My little family and I took a trip to Southern Utah….Boulder, Utah to be exact. This was our first time visiting Boulder and the beauty of its true wilderness took us by surprise! Our destination was to check out Sweetwater Kitchen’s vegan menu and stay over night in their newly remodeled cabins.

Travel time from Salt Lake City is about 4 hours to this rustic-chic lodge and Southwestern eatery. The small town of Boulder has all the basic services you need including two gas stations, a postal office, coffee shop, restaurants, and a small grocery store. There is limited cell service so be prepared with a map and directions before departing. In fact my cell service was lost winding down the mountains before we approached the town. I enjoyed being disconnected from emails and social media, it made the experience and spending quality time with my family more enjoyable.

We visited during the first weekend of October and experienced the rainy Fall weather and even a bit of snow. It was a rainy drive down and we were eager to check into our cozy cabin!

Once arriving to the Ranch we checked in and the front desk agent introduced us to the area and graciously walked us around the property showing off its unique features.

Afterwards we settled into our newly renovated cabin (the finished wood aroma made the cabin even more cozy) and enjoyed some hot cocoa while we explored the outskirts around the cabin before heading to dinner.

This Tipi was located next door to our cabin. You have the option to stay inside a Tipi or Cabin.

Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch Communal Firepit

Sean and Graham standing outside the main lodge entrance.

We left our cabin and walked over to the main lodge at Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch. Inside they offer a fully organic, garden-to-table restaurant called, Sweetwater Kitchen. They source their food locally and 95% of all ingredients used are organic. One of my favorite parts of the menu was that they off a full liquor and wine menu. Being out in the middle of the desert and enjoying a fine dining meal with an extensive liquor menu was absolutely incredible!

The manager and server, Eva, graciously helped us to our table with a great view of the garden and property, she also helped us navigate the menu and inform us of their seasonal specials.
We started off with drinks, I ordered their Mexican Rose Tequila cocktail and Sean ordered a Lagunitas IPA, Graham stuck with his sippy cup of juice.

For our appetizer we got the organic house-made hummus with toasted focaccia bread, garden crudites, toasted walnuts and topped with basil oil. This hummus was without a doubt the best hummus of my life! OMG I have craved it everyday since we left the lodge!!!!

Next we ordered the Butternut (local) Squash Soup and the Arugula Salad with poached pears, miso sesame vinaigrette & spiced walnuts. After we placed the order, a few minutes later we saw the Chef run outside to the garden and pick off some Sage for our Butternut Squash soup! Sweetwater Kitchen is truly organic and a unique farm to table experience.

For our main entrees, I ordered the Stuffed Sweet Potato with black beans, guacamole and quinoa. Sean ordered the seasonal Squash & Kale salad with house made dressing and edible flowers. We had Graham enjoy their Garden Squash Taco with kale and black beans.

To finish off this amazing meal we tasted their Pear Soup Dessert! It was sweet and warm, a perfect way to end the night!

We were completely taken back by how outstanding the menu and entrees were (for being in the middle of the desert that is). To stumble upon such exquisite attention to detail and freshly organic food, was incredible! I can not express my how much my tastebuds enjoyed this food!

The presentation of the food was beautiful for both our palette and eyes. Eric Arballo has been the head chef at Sweetwater Kitchen for 7 years, and his talents are truly shown on your plate.

Now the menu is not completely vegan but they are able to customize your meal to fit any dietary needs. The staff at both Sweetwater and Boulder Mountain Ranch want you to have a one of a kind experience.

Organice house made hummus with toasted focaccia bread, garden crudités, toasted walnuts and topped with basil oil. (THE BEST HUMMUS OF MY LIFE)

View from our dining table overlooking the garden

Squash Taco with garden kale, black beans, pico, & guacamole

Arugula salad with poached pears, miso sesame vinagerette and spiced walnuts

Stuffed Sweet Potato with baked black beans, toasted kale, enchilada sauce, pico, guacamole, and quinoa.

Warm Pear Soup Dessert with edible flowers

We walked back to our cabin with full bellies and played a few card games while we listened to the rain storm (one of my all time favorite sounds). It was such a cozy atmosphere in our cabin and I loved cuddling in bed with my two boys while we drifted off to sleep.

We woke up the next morning, got ready and walked to the main lodge for breakfast. Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch offers a complimentary breakfast for everyone staying at the Ranch. All you have to do is fill out a menu sheet the day prior and submit your requests and the time you would prefer to eat, to the front desk. When you arrive in the dining room the waiter will have your prepared entrees ready.

They have a house made granola that is vegan friendly, and we added almond milk to create a yummy cereal. We also enjoyed warm toast and freshly cut fruit for breakfast.

Vegan friendly breakfast with a view of the kitchens garden

After breakfast we let Graham play around the cabin while Sean and I enjoyed coffee on the front porch. All of the fresh rain from the day before made the sage brush and plants smell wonderful.

We hiked to the waterfall below our cabin, then came back up and packed our bags to head back home.

But before we left Boulder we decided to drive around and check out Hell’s Backbone Rd/Bridge, a paved road through Dixie National Forest with sweeping views of sagebrush and pine forest with the alpine Boulder Mountain in the distance. A spectacular drive and view, definitely recommend it!

As we approached the peak of Hell’s Backbone Scenic Drive & Hell’s Backbone Bridge, it was foggy and full of snow. We were not able to experience the dramatic view of the bridge and canyon below, but still enjoyed learning about how it was built.

Its fall in October… I was not prepared for the Snow on this trip!

Our over all experience was beautiful and we are eager to come back in the summer and experience it with our family and friends. We plan on renting their large cabin that sleeps 12, while visiting nearby popular destinations like, Boulder Mail Trail, Lower Calf Creek Falls, Burr Trail Scenic Drive and hikes, Anasazi State Park & Museum, Escalante River, and Hole in The Rock Road.

Within minutes from Boulder Mountain Ranch, there are countless hikes, scenic vistas, and beautiful drives making Sweetwater Kitchen a perfect location for filling up after a desert adventure!

Driving down Boulder canyon and exploring all the fall leaves

For more information about the lodge, area, and activities check out their website…
www.bouldermountainguestranch.com

To see the entire menu and learn the history about this delicious kitchen head to… https://sweetwaterkitchen.com

Address: Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch

3621 Hell’s Backbone Rd

Boulder UT 84716

435.335.7482

Thank you to Eva and the wonderful staff at Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch for inviting us down to unwind and enjoy delicious vegan food and the natural beauty of their property.