Capitol Reef National Park Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

Capitol Reef National Park Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Panoramic of Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Cathedral Valley, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah (Bob Stefko/Photodisc/Getty)
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Capitol Reef National Park Parks and Outdoors Travel Tips

By Kim Lipker

  • The park tends to attract hikers, rock climbers, mountain bikers, and equestrian explorers who prefer solitude to trendy social scenes. As the least visited of Utah's five national parks, this vast and wild frontier still offers a glimpse of America before it was settled by a civilization intent on paving the planet.
  • The only developed campground in Capitol Reef National Park is the Fruita Campground. It has 71 sites and is located south of the visitor center in the Fruita Historic District. The campground is surrounded by historic orchards and sits next to the Fremont River. Backcountry camping is also an option.
  • From the visitor center, head for the park’s 25-mile scenic drive. On this route, you will have many stops. The first begins with the Fruita Historic District, which shows the remnants of an 1880s Mormon frontier community. You will also see Cassidy Arch, Capitol Gorge, an abundance of Fremont Indian petroglyphs, the Hickman Bridge, and the Behunin Cabin, a tiny stone cabin that once housed a family of ten.
  • Explore Capitol Reef on horseback via the Old Wagon Trail, with access to Miners Mountain and good views of the famous Waterpocket Fold. Or try the South Draw, with access to Tantalus Flats and Boulder Mountain or return down Pleasant Creek.

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

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  • 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
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Hotels

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 favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
4.0

SkyRidge Inn

P.O. Box 750220, 950 E. Hwy 24
Torrey, UT 84775 Map

Distance: 16.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
5.0

Aquarius Inn

240 West Main St.
Bicknell, UT 84715 Map

Distance: 24.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
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Attractions

Cathedral Canyon Loop

expert favorite attraction
northern section of the park
Capitol Reef National Park, HC 70 Box 15
Torrey, Utah 84775

Distance: 11.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This loop in the park's far north will appeal to adventurous mountain bikers looking for a... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0

Anasazi State Park

Boulder, 28 miles northeast of Escalante
P.O. Box 1429
Boulder, Utah 84716-1429

Distance: 22.4 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Exhibits and the ancient village site offer a perspective of the prehistoric people who lived in... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
3_0

Hickman Natural Bridge, Rim Overlook, and Navajo Knobs Trails

expert favorite attraction
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
5_0
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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

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

Feature Articles

More Capitol Reef National Park Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (4) »
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