Capitol Reef sits in the center of Utah’s national park wonderland and there is a plethora of exciting options for recreational pursuit in this bizarre park. This is home to a geologic feature known as the Waterpocket Fold, a one hundred mile rift in the Earth’s surface that offers endless adventure in one of the coolest parks in all of Utah.
Here are some of Park Junkie’s favorite activities in Capitol Reef.
Guide to Capitol Reef
Hiking in Capitol Reef
There is no shortage of choices when it comes to hiking in Capitol Reef. Along the main Hwy 24 corridor, there are no less than fifteen different trails that can accommodate a variety of hiking abilities.
Further out in the park, the trails become a bit more challenging, and some may be better described as routes. These are the areas where a hiker pays for his views, but rarely does such an adventurer complain about the cost.
read moreMost of Capitol Reef’s trails are listed below. For convenience trails are separated into regions and are listed in alphabetical order. Click on the underlined trail name for link to more complete trail description.
Utah Highway 24 Hikes
| TRAIL | LOCATION | LENGTH | Difficulty & NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cassidy Arch | Grand Wash Trailhead | 3.4 miles | S – Trail to massive arch amid spectacular red rock playground. Can also be reached from Grand Wash on Scenic Drive. |
| Chimney Rock | Chimney Rock Trailhead – North side of Ut-24 | 3.6 miles | M – Loop Trail to Mesa Top |
| Chimney Rock Canyon | Chimney Rock Trailhead – North side of Ut-24 | 9.7 miles 1-way | S – Hike through magnificent slick rock canyon. River crossing – check water levels |
| Frying Pan | Grand Wash Trailhead | 5.8 miles | S – Connects Cohab Canyon with Grand Wash |
| Goosenecks | Goosenecks Trailhead | .5 miles | E – Short hike with incredible views |
| Hickman Bridge | Hickman Bridge Trailhead | 1.8 miles | M – Self-guiding trail to natural bridge |
| Navajo Knobs | Hickman Bridge Trailhead | 9.4 miles | S – Trail leads to viewpoint high above surrounding scenery – past Rim Overlook |
Scenic Drive Hikes
| TRAIL | LOCATION | LENGTH | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capitol Gorge | Capitol Gorge Road | 2 miles | E – Short climb to water pockets |
| Cohab Canyon | Fruita Campground | 3.4 miles | M – Hike through secluded canyon to overlook |
| Fremont Gorge Overlook | Fruita Blacksmith Shop | 4.6 miles | S – Steep climb to mesa top with great views |
| Fremont River | Fruita Campground | 2 miles | M – Hike leads along river to hilltop view |
| Golden Throne | Capitol Gorge Road | 4 miles | S – Short, steep climb to view of Golden Throne |
| Old Wagon Trail | Old Wagon Trailhead -Scenic Drive | 3.8 miles | S – Hike through piñon & juniper to excellent viewpoint |
Notom Road
| TRAIL | location | LENGTH | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burro Wash | 7.8 mi S of Hwy 24 | 3.4 miles | S – Slot canyon – no trail – Only experienced canyoneers should attempt this hike |
| Cottonwood Wash | 9 mi S of Hwy 24 | 4.5 – 6 miles – varies | S – Slot canyon – no trail – Only experienced canyoneers should attempt this hike |
| Headquarters Canyon | 35 mi S of Hwy 24 | 3.4 miles | E – Quick access to classic Utah slot canyon |
| Red Canyon Trail | 21 mi S of Hwy 24 | 4.5 miles | M – Leads to amphitheater of red rock needles |
| Sheets Gulch | 13 mi S of Hwy 24 | 9 miles | S – Slot canyon – No trail – Only experienced canyoneers should attempt this hike |
| Surprise Canyon | 34 mi S of Hwy 24 | 2 miles | E – Quick access to classic Utah slot canyon |
| Halls Creek Narrows | 43.2 mi S of Hwy 24 | 22.4 miles – varies | S – Rugged, sun drenched route leads to shorter version of Zion Narrows |
Burr Trail
| TRAIL | LOCATION | LENGTH | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Muley Twist | Top of Burr Trail Switchbacks | 8.5 miles out & back | S – Fabulous winding red-stone wash leads to massive pour-off |
| Upper Muley Twist | Strike Valley Road – 2.9 miles South of Burr Trail | 9 miles | S – Lolly-Pop trail leads up canyon and along elevated ridge w views |
| Strike Valley Overlook | Srike Vally Road – 2.9 miles S of Burr Trail | 1 mile | M – Up and back to ridge with view of Strike Valley |
Cathedral Valley
| TRAIL | LOCATION | LENGTH | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedrals Trail | 30 mi. N of Hwy 24 | 2.2 mile out & back | Well-defined route follows ridgeline to view of standing monoliths |
| Cathedral Vally Overlook | 28 mi. N of Hwy 24 | 0.2 miles | Short stroll to overlook |
| Morrell Cabin Trail | 30 mi. N of Hwy 24 | 0.4 miles | Stroll through sagebrush to historic cabin |
| Upper South Desert Overlook | 27 mi. of Hwy 24 | 0.4 miles | Leads to view of an endless line of sandstone cliffs |
Backpacking in Capitol Reef
Many of the trails listed above lead far into the never-never-land that is Capitol Reef National Park. This is one of the most remote areas of the United States and night skies with cliffs rising toward the stars allow the backpackers evening imagination to run free…
Permits are required for any camping located outside established campgrounds and can be currently obtained at the Visitor Center on Hwy 24, just west of Fruita.
read moreA few of the more popular routes are linked below. This is by know means a comprehensive list, but more a limited selection of the possibilities available in Capitol Reef.
NPS – CARE – Backpacking – Cottonwood, Burro and Sheets Gulch
NPS – CARE – Backpacking – Halls Creek
NPS – CARE – Backpacking – Pleasant Creek
NPS – CARE – Backpacking – Spring Canyon
NPS – CARE – Backpacking – Upper Muley Twist
Canyoneering in Capitol Reef
The sheer vertical rise among massive layers of sandstone rock in Capitol Reef makes it ripe for the formation of deep red canyons through which few humans have passed in recorded history.
The Waterpocket Fold is riddled with numerous intricate canyons that beg exploration. While the canyons of Zion are booked for months, you can likely walk right into the Capitol Reef Visitor Center, grab a free permit with a smile, and head for the canyon of your choice in the Waterpocket Fold.
read moreFor those who may not feel comfortable heading out on their own? Try contacting a local guide company to get some training or a guided trip in nearby Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument before you head out.
Check out our friends Rick and Aimee at Excursions of Escalante to arrange an unforgettable trip into the local canyon country.
Rock Climbing in Capitol Reef
With the recent growth in popularity of outdoor activities such as rock climbing, the once vacant cliffs of Capitol Reef’s Entrada Sandstone today see roaming packs of dirtbag climbers.
While such riffraff were once content in the hamlet of Springdale, in not-distant Zion, the early 2020s find such folk sending in the Fold, More routes are being established all the time.
NPS – Capitol Reef – Rock Climbing
Biking in Capitol Reef
Currently, mountain biking in Capitol Reef is restricted to the same roadways as motorized traffic. There are numerous routes through the park that provide a great ride and access some kick-ass scenery, but at the end of the day… just imagine your mountain bike crashing off of the cliffs of the Fold… Someday… Someday…
That said, both Utah Hwy 24 and the backcountry road routes are spectacular, and can take a visitor through a never-ending array of overlooks and scenic vistas. Capitol Reef welcomes riders to a number of backcountry routes that provide access to views that will not be found elsewhere.
4×4 Tours in Capitol Reef
The backcountry of Capitol Reef is extremely welcoming to a nice 4×4 setup. A nice off-road rig will definitely lend a great level of peace to the motorist headed deep into the Waterpocket Fold.
While the park does not technically condone “off-road” driving, many of the park’s backcountry roads require at least a novice level of “off-road ability”.
Horseback Riding
Folks have been observing the stunning scenery of the Waterpocket Fold while rambling along on the back of their trusty steed for more than 150 years. Why stop now…?
Ranger-Led Tours
One of Park Junkie’s favorite activities is to attend the random ranger walk or campfire program. While in Capitol Reef, you must be sure to join one of the Geology Talks, as the history in the stonework of this park is like no other.
Capitol Reef
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