Capitol Reef National Park, known as the “Pass through Park” of the Utah National Parks, was a huge surprise to me. And a good one. One first arrival it seems a bit haphazard, there is one side road to one area or you can stay on the main road, the scenic byway, to see other parts. The set up just seems all wrong.
But don’t let that deter you. The hiking trails here are phenomenal and the place is steeped in history and full of petroglyph panels and definitely worth a trip.
Park History
People have been living in Capitol Reef from generations. Petroglyphs etched into the rock show the history, as does the orchards in the Fruita section of the park. Not what I would have expected in a National Park but who am I to judge?
Capitol Reef was designated a national monument by Franklin Roosevelt in 1937. Roosevelt, at the time, wanted to protect this prehistoric looking area with its monoliths and colorful canyons. It was until 1950 that the park was open to the general public.
General Park Information
Location
52 West Headquarters Drive, Torrey, UT 84775
Hours of Operation
This lesser-known park itself is open year-round, 24-hours a day but some of its buildings run on various set hours.
Visitor center: 8 am – 4:30 pm
Shuttle services
No park specific shuttle is available, though you can join up with various tour groups that will take you around the park.
Park Accessibility
Much of the park can be seen from your vehicle, particularly the scenic drive, cathedral valley loop, Notom-Bullfrog Road and Burr Trail.
Other areas, such as the visitor center, picnicking areas, and some campsites are also wheelchair accessible and service animals (dogs) are allowed. For more information make sure to check out the national park service website before you go.
Best time to visit Capitol Reef National Park
This park is great to visit all year round, with the busiest times being throughout spring and summer. If you are looking for less crowds a great time to visit is in late fall. By mid to late October the crowds are practically non-existent and you will have many of the trails to yourself. Though of the 5 national parks in Utah, Capitol Reef sees fewer visitors overall.
Passes and entrance fee
Depending if you are staying for the whole week or looking for a season pass will depend on the fee.
Private vehicle: $20
No vehicle (per person; bicycle or pedestrian): $10
If you plan to do more than just the one park I highly recommend getting the American the Beautiful pass. If you are planning to visit all 5 of Utah’s National Parks and maybe some others in the country, this pass will pay for itself ($80).
Getting to Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is just over 2 hours west of Moab, though if you are flying into the area, you can fly to either Grand Junction, Colorado, which is just under 3 hours away or Salt Lake City, which is about 3 1/2 hours drive. I highly recommend doing it as a road trip to visit all of Utah’s National Parks, starting in Las Vegas.
Where to stay
Hotels
If you are ok with a bit of a drive Panguitch and Green River are great choices with decent prices. Each park we visited we booked our stay with Booking.com or Hotels.com the night before or that morning and got some great deals.
The other option, though pricy, is the Capitol Reef Resort located at the entrance to the park. Though I have to say, the options for accommodations are so cool! They have your usual guest rooms and cabins, but you can also stay in teepees and covered wagons! Cabins are going to run you around $250+ a night, teepees and covered wagons are $260 and $278, respectively (August prices).
Camping in Capitol Reef National Park
For more traditional camping, Capitol Reef National Park has a 71-site campground in Fruita. You will need to make a reservation for these. If you are looking for something a bit more primitive, that doesn’t require a reservation there are two free primitive sites in the park.
Backpacking? There is a free backpacking permit that is required if you are planning to do a multiday hike. And surprisingly, Capitol Reef has several backpacking trails. I am a bit bummed that I didn’t get the opportunity to explore them!
What to eat
Capitol Reef National Park does not have a restaurant so make sure to bring a lunch with you before you come otherwise stop at one of the places outside the park.
If you are willing to drive a bit or are starting from Green River, I highly recommend eating at Tamarisk Restaurant. It really is good and probably the best restaurant in town. It’s also next to a Super 8, if you are looking at decently priced hotels.
Top Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
I was so surprised by the amazing hiking here. Going in I had low expectations based on all the reading I had done prior to visiting. But honestly, I was blown away by this park.
Easy to Moderate Hikes
Grand Wash Trail
This trail is an easy 4.5-miles round-trip short walk and follows a river bed through some immense canyon walls dropping you out to Highway 24. So, you can start this trail from either the scenic drive or Highway 24, because you are going to go back and forth.
Depending on the time of year, there are various wildflowers growing along the wash as well as different lizards scurrying around. From here you can also hike to Cassidy Arch (see Difficult Hikes, below).
Difficult Hikes
Cassidy Arch Trail
Partway along the Grand Wash Trail is a side trail that winds up over 600 feet of elevation gain along the side of the canyon to Cassidy Arch. This is a great hike, though more strenuous and 3.5-miles roundtrip (there and back). You will switchback up the side of the cliff before following the cairns along some slick rock to the best views of the canyon and of course, Cassidy Arch.
Cohab Canyon Trail
Cohab Canyon was my favorite of the trails, though I wasn’t so sure at first. Parking at the Fruita campground parking lot you take switchbacks up until you reach a kind of slot area. At first the trail isn’t that nice and the views are of the campground, the fruit trees, and picnic area, but once you slip into that slot area it’s a whole other world.
There are little crevices all around within the rock walls that is one of the best things to explore and side trails with beautiful viewpoints. This short hike is 3.5-mile roundtrip (back and forth) and does not disappoint. The rock formations and side trails seem like you are on another planet at time. The rock is smooth and in some areas like Swiss cheese with small and larger holes punched out. Some you can even fit into! Just make sure to check the weather forecast before heading into any slot canyons as flash floods do happen and can be dangerous.
You can also see some of these “Swiss cheese” rocks along the Grand Wash trail, so if you aren’t up for the more difficult hikes you will still get to experience them.
Concluding Thoughts
Though not an exhaustive list of hikes, these make for day at the park. If you are planning for a longer trip, make sure to check out the backpacking trails I mentioned above. Don’t overlook this park, when planning your trip to Utah’s National Parks. It will surprise you with its subtle beauty and otherworldly feel.
