Parka

Capitol Reef National Park hiking guide

Grand Wash Trail

A 4.8-mile out-and-back with 210 ft of climbing in Fruita Historic District, rated easy.

Grand Wash Trail, Capitol Reef National Park
Photo: toddwendy

Key facts

Length
4.8 mi (7.7 km)
Elevation gain
210 ft (65 m)
Route type
Out and back
Difficulty
Easy
Area
Fruita Historic District
Highest point
5,421 ft
Lowest point
5,204 ft

About Grand Wash Trail

Cutting through the upper portion of the Waterpocket Fold, this gorge offers stunning views of towering canyon walls. The trail follows a wash, providing a flat and easy path through a landscape carved by ancient water flows. A highlight is the short but spectacular narrows section, reminiscent of a miniature Zion Narrows. The surrounding rock formations are honeycombed with holes, offering numerous spots for exploration and photography. The trail connects two main roads, allowing for either a round trip or a shuttle hike, making it accessible for various hiking preferences.

Route map

Route map of Grand Wash Trail in Capitol Reef National Park0.5 miN
Start and finishNorth is up. Drawn from the route in the Parka app.

This route was checked by Parka editors.

Elevation profile

Elevation profile of Grand Wash Trail5,2005,3005,40001234Distance (miles)Elevation (ft)High 5,421 ftLow 5,204 ft
Elevation runs from 5,204 ft to 5,421 ft over 4.7 miles of mapped route. The profile is sampled from elevation data along the route.

Nearby in Fruita Historic District

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