Capitol Reef National Park

Perhaps the most striking feature of Capitol Reef is the Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100-mile warp in the Earth’s crust. (Imagine Grand Canyon’s horizontal layers; now imagine those layers vertically—that’s the Waterpocket Fold.) Just like you should expect in any Utah national park, it’s just one of many incredible red-rock vistas you can find here.

About two hours from Arches National Park and Moab, the park is incredibly long and narrow, with only the Fruita area—where Mormon pioneers grew cherries, apricots, peaches, and more—paved and easily accessible. It’s in this park section that the vast majority of park visitors head; they spread out between the overlooks on the 8-mile scenic drive, hiking trails like the Cassidy Arch Trail, and the still-operating orchards, where you can buy fresh pies and tasty park goodies.

• If you don’t have a national parks pass, the fee to enter the park beyond Highway 24 is $20 per vehicle.

• Many spots will be in the open sun—bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.

• When in season (and for a fee), fruit picking is a popular park activity.

• If you have a high-clearance vehicle, check out the park’s north and south districts to get a fabulous park experience to yourself.

• The Gifford Homestead is famous for its pie. Grab a slice while you’re in the Fruita area.

Most visitors will take Highway 24 toward the Fruita area—if you stay on Highway 24, you don’t have to pay the entrance fee. If you’re looking for what sets the park apart, head north to Polk Creek Road (unpaved) for Cathedral Valley’s wide-open desert expanses and spectacular, crowd-free vistas.

Capitol Reef has two high seasons: March to June and September to October—both windows avoiding the heat of a Utah summer. Of course, if you’re into the park’s orchards, those bloom in spring and make for quite the sight (and bigger crowds). To get a less touristy experience, visit outside those times; though the park is open year-round, be prepared for certain facilities to be closed.

The Fremont Culture lived in Utah for roughly 1,000 years—between 300 and 1300 AD. You can spot their petroglyphs about 1.5 miles east of the visitor center on Highway 24; the parking turnout and boardwalks are well-marked. If the light isn’t on your side, bring binoculars for the best viewing experience.

Since Capitol Reef National Park is relatively compact, you can explore some key highlights in just one day—or even less. One day is enough to take in its 7.9-mile (12.7-kilometer) Scenic Drive, visit the Gifford Homestead built by early Mormon settlers, take a hike, and see ancient petroglyphs.

Yes, Capitol Reef National Park is worth the trip. It features a desert landscape of canyons, cliffs, and bridges and is much less crowded than Utah’s more famous national parks. In addition to natural beauty, Capitol Reef also has fascinating history, from ancient rock art to a pioneer farmhouse.

You can explore the Scenic Drive through Canyonlands National Park in about two hours. The 7.9-mile (12.7-kilometer) paved route leads south from Fruita past sedimentary rock formations, escarpment views, and Wingate Sandstone. Its spur roads into Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge are unpaved but suitable for most cars.

Spring and fall are the best times to visit Capitol Reef National Park. The seasons' mild, relatively stable weather is comfortable for hiking, camping, and cycling. After a busy period from March through June, the park stays relatively quiet through summer's heat, and then bustles again starting in early September.

Capitol Reef is a place to experience Utah’s red-rock canyons, soaring cliffs, and world-class hiking without the crowds that fill the state’s more famous national parks. It’s also home to fascinating history, from ancient Fremont Culture petroglyphs to the 1908 Gifford Homestead that offers a glimpse of early Mormon settlements.

Yes, there are black bears in Capitol Reef National Park, but encounters with bears are rare. Visitors are more likely to spot the park’s diverse bird species, desert lizards, or desert bighorn sheep. The curly horned native sheep are now common in the area, after being reintroduced in the 1990s.