When it comes to majestic national parks, Utah is holding a majority. As people focus in on Arches and Zion, don’t let the unforgettable landscape of Capitol Reef slip by! After our visit this last spring, I can’t imagine returning to Utah without coming back to the dramatic Capitol Reef in the heart of red rock country.
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About Capitol Reef National Park
As this park is still one of the least visited national parks in Utah, it can be an extraordinary and uncrowded experience for you and your family. This is a beautiful opportunity to explore the ancient human history, the complex heritage of Western expansion, as well as the dramatic geology that surrounds the area.
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The Paleo Indians were the first North Americans to live in this area during the Ice Age. From 8,000 to 2,000 years ago the Desert Archaic people migrated through the area hunting and gathering as resources allowed. The Ancestral Puebloans began to cultivate the land. They created storage for food on the cliffs.
An excavation site and museum is available to the public at the Anasazi Museum in Boulder between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. This was fascinating for us as we were able to connect similarities in the food preparation and core dietary habits of these people to how my husband’s family cooked and the staples that he grew up with.
The Ute and Paiute lived in the area as early as the 1600s until the late 1800s when clashes with Mormon Pioneers eroded an initially friendly if uneasy relationship. Constant interactions between whites and the tribes, as well as the spread of diseases such as smallpox, led to conflicts with deadly consequences that stretched over decades.
Many historical sites remain across the park to give the modern visitor a glimpse into this complicated past.
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Can You Experience Capitol Reef in One Day?
Capitol Reef is one of the most family-friendly national parks in Utah. There is something for everyone here. A full day as in this itinerary assumes a certain level of energy and an interest in a few easy-to-moderate hikes. During one day in Capitol Reef, it is definitely possible to see the best of the park from Capitol Gorge to Sunset Point.
But if you are interested in hiking a bit more or are willing to tackle some of the more strenuous hikes you may want to tack on at least one more day. With more time you can take advantage of an off-road 4WD vehicle to enjoy the striking Cathedral Valley.
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If Capitol Reef is one stop on a larger Utah road trip then check out our detailed post on how to get the most out of your time in Arches National Park as well.
Capitol Reef Itinerary
The outline below highlights a very busy day that takes you from one end of the park, at Capitol Gorge, to the other by closing out the day at Sunset Point. As in many other park itineraries we’ve published we find that the most efficient way to avoid the crowds is to begin at the edge of the park furthest from the Visitor Center.
Also, start early. We recommend you enter the park at sunrise. In doing this you will have an opportunity to gain a few hours in the park without a mass of visitors.
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Another benefit to early entry that is completely unique to Capitol Reef is that you can be among the first to order a pie from Gifford House. Opening each year on March 14th (pie day) and remaining open until October 31st this unique gift shop sells handmade items and supports local artisans. The store opens from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm but the locally baked fruit pies will sell out early.
Scenic Drive
If hiking is not an activity your group wants to indulge in, you can still enjoy the majestic landscape with a drive along Hwy 24 and onto Scenic Drive in the park. Spending half a day on paved roads allows you to take in the stunning red rock formations along the Waterpocket Fold and enjoy a bit of the history of the area with easy pullouts to petroglyphs, historic pioneer sites, and impressive rock formations.
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For this itinerary you’ll start out driving from Hwy 24 toward the Fruta area and past the fee station, driving all the way to the end of the almost 8-mile road.
Capitol Gorge Trail
The paved scenic drive road ends at a parking area, but continue down the unpaved road on the left side. This not to be missed road travels 2.2 miles one way past enormous canyon walls that water erosion has impacted in such a way that the surface in spots appears to be melting candle wax. This road is accessible by a majority of vehicles in good weather and ends at the Capitol Gorge trailhead.
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Take the easy 1.5-mile round-trip hike to the petroglyphs and Pioneer Register. Once at the Pioneer Register, a wall of names carved into the rock face, you can turn around and return to your car or keep going for an additional half mile before you return.
Grand Wash Spur Trail and Cassidy Arch
Returning on Scenic Drive you’ll arrive at the Grand Wash Spur. A gravel road travels through a canyon and from the parking lot you can hike the Grand Wash trail, a 2.2 mile out and back trip through narrows, and a canyon. With only 200 feet of elevation gain, this is considered an easy trail.
For more of a challenge, you can take the Cassidy Arch trail. This strenuous 1.7-mile trail has over 650 feet of elevation gain, steep scramble up slick rock, and drop-offs along the trail. Hikers are rewarded with beautiful views of the canyon and Cassidy Arch, named after outlaw Butch Cassidy who sometimes used the area as a hideout.
We strongly recommend a safety talk with your children before beginning this hike. For more tips on how to help your children have safe and prepared hikes check out this supportive post on hiking with teens.
Hikes from Hwy 24
There are incredible sites to see along Highway 24. If you are driving in from your hotel in Torrey you don’t need to turn toward Fruta and can instead continue your drive through the park by continuing east along Highway 24.
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Hickman Bridge Trail
Less than 20 minutes from the town of Torrey you’ll find the Hickman Bridge trailhead on the right side of Hwy 24. This is one of the best short trails at Capitol Reef and not to be missed. The hike along the Fremont River gains approximately 400 feet in elevation as you approach a viewpoint. Before you reach the trail’s end at the natural bridge, you’ll have the opportunity to descend into the canyon and see the smaller Nels Johnson arch.
Petroglyphs Viewing
One of the most fascinating sites along the scenic Hwy 24 is the stop for Petroglyph Pullout. Just 1.5 miles from the visitor center and right after the small Fruta Schoolhouse, you’ll see a pull-out and parking lot on the left side of the highway. There is an easy walk along a boardwalk-style path that leads to the base of a steep cliff face where petroglyphs can be seen.
Sunset Point and Goosenecks Overlook
As you wrap up your day at Capitol Reef save energy and time for a stop at Panorama Point. On your way back into Torrey you’ll see the pullout for this pit stop. If you reach Chimney Rock Trail you’ve gone too far.
To reach Sunset Point and Goosenecks Overlook you’ll drive down a gravel access roach until it dead ends. From the parking lot for Goosenecks Overlook, there is a short 0.1-mile path that provides great canyon views. But with just a short walk you can enjoy the 0.4-mile path that leads to Sunset Point for panoramic views that are best appreciated at sunset. It’s an amazing way to wrap up a well-spent day.
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Where to Stay
We recommend staying in Torrey for at least two nights. We stayed at the Capitol Reef Resort and were very happy with our stay here. For other accommodation suggestions in Torrey, check out our 7 Day Utah Road Trip Itinerary.
For an extra fun experience check out the available llama excursions! We did a 2 hour day hike with an informative guide who helped us better understand the personalities of each of our working llamas as well as the stunning landscape around us.
Be sure to have quality hiking shoes, water, sunscreen or a hat. It is strongly recommended that you bring a camera with you as well. The guide will help take photos of you and your group during a planned break.
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Where to Eat
We thoroughly enjoyed our meal at Chak Balam Mexican Restaurant. The food was good and the owner came out to check on us and share a bit of their story. It’s a great team with high-quality food. You can order to go or dine in.
There are great burgers, fish n’ chips, shakes, and fries at Slackers. Don’t overlook the surprisingly good salads if you want lighter fare.
Rim Rock Patio has an impressive menu and the convenience of being right across the highway from the Capitol Reef Resort.
Do not miss the Wild Rabbit Cafe for breakfast. Check out their delicious daily specials before you order off the equally impressive menu. Fantastic food.
We left Capitol Reef National Park and headed over to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. To plan for another leg of your Utah road trip check out our posts on Bryce National Park, Zion National Park and Arches National Park to help you and your family have the best experience.
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