Planning a visit to Capitol Reef National Park? Here’s all you need to know.

Of Utah’s ‘Mighty Five’ National Parks, Capitol Reef National Park may be the one you are least familiar with. Capitol Reef National Park possesses incredible beauty, including arches, narrow canyons, rocky spires, domes, and the iconic Cathedral Valley. Many of Capitol Reef’s unique rock features were created by the Waterpocket Fold, a massive 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth’s crust which resembles a reef. The relatively light foot-traffic at Capitol Reef National Park makes for a truly special experience as visitors can soak in the grandeur of Utah’s natural beauty – without the crowds.

 Here is all you need to know:

What we loved:

• No crowds
• Plenty of public land camping
• Fruita Orchards: u-pick apples, pears, peaches, apricots, cherries. Learn which fruits are in season.

What to keep in mind:

• HOT in summer- don’t forget to bring plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen.
• High-clearance & 4-wheel drive needed for The Cathedral Valley District. The entire valley takes 6-8 hours to traverse.
• Best times to visit: March-October

Hiking

Hiking in Capitol Reef National Park offers beautiful vistas, canyons, arches, and views of the Waterpocket Fold. Here are our favorite hikes in the park.

Chimney Rock Loop

Distance: 3.3 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time: 2 hours, Elevation Gain: 793 ft., Type: Loop

Chimney Rock is a massive natural spire carved from the softer surrounding stone of the mesa. The trail starts with strenuous switchbacks for the first quarter mile and then levels out to a gentle incline as you approach the southern side of Chimney Rock. Most hikers hike this trail counterclockwise. This trail is very exposed, so consider an early morning or scenic sunset hike.

Hickman Bridge

Distance: 1.8 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time: 1.5 hours, Elevation Gain: 442 ft., Type: Out & Back

This family-friendly trail sits next to Capitol Dome, a white rock dome which strongly resembles the Washington D.C. Capitol building. The trail forms a small loop at the terminus where you can take in scenic views of the valley. Keep an eye out for the Nels Johnson Bridge in addition to the Hickman Bridge on this trail.

Cassidy Arch

If you only have time to hike one trail in Capitol Reef National Park, I would pick Cassidy Arch. This impressive arch is wide enough to walk across- don’t forget the camera. There are 2 trail options to reach Cassidy Arch:

Cassidy Arch Trail: Distance: 3.1 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time: 2 hours, Elevation Gain: 666 ft., Type: Out & Back

Cassidy Arch, Cohab Canyon, and Frying Pan Trail: Distance: 10.0 miles Out & Back or 5.0 miles Point to Point, Difficulty: Moderate/Hard, Time: 3-6 hours, Elevation Gain: 1,459 ft., Type: Out & Back or Point to Point if you have 2 vehicles

If you have 2 vehicles and would like to hike this point to point, park one vehicle at the Cassidy Arch trailhead and then drive north to Fruita and park at the Cohab Canyon trailhead. This trail takes you up several switchbacks to Cohab Canyon trail. After about one mile, you will see a marker for the Frying Pan trail which will take you south towards Cassidy Arch. The undulating Frying Pan trail takes you over large slabs of slickrock and offers panoramic views of the park. If you are in decent shape and have plenty of water, I would be sure to do this one. Reward yourself with a pie or cinnamon roll from Gifford House afterwards.       

Golden Throne Trail

Distance: 4.0 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time: 2 hours, Elevation Gain: 777 ft., Type: Out & Back

This trail takes you along the north edge of Capitol Gorge and leads to the massive sandstone Golden Throne.

Grand Wash Trail via Capitol Reef Scenic Dr.

Distance: 6.9 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time: 3.5 hours, Elevation Gain: 557 ft., Type: Out & Back

Sulphur Creek Route

Distance: 5.8 miles, Difficulty: Moderate, Time 3 hours, Elevation Gain: 410 ft., Type: Point to Point

Most hikers complete this river canyon trail as a point to point hike starting at a large pullout south of the highway near Chimney Rock. You will need to park your second car at the visitors center. The waterfalls offer a welcome break from the heat but be prepared to get wet if you choose this hike.

Scenic Overlooks

These overlooks in Capitol Reef National Park do not require any real hiking, and are close to where you can park your car.

• Goosenecks Overlook
• Sunset Point
• Panorama Point
• Fremont River Trail Viewpoint

Historical Points of Interest

• Fruita Schoolhouse
• Petroglyphs
• Gifford Homestead
• Ripple Rock Nature Center
• Highway 12 Scenic Byway to Escalante and Bryce Canyon National Park

Camping / Lodging:

There are plenty of options for camping and lodging in the area – both within and near the park as well as in the nearby town of Torrey.

Camping

Fruita Campground: This campground is located within the park and sits next to the Fremont River and the orchards planted by the original settlers. The campground is open year-round and sites can be reserved from March-October. Reservations are $20/night. Each site has its own picnic table, firepit and/or grill. Restrooms with flush toilets and potable water are available.

Public Land Sites (BLM): You can also find campsites on public land which are free. We found 2 areas just off of Utah state route 24 between the town of Torrey and the west entrance to Capitol Reef. See map for the coordinates. Just keep in mind that these are first-come first-serve and will be primitive sites – so no toilets or running water.

Backcountry Camping: Backcountry permits are available at the visitor’s center.

Cedar Mesa Campground: This primitive campground has 5 no-fee sites with a pit toilet, picnic tables, and fire grates. It is 23 miles south of highway 24 on Notom-Bullfrog road. You should check at the visitor center for road conditions prior to your trip. The Red Canyon Trail starts at this campground.                        

Cathedral Valley Campground: This remote campground is located 36 miles from the visitor center along the Cathedral Valley Loop. The 6 sites have a pit toilet, picnic tables, and fire grates but no water.

RV Parks

Wonderland RV Park: RV sites, log cabins, tent sites, and a sheepcamp wagon. Check out their site for rates.

Thousand Lakes RV Park: RV park, shaded tent sites, cabins that can sleep 6, pool, and Jeep rentals.

Hotels:

Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel: Cabins and motel rooms. Standard rooms start at $60/night. Pets are allowed but add a $15 cleaning fee. Get a giant cinnamon roll from the general store to fuel your morning hike!

Broken Spur Inn and Steakhouse: Rooms start at $85/night. No pets. Hot breakfast buffet included with room.

The Rim Rock Inn and Restaurant: Rooms are $80-100/night and $10/night for pets to stay in the room. Cabins are also available for $150-170/night

Red River Ranch: Located in Teasdale, 8.4 miles west of Capitol Reef. Rooms in this luxurious lodge start at $205. Eat breakfast at their restaurant and order a sack lunch to eat in the park.

About Torrey (1 mile outside of park)        

Located on State Route 24, the small town of Torrey, UT is the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park. Despite its small size, Torrey has a variety of accommodations and restaurants for your trip to Capitol Reef.

Restaurants

Slacker’s Burger Joint: 1950’s style burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and ice cream

Red Cliff Restaurant: Pizza and American food

Capitol Reef Café: cozy café and healthy, locally-sourced ingredients

Austin’s Chuckwagon Deli: breakfast, baked goods, hot and cold deli sandwiches to go for your lunch in the park

Shopping and Other Things to Do

Austin’s Chuckwagon General Store: grocery and camping items located next to the motel

Gallery 24: art gallery

Robbers Roost a Torrey Hideout: coffee, baked goods, guitars and new and used bookstore

Velvet Ridge Trail: lightly-used trail for mountain biking and hiking

Scenic drive along State Route 24: out and back trip, I think the east to west drive is the most scenic.

Weekend Itinerary

Day 1:

Breakfast: Grab breakfast at your hotel or in Torrey

Hike: Cassidy Arch Trail or Cohab Canyon, Frying Pan, and Cassidy Arch Trail

Lunch: Sack lunch or drive into Torrey

Tour the Park: Grab a coffee or ice cream and enjoy a drive along Utah State Route 24 or head south from the visitors center along the 8-mile Scenic Drive.

Pick some fruit at Fruita orchards

Check out the petroglyphs

Hike: Hickman Bridge Trail

Dinner: Dinner in Torrey

Sunset at drive up features: Sunset Point, Goosenecks, or Panorama Point

Day 2:

Option 1: The Cathedral Valley Loop Tour

If you have a high clearance vehicle with four wheel drive, you can spend 6-8 hours driving through Capitol Reef’s Cathedral Valley District. Cathedral Valley is well known for it’s majestic Entrada sandstone monoliths jutting up from the desert floor as well as Glass mountain, made of selenite crystals. The road conditions can vary greatly so be sure to check on the conditions at the visitor center. You cannot rely on cell service out there so be sure to have plenty of fuel and water. You can rent a Jeep if your own vehicle can’t handle the rugged 57.6 mile road. There are several hiking opportunities along this route as well.

Option 2: Hiking in Fruita District

Hike: Golden Throne Trail

Lunch: Have a picnic lunch in the park and visit the Gifford House for a pie or other treats

Hike: Chimney Rock Loop Trail

Dinner: Dinner in Torrey

If you’re planning a longer visit, you should also try to fit these in:

• Grand Wash Trail via Capitol Reef Scenic Dr.
• Sulphur Creek Route

Summary

From arches to domes, winding canyons and glass mountains, Capitol Reef National Park is a gallery of southern Utah’s majestic beauty. Whether you chose to hike or take a rugged drive through the Cathedral Valley District, you can’t go wrong. Get away from the crowds and spend a weekend exploring Capitol Reef.