My first journey to Capitol Reef was with two different Wildland Trekking guides, Carmelina and Austin, to scout the 6-day Capitol Reef Trek. As we received additional exterior our St. George base of operations and into the excessive elevation desert, we had been really in the midst of nowhere. The closest site visitors gentle to Capitol Reef Nationwide Park is 78 miles away. To date out that, when prepping for a Capitol Reef mountain climbing journey particularly, you actually don’t wish to neglect something.
With this in thoughts, and because it occurred to be April Fools’ Day, Carm and I plotted a prank. We had been tasked with bringing Austin his backcountry meals from the Wildland warehouse. Oatmeal, bagels, rice, hen packets, typical Wildland backcountry fare– all of which we hid in my automobile’s roof field. After we all met up on the trailhead able to pack our backpacks for our trek, Carmelina and I pretended to look the automobile for Austin’s meals bag. We had been frantic, faking misery.
“You had been imagined to seize Austin’s meals,” I jabbed at Carmelina.
“No… you stated you had been gonna put it within the automobile,” she quipped again.
Austin, ever the peacemaker, began to sweat. “It’s okay guys… I’ll simply uh, drive the 2 hours again to Boulder and see what they’ve…”
We yelled “APRIL FOOLS!” simply as he started to climb into his truck. Immediately, I noticed the reduction wash over his face. Not solely was it just a few hours to the closest grocery retailer, the unpaved street to the trailhead was fairly tough. Subsequently, when visiting Capitol Reef Nationwide Park, preparation is essential.
This space of Utah doesn’t have the facilities that the opposite Utah nationwide parks do or the bustling gateway cities of parks like Arches and Zion. This, and its distance from any main airports, is why Capitol Reef is amongst Utah’s less-frequented nationwide parks.
How Capitol Reef received its identify
Capitol Reef Nationwide Park boasts a humorous identify that requires a four-part clarification. First, the ”Capitol” half refers back to the white, Navajo Sandstone domes that bear a resemblance to capitol buildings. Subsequent, the “Reef” refers back to the impassable terrain resembling an ocean reef, that’s chargeable for the park’s remoteness; specifically, the Waterpocket Fold.
The Waterpocket Fold is a novel geologic formation that spans 100 miles north to south, and solely 3 miles west to east. It’s a monocline formation, or in different phrases, a big “fold” in just one route of the rock. The precise forces behind its formation are debated, however most theories counsel a uncommon sort of tectonic plate compression. The Waterpocket Fold is the biggest uncovered monocline in North America and, because of its impassable nature, was the final space within the decrease 48 to be surveyed.
Lastly, this function has many “waterpockets” or potholes–eroded depressions in sandstone that intermittently maintain water. Thus, we’ve the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef Nationwide Park.
Capitol Reef Nationwide Park receives, on common, 6-7 inches of rain per 12 months, which suggests it’s properly throughout the classification for a desert local weather. Common points of interest on this park embody distinctive geology, petroglyphs and different native artifacts, mountain climbing in solitude, pick-your-own fruit orchards, and sweeping night time skies.
This one-stop information will show you how to plan your go to, together with: when to go, the place to remain, and what to do. Get pleasure from!
When to Go to Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef will be loved 12 months spherical. In truth, every season has one thing distinctive to supply.
Fall and Spring
Whereas the spring and fall are perfect for Capitol Reef mountain climbing because of their reasonable temperatures, in addition they see probably the most crowds. Word that this park noticed just one.4 million guests in 2024– lower than a 3rd of Zion Nationwide Parks’s visitation–so crowds aren’t as massive of a priority as in different parks. A good thing about visiting Capitol Reef within the spring or fall can be the choice to choose fruit within the park’s orchards!
Summer season
Summer season will be nice for exploring the upper elevation areas–simply be ready to hydrate and have ample solar safety.
Winter
Winter in Capitol Reef is tranquil and beautiful with the distinction of the snow on crimson sandstone–however have layers and be ready for snow on the roads and trails.
The place to Keep in Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef tenting is a good way to immerse your self and your journey companions in the fantastic thing about the realm, with choices obtainable relying in your group’s wants. The close by cities additionally supply loads of lodging choices, for many who need more-comfortable lodging to stability the ruggedness of the park.
Campgrounds within the park
Fruita Campground
The Fruita Campground, an oasis within the desert, is a good selection for Capitol Reef tenting. Centrally positioned in the preferred a part of the park, this campground affords 71 tent and RV websites, loos, picnic tables, and hearth rings. This in style campground is by reservation solely and is a good choice for campers who plan forward and are on the lookout for snug facilities. From right here, guests can conveniently entry quite a lot of Capitol Reef mountain climbing such because the Hickman Bridge Path and Cohab Canyon in addition to historic websites such because the orchards, schoolhouse, and a Petroglyph Panel.
Cathedral Valley Campground
Another choice for Capitol Reef tenting is the Cathedral Valley Campground that gives primitive, secluded websites within the park’s northern area. At 7,000 ft, campers can take pleasure in cooler temperatures in a beautiful Pinyon and Juniper Forest. The 6 websites supplied right here additionally include some facilities together with picnic tables, hearth rings, and a pit rest room; nevertheless, water isn’t supplied at this website. If tenting at Cathedral Valley ensure to replenish on water earlier than leaving the customer’s heart.
There isn’t a price to camp on the Cathedral Valley Campground, however do word that these websites are first-come first-served. Additionally, a high-clearance automobile and four-wheel drive is usually really useful, however campers can name the Capitol Reef street hotline at 435-425-3791 to examine present circumstances. This website is the perfect leaping off level for the Cathedrals Path and the 58-mile scenic drive. Better of all, the remoteness of the campground means wonderful alternatives for stargazing!
Cedar Mesa Campground
One other tucked-away choice for Capitol Reef tenting is the Cedar Mesa Campground, which is positioned additional south within the park. That is additionally free and obtainable solely on a first-come first-served foundation. The Cedar Mesa Campground has 5 websites, with related facilities to the Cathedral Valley Campground (picnic tables and pit bathrooms, however no water obtainable). This street is usually accessible for two-wheel drive automobiles, however I do suggest checking the street hotline, simply in case.
Dixie-Fishlake Nationwide Forest Tenting
Need the facilities, however can’t get a Fruita campsite? Fortunately, there are Capitol Reef tenting choices exterior of the park, on close by public lands. The Dixie-Fishlake Nationwide Forest is managed by the US Forest Service, and affords extra Capitol Reef tenting choices. These websites will be reserved upfront at recreation.gov.
Singletree Campground
The Singletree Campground is a beautiful high-elevation campsite at 8,200 ft in a ponderosa pine and aspen forest with views of the Henry Mountains. The campground additionally boasts many facilities together with flush bathrooms and ingesting water, plus a volleyball court docket and horseshoe pits. From camp, there may be additionally a 1-mile hike to Singletree Falls. This website is positioned on the south facet of the park, close to Boulder Mountain. Regardless of being exterior of Capitol Reef, Single Tree Campground is definitely nearer to the customer’s heart than the park’s Cedar Mesa and Cathedral Valley campgrounds.
Nice Creek and Oak Creek Campgrounds
Different close by choices within the Dixie-Fishlake Nationwide Forest embody the Nice Creek and the Oak Creek Campgrounds, each of that are at 8,800 ft and supply ingesting water and pit bathrooms. All three of those campgrounds (Singletree, Nice Creek, and Oak Creek) are on the best way to the cities of Boulder and Escalante, in style leaping off factors for exploring Grand-Staircase Escalante Nationwide Monument. That is additionally the route of Bryce and Zion Nationwide Parks, so these campsites is usually a nice cease over level when linking up visits to different Utah nationwide parks.
Sunglow Campground
To the west of the park, on the best way from Salt Lake Metropolis, the Sunglow Campground close to the city of Bicknell is an alternative choice for Capitol Reef tenting. That is in a crimson field canyon, with cottonwood and juniper bushes and is only a few minutes exterior of city the place eating and different facilities await.
Dispersed Tenting
For Capitol Reef tenting off the crushed path, there are additionally dispersed campsites throughout the borders of the park. These amenity-less choices will be discovered each within the Dixie-Fishlake Nationwide Forest and Bureau of Land Administration (BLM) land and will not be formally marked as campsites. As an alternative, campers are required to remain on “beforehand disturbed” land. One nice option to know if land is “beforehand disturbed” is by hearth pits, which might point out that others have camped in that spot.
It is very important adhere to the rules of Depart No Hint whereas dispersed tenting–for instance, the presence of a fireplace pit doesn’t essentially imply it’s allowed to make a hearth. Be sure you examine for seasonal hearth bans, and observe them! These areas is not going to have ingesting water, trash cans, loos, so campers should plan forward accordingly. By planning forward on your tenting wants, you’ll not solely take pleasure in your Capitol Reef tenting expertise, but additionally be certain that future generations, and the native wildlife can proceed to profit from these valuable pure sources.
Staying in close by cities
The cities surrounding Capitol Reef Nationwide Park are quaint, charming, and properly value exploring. They provide quite a lot of choices for tenting, glamping, or lodging.
Torrey is the closest city to Capitol Reef, solely quarter-hour from the park entrance. There are lots of lodging choices in Torrey, and some good eating choices as properly. My favorites in Torrey are Capitol Burger and the Wild Rabbit Cafe.
Different close by cities with lodging choices embody Teasdale, Bicknell, Grover, and Caineville–all inside half-hour of the park. The city of Boulder, UT, 1 hour away from the park, is a captivating little city with one in all my all-time favourite eating places, Hell’s Spine Grill and Farm. Although slightly additional away, Boulder is a worthy addition to a Capitol Reef journey!
Escalante and Capitol Reef Tour
Capitol Reef Mountaineering
Petroglyph Path
0.3 Miles| Out-and-back
No Capitol Reef mountain climbing journey is full with out a cease on the Capitol Reef Petroglyph panel. This quick, accessible path is conveniently positioned within the Fruita Historic District, and follows a boardwalk with just a few panels of petroglyphs. Guests can marvel at these etchings, and create their very own theories about what the Fremont and Ancestral Puebloans could have been speaking with these artistic endeavors. Please keep on the boardwalk, and by no means contact historic artifacts–assist hold these cultural sources preserved!
Hickman Bridge Path
1.7 mi |400ft Elevation Acquire |Out-and-back
The Hickman Bridge Path is an out-and-back full of wonderful geologic options and historic artifacts. Centrally positioned within the Fruita Historic District of the park, simply 2 miles from the customer heart, this comparatively quick hike is loaded with thrilling websites. A small pure bridge, the Nels Johnson Bridge, comes first, earlier than the namesake of the path, the Hickman Bridge. That is an unbelievable pure bridge carved by flowing water that eroded the Kayenta Formation.
Alongside the best way, hikers can marvel on the varied artifacts of the Fremont folks, akin to pit homes and granaries. These folks inhabited the realm some 1,500 years in the past, and mysteriously vanished round 1275 AD. Hikers can even see views of Cohab Canyon, the place polygamist folks had been rumored to have hid from authorities, and Capitol Dome, one of many white navajo sandstone domes that impressed the “Capitol” within the park’s identify. On the trailhead, hikers can choose up an interpretative brochure that may assist add dimension to the wonders of this path.
Cassidy Arch
3.4 Miles | 700ft Elevation Acquire | Out-and-back
Positioned off the scenic drive simply 5 miles south of the customer’s heart, the Cassidy Arch Path is an thrilling option to immerse oneself within the geologic wonders of the realm. With some scrambling on brightly coloured slickrock, hikers can prime out the arch and benefit from the views. The Cassidy Arch is called after the notorious practice robber Butch Cassidy, who was rumored to have hideouts within the space. Be certain to convey numerous water and solar safety, as this path doesn’t present a lot shade.
Grand Wash Path
4.4 Miles | 200ft Elevation Acquire | Out-and-back
Close by to the Cassidy Arch, the Grand Wash Path is an out-and-back that follows a meandering streambed by looming sandstone cliffs. This path will be accessed from both facet, as there are parking heaps on each ends of the path: Freeway 24 and the Grand Wash Street. Hikers would possibly discover bighorn sheep impressively grazing on the perimeters of the cliffs. Word that whereas the wash is usually dry, flash floods can happen right here, so it’s essential to pay attention to the climate forecast and any flash flood advisories. Additionally, this path can have some difficult route discovering, so remember to have a map helpful to assist with orientation.
Chimney Rock Path
3.6 Miles | 600ft Elevation Acquire | Loop
The Chimney Rock Path is a lollipop-shaped loop that’s 3 miles northeast of the Customer Middle that allows hikers to marvel on the geologic wonders of Capitol Reef. There are wonderful views of the imposing Chimney Rock, which is the western fringe of the colourful and spectacular Waterpocket Fold. Like many different Capitol Reef mountain climbing trails, this path affords little shade, so be ready with water, electrolytes, and solar safety!
Cathedrals Path
2.4 Miles | 300ft Elevation Acquire | Out-and-back
Within the north finish of the park, 50 miles from the Customer Middle, the Cathedral valley is apt for these on the lookout for a real Capitol Reef mountain climbing journey. The difficult half about this space is the street. 4 wheel drive and excessive clearance is really useful. Automobiles should be capable of ford the Fremont river. Whereas most excessive clearance automobiles ought to be capable of deal with this, it’s finest to examine the park’s street circumstances earlier than embarking on the journey.
Adventurers might be rewarded with unbelievable views of the cathedrals formations, stratified sandstone that resemble gothic structure– however brightly coloured crimson orange. It is a worthy hike when tenting on the Cathedral Valley campground, and/or to be paired with the Cathedral Valley scenic drive, a 58 mile loop.
Capitol Reef Backpacking
Capitol Reef Trek
32+ Miles | 4,700ft Elevation Acquire | 6-Day By way of Hike
Able to take your Capitol Reef mountain climbing to the following degree? Wildland Trekking’s Capitol Reef trek will get hikers up-close-and-personal with the waterpocket fold within the south finish of the park. A spotlight of the 6 day trek contains the Halls Creek Narrows, a drainage just like the Zion Narrows, with a fraction of the crowds.
With sandstone partitions rising excessive on both facet, trekkers stroll by the water of Halls Creek, exploring the riparian wonders on this desert oasis, and tenting close by. We then head in the direction of the wandering Muley Twist Canyon, so named as a result of it “twists a mule” to get by it. Alongside the best way, we’ll filter water from potholes (pure puddles of rainwater within the sandstone), scramble as much as the wonderful Brimhall Arch–a novel double arch–and go to Hamburger Rocks, silly-looking hoodoos that do certainly resemble hamburgers.
We additionally marvel at petroglyphs and cowboy-glyphs in addition to the number of shapes and colours that sandstone has to supply.
Guided Capitol Reef Backpacking
Different Issues to Do in Capitol Reef
In Capitol Reef mountain climbing isn’t the one enjoyable exercise! Guests can embark on scenic drives, choose fruit from the historic orchards, or emerge at night time and gaze on the stars.
Scenic drives
Capitol Reef affords a number of scenic drives, every with distinctive landscapes and viewpoints. The park-designated “Scenic Drive” begins from the customer venter and travels south for 8 miles. This street is paved and appropriate for many automobiles. Sights alongside the best way embody geologic options akin to answer pockets, deserted mines, petroglyphs from the Fremont folks, and a pioneer register from Mormon travellers within the late 1800s.
Another choice for a scenic drive is the Cathedral Valley Loop, a 58 mile loop which requires a excessive clearance automobile, particularly to ford the Fremont River. The Burr Path Street is a graded street with thrilling switchbacks, and will be mixed with the Notom-Bullfrog street for a scenic tour of the Waterpocket fold. Regardless of the place you drive, it’s all fairly scenic on this space, so you actually can’t go flawed!
Fruit selecting
Pioneers in Fruita in 1880 planted fruit bushes to nourish the rising inhabitants. In the present day, the park honors their heritage by sustaining these orchards and permitting park guests to choose their very own fruit. The Fruita orchards have bushes with apple, cherry, peach, plum, and extra. These are positioned throughout the Fruita Historic District. Solely choose ripe fruit that’s labelled as “U-Decide”, and remember to go to the self-pay station after grabbing your fruit.
Stargazing
Capitol Reef Nationwide Park is an Worldwide Darkish Sky Park, which means it is likely one of the more and more uncommon locations the place we will have unfettered views of the night time sky. Splendid stargazing circumstances are clear nights round a brand new moon, so ensure to examine the moon part schedule should you’re all in favour of stargazing—and hope for cloudless climate. Star maps, particularly glow in the dead of night ones, is usually a enjoyable software to orient and educate guests in regards to the night time sky.
Closing Notes
Capitol Reef mountain climbing and tenting is distant and excessive. Be sure you be ready for security considerations that may come your approach! These embody: flash floods, excessive warmth and chilly, extreme solar publicity, water unavailability, uncovered cliffs, and tough street circumstances. Be sure you plan forward and discuss to a ranger about any security considerations– or join a Wildland Trekking journey and we will do the security planning for you.
So go forward, plan that journey to Capitol Reef, and bear in mind to cover your meals and prank your journey buddies– the remoteness of the realm will actually work in your favor!
Utah Mighty 5 Nationwide Parks Street Journey
