Capitol Reef National Park guides
12 in-depth guides to Capitol Reef National Park, in reading order: what to see, how to get around, and what to know before you go. Back to the Capitol Reef National Park overview.
Spring and Fall Hiking Weather and Road Conditions
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for hiking and backpacking at Capitol Reef.
The Waterpocket Fold: A 100-Mile Wrinkle
The Waterpocket Fold is a monocline, a long bend in the rock layers that runs about 100 miles through south-central Utah, and Capitol Reef National Park protects much of it.
Hickman Bridge, Cassidy Arch and Beyond
Hickman Bridge is the shorter of the two popular hikes. The round trip covers 1.8 miles and gains about 400 feet, and most people should allow two to three hours.
The 24-Mile Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
The Capitol Reef Scenic Drive is a 7.9-mile paved road that suits passenger vehicles, and it forms the core of the park along with Highway 24.
Gold Tier Dark Skies and Heritage Starfest
In April 2015, Capitol Reef National Park earned Gold Tier status as an International Dark Sky Park.
From Fremont Petroglyphs to Pioneer Settlers
The Fremont Culture lived in the region for roughly a thousand years. Archaeologists named them after the Fremont River canyon, where they were first identified as a distinct culture.
Desert Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer and Pronghorn
Green stands out most in the riparian corridors near Fruita, where cottonwoods and willows grow along the rivers.
Sagebrush, Pinyon and Juniper Desert Plants
In the drier parts of the park, sagebrush is one of the plants you are most likely to notice.
Camping at Fruita, Cedar Mesa and Cathedral Valley
Fruita Campground is the park's only developed campground, with 71 sites in the Fruita Historic District, which many regard as the heart of Capitol Reef.
Fruita's Orchards and Historic District
Many people consider Fruita the center of Capitol Reef National Park. For thousands of years, people have lived in this green valley along the Fremont River.
Driving the Cathedral Valley Loop
The Cathedral Valley Loop takes you into the far northern part of Capitol Reef National Park, a remote district reached only by gravel roads.
Looping the Fold: Muley Twist and Strike Valley
The Waterpocket Fold is a tilted wrinkle in the Earth's crust, nearly 100 miles long. The Loop the Fold drive circles part of it in the remote south, taking roughly a full day.
