“a geologic wrinkle on earth!”
Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles.
My family and I camped one night here. This geologic formation is one great place to go hiking. If you need advice on what to do, there is Visitor Center and they would be more than glad to help you with your hiking plans. They helped us in our hikes. They pointed out several routes that would be suitable for us. We did the Chimney Rock hike. And boy, it was not easy. It was kind of challenging. But the view of the rocks at the end of the hike was really fantastic. This park is surely breathtaking, figuratively and literally speaking. Haha
This park is loaded with all kinds of offbeat and awesome things to do! Hike Cathedral Valley, visit the Elijah Cutler Behunin cabin (famed outlaw Butch Cassidy frequented Mr. Behunin's house back in the day, and called Robber's Roost, only 70 miles away, home), or just cruise around and take it all in.
Small Park and no fees. Stop at visitor center for map and junior ranger program and movie to learn about the park.
Totally worth the trip. Make sure to stop at the Gifford house for fresh pie. They also sell jams and pickles. So good!!
Even though we saw Arches and Bryce Canyon on our Utah road trip in 2018, Capitol Reef was my favorite! I had heard it was the least visited national park in Utah, and indeed we almost had the park to ourselves when we were there. We loved the scenic drive, the short hikes, and the Fruita community! The landscape was breathtaking, and as we were leaving, we stopped to watch a storm roll in. It was absolutely mesmerizing. I can't wait to return to this park!
Capitol Reef should be dubbed "Hipster National Park"--it's a really cool park, and you've probably never been to it. Capitol Reef is a little out of the way and really flies beneath the radar (especially compared to other national parks in Utah like Arches, Bryce, or Zion), but it's totally worth checking out. The area is beautiful, and it's free to drive through the park and dig its crazy awesome scenery. The drive in to Capitol Reef along Utah's Highway 24 is also one of the coolest drives I've ever taken.
I don't know what Stephen Rees is talking about, claiming this place should be referred to as "Hipster NP," but this is my favorite NP in Utah. Much less crowded than the others in the area...and the drive on Hwy 24 should be on every roadtripper's list.
Such a beautiful and under rated park! This is a must see if you are close (& also please do yourself a favor and visit Gobblin). If you cannot make Gobblin, then drive Scenic Hwy 12! Wow oh wow, the views and amazing things you will see!! Capitol is super fun, make sure you drive down the unpaved part of the road, make stops and hike the narrows at the end. Lots of fun and gorgeous park!
Don't skip Capitol Reef! Definitely the underdog of Utah. Spend the time to hike and off road and you'll get a one-of-a-kind, intimate national park experience
Great Park to hike, Bring water and visit the Visitor Center, Consider this practice for Bryce and Zion
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Capitol Reef National Park
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Good for bird watching, climbing, and 6 more activities.
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- National park
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Laundry
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Showers
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Big Rigs
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Dump Station
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Sewer Hookup
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Swimming Pool
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Outdoor Seating
Campground, Parking, Dining