye of the Needle.
- Do you have any advice for people visiting Garfield County? When you come, plan to stay awhile. There is so much to see and do and you can’t do it all in a couple of days. Properly prepare for your trip by researching the trails you will be on, what you need for the hike and emergency preparedness items in case you get in a bind.
You can follow Jordan’s company, Driven Fitness and Physical Therapy on Facebook and Instagram.
Kaden Figgins
- How long have you lived in Garfield County? What city do you live in? If you’re not from Garfield County, what brought you there?I am now 26 and I have lived in Garfield County (Panguitch) for the last 24 years.
- If applicable, what is the name of your business or place of employment?Garfield County (local government)
- What is your favorite thing about living in Garfield County?My favorite thing about living in Garfield County is the low cost of living, excellent quality of life and endless outdoor recreation opportunities. My wife and I spend most of our time camping, hiking, fishing and enjoying the scenic backways in the county.
- What is one of your favorite places to explore in Garfield County?I love hiking in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (GSENM) and fishing on Boulder Mountain.
- What is your favorite local restaurant?My favorite restaurant in the county would be a tie between Burr Trail Grill in Boulder and Stone Hearth Grille in Tropic.
- Do you have a favorite hidden gem in Garfield County?Not much is hidden in Garfield County anymore but there are some excellent hikes in the GSENM and lakes on the Boulder Mountain where you can experience it all to yourself.
- Do you have any advice for people visiting Garfield County?Hike in the GSENM, drive scenic Highway 12, ride an e-bike through Red Canyon, rent a pontoon at Panguitch Lake, shoot some pool at the Outlaw Saloon in Hatch, eat at my favorite restaurants and stop and visit Falyn in the Office of Tourism!
To learn more about where Kaden works follow Garfield County on Facebook and Instagram.
Callie Ward
- How long have you lived in Garfield County? What city do you live in? If you’re not from Garfield County, what brought you there? We have lived in Garfield County since the summer of 2017. We live north of Panguitch in the old community of Spry. Our family moved from Cache Valley because we wanted to raise our kids in a small, rural community to attend good schools, live in the country and enjoy great recreational opportunities. Hunting, mountain biking, hiking, and ATVing are some of our favorite things to do, so Garfield County was a great pick! I was offered a job to serve Garfield County through the Utah State University Extension. I get to travel and help the fantastic communities across the whole county.
- If applicable, what is the name of your business or place of employment? Utah State University Extension
- What is your favorite thing about living in Garfield County? Nothing beats southern Utah’s hospitality and charm! My favorite thing about Garfield County is the diversity of things to explore: the food options, vast and varied topography and the love of community.
- What is one of your favorite places to explore in Garfield County? There are too many to list! But nothing beats your backyard, especially when you can watch the sunset over Sandy Peak and you’re seconds away from ATV trails.
- What is your favorite local restaurant? Burgers are my thing and we have two of the best burger joints in the state in our county! Antimony Merc and The Burr Trail Grill.
- Do you have a favorite hidden gem in Garfield County? Yes — will I tell you? Probably not! You do have to have 4×4 and go on a dirt road. Message me and buy me a Thai Burger at the Burr Trail Grill and then I’ll give you more details.
- Do you have any advice for people visiting Garfield County? Spend more than a day, and don’t spend it all at Bryce Canyon! Though Bryce is AMAZING and by far the Mightiest of the Mighty Five, take time to do the whole county from Panguitch Lake, Red Canyon to Willis Creek, all the way to the Burr Trail and Hite Overlook. You will be astonished by everything there is to see in Garfield County.
You can follow Carrie on her personal Instagram or keep up with her family’s travels on their Instagram account. To learn more about Carrie’s work at Utah State University follow them on Facebook.
Come Visit Bryce Canyon Country
We hope you’ve been able to learn a little more about what makes Bryce Canyon Country unique and filled with a variety of activities. Take their advice, explore some lesser-known areas, try a new restaurant and talk to the residents when you visit Bryce Canyon Country. They would love to share information about their favorite places.
