Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn

The honest review

Ruby's Inn is not a sleek, modern resort — and that is exactly the point. It is a sprawling, ranch-style complex that has grown up around a single family's century-old outpost at the edge of Bryce Canyon, and the charm is genuine. The moment you arrive, the western village atmosphere sets the tone: a row of rustic shop fronts, a massive general store with camping gear and souvenirs, a barn-style restaurant, and that big open Utah sky overhead. For families, few places in the region match the density of things to do without ever getting back in the car.

The indoor heated pool is the first thing kids will ask about — it is reliable year-round, which matters because Bryce Canyon sits at 8,000 feet and summer evenings can be genuinely cold. The outdoor pool adds capacity during the warmer months. The hot tub is popular with parents after a long day on the trail. None of these facilities are resort-luxe, but they are well-maintained and functional.

The standout family activity is Ebenezer's Barn and Grill, the cowboy dinner show that runs seasonally in the evenings. Guests sit at long communal tables inside a converted barn, load up on a chuckwagon buffet of steak, chicken, salmon, and all the sides, then watch a live country music and comedy performance. It is corny in the best way — elementary-age kids tend to be completely captivated, and even skeptical tweens usually come around. This is the kind of memory that outlasts any hike.

Horseback riding through Ruby's outfitter, Ruby's Horseback Adventures, is another highlight. Rides depart for trails along the canyon rim and surrounding forest, with 90-minute options well-suited to families whose kids are at least seven years old. Guides are experienced and the terrain gives riders genuine views of the hoodoos without requiring technical skill.

Rooms are solidly above average for the area. The two-room family suite, with two queens in the main room and a separate queen in an adjoining room, is a practical layout for families of four or five who want some bedtime separation. Standard rooms include a refrigerator and microwave, which helps with snacks and leftovers. The full breakfast buffet, included with the stay, eliminates one of the morning logistics headaches of park travel.

The location is the single biggest argument for Ruby's over any competitor: it sits directly across the highway from the park entrance. You can be at the rim trail in under ten minutes. That proximity changes the rhythm of a family trip — you can do a morning hike, return for lunch and a pool break, and head back out for golden-hour photos without burning half your day in transit.

Peak summer rates push toward $250–$300 a night, which feels steep for a mid-tier hotel. But once you factor in the included breakfast, the on-site activities, and the elimination of any meaningful commute to the park, the value calculus shifts. If Bryce Canyon is the anchor of your Utah trip, Ruby's Inn is the most logical family headquarters.