Capitol Reef National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Other Guides for Capitol Reef National Park

Active and Adventure Destinations Near Capitol Reef National Park

Travel Guides Near Capitol Reef National Park

Mountain West Active and Adventure States/Provinces

Active and Adventure Travel Destinations

Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Cathedral Valley rises over Capitol Reef National Park, Utah (Bob Stefko/Photodisc/Getty)

Submit a travel tip about Capitol Reef National Park.
Read Our House Rules

Capitol Reef National Park Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Bill Weir

The Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the earth's crust, extends from nearby Thousand Lakes Mountain to the Colorado River (now Lake Powell). The park was established to protect this grand and colorful geologic feature, as well as the area around it.
Fifteen day-hiking trails begin within a short drive of the visitor center.
You can ascend 1,600 feet for a spectacular panorama of Capitol Reef and southeastern Utah by combining the Hickman Natural Bridge, Rim Overlook, and Navajo Knob Trails in about nine miles roundtrip.
Experienced canyon-country hikers can explore the narrow slot canyons of Burro Wash, Cottonwood Wash, and Sheets Gulch off the Notom-Bullfrog Road.

Capitol Reef National Park Overview

The unyielding blue of Utah's desert sky can play tricks on the mind. Fall under its spell and you might begin to see that blue dome as an inverted sea through which the sun's refracted rays illuminate the hypnotic Waterpocket Fold. The Fold is the defining geologic formation that makes up Capitol Reef National Park, a 100-mile stretch of buckled earth characterized by crimson cliffs, soaring spires, massive domes, serpentine canyons, graceful arches, stark monoliths, and silence. Read More

Ask a Question

Do you have a travel question about this destination or can you provide a tip to a fellow traveler?

Join the discussion with Away.com's in-house experts in our travel Q&A.

1 Questions | 1 Answers

driving tours is this park only for hiking or is there sufficient roads to view the park from. small walking trips are ok, .5 miles or less
Read 1 answer or Answer this question

Hotels

Lodge at Red River Ranch

2900 West Highway 24, P.O. Box 22
Teasdale, UT 84773 Map

Distance: 14.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Expert Rated & Recommended

Fruita Campground

Capitol Reef National Park, HC 70 Box 15
Torrey, UT 84775 Map

Distance: 10.2 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Expert Rated & Recommended

Calf Creek Recreation Area Campground

Escalante Interagency Center, 755 West Main Street
Escalante, UT 84726 Map

Distance: 22.9 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated

Expert Rated & Recommended

All Capitol Reef National Park Hotels »

Capitol Reef National Park, UT Hotel Prices Made Easy
Orbitz.com - Just Orbitz and go!
Hotel Deals in Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Expedia.com - Don't just travel. Travel right!
Save Big on all Capitol Reef National Park, UT Hotels!
Travelocity.com - Book now with Travelocity.
Book Now with Cheap Tickets and Save on Capitol Reef National Park, UT Hotels!
CheapTickets.com - Just click. You're there.
Find the best rates for hotels in Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Kayak.com - Life's a trip.
Find the best rates for hotels in Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Sidestep.com - Life's a trip.

Attractions

Hickman Natural Bridge, Rim Overlook, and Navajo Knobs Trails

2 miles east of the visitor center on the north side of UT 24
Capitol Reef National Park, HC 70 Box 15
Torrey, Utah 84775

Distance: 10.2 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

This "three-in-one" trail has a choice of destinations depending on how far you wish to hike.... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

Chimney Rock Trail

3 miles west of the visitor center on the north side of UT 24
Capitol Reef National Park, HC 70 Box 15
Torrey, Utah 84775

Distance: 13.3 mi. (from destination center)

Description: On this 3.5-mile loop trail, you'll have a fine panorama of Capitol Reef and get a close look at... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

Calf Creek Falls Trail

Calf Creek Recreation Area, 15.5 miles east of Escalante on UT 12
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, 755 W. Main
Escalante, Utah 84726

Distance: 26.2 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Calf Creek Falls drops 126 feet into a pool, creating a cool and verdant setting even on a hot... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended

All Capitol Reef National Park Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Capitol Reef National Park

	Distance (mi.)
Salt Lake City International Airport	187.1 map
Las Vegas Mccarran International Airport	262.9 map

Other Smaller Airports near Capitol Reef National Park

	Distance (mi.)
Moab Canyonlands Field	87.8 map
Cortez Montezuma County Airport	150.1 map
Saint George Municipal Airport	152.4 map

More Airports

Flight Deals to Capitol Reef National Park

Originating	From
Denver (DEN) to Salt Lake City (SLC)	$106
Las Vegas (LAS) to Salt Lake City (SLC)	$140
San Diego (SAN) to Salt Lake City (SLC)	$157
Kansas City (MKC) to Salt Lake City (SLC)	$168
Oakland (OAK) to Salt Lake City (SLC)	$177

See all flight deals to Salt Lake City (SLC)

See fares originating from Salt Lake City (SLC)

Feature Articles

GORP - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah - Mountain Biking
gorp
Heyduke Hike
outside
An 812-mile effort to revive the spirit, if not the tactics, of the West's most notorious monkey-wrencher
GORP - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah - Hiking, backpacking, hike, trekking, trails
gorp
GORP - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah - Headquarters Canyon, hiking, hike, backpacking, trails
gorp
GORP - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah - Frying Pan Trail, Hiking, hike, backpacking, trails
gorp

More Capitol Reef National Park Active and Adventure Feature Articles (26) »

See All Feature Articles on Capitol Reef National Park »

Trip Ideas

GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

Grand Staircase: Wind & Water on the Colorado Plateau
O.A.R.S
from $4749, 12 days
Truly the most comprehensive exploration of the national parks of the Desert Southwest. In 12 days, we explore the scenic red rock mesas, spires,...
Utah - Capitol Reef and The Grand Staircase Hiker
Timberline Adventures
from $1895, 6 days
Of all the hiking programs that we have crafted in the course of the 14 years since we launched our first Grand Canyon Hike, none has posed a greater...
Utah's Canyon Country Classic Biker
Timberline Adventures
from $2795, 10 days
The Canyon Country Classic is an adventure that offers some of the Southwest's most exciting cycling terrain remotely tucked within the eastern...

See All Adventure Trips & Guided Tours from GORPtravel »