National Park Guide

Capitol Reef National Park

Utah, US

A hidden gem of colorful canyons, massive domes, and pioneer orchards along the Waterpocket Fold.

241,904

Acres

Trails

1971

Established

1.2 million

Annual Visitors

Quick Info

Season

Year-round

Entrance Fee

$20 per vehicle

Nearest Airport

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), 3.5 hours

Best Months

April, May, October

Highlights

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
Hickman Bridge natural arch
Grand Wash slot canyon
Fruita historic orchards and fruit picking
Cathedral Valley remote four-wheel drive adventure

Park Map

Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest

Top Trails

Featured trailheads in Capitol Reef National Park

Hickman Bridge Trail

Moderate

1.8 miles round trip

400 ft gain

Cassidy Arch Trail

Moderate

3.4 miles round trip

670 ft gain

Grand Wash Trail

Easy

4.4 miles round trip

200 ft gain

Capitol Gorge Trail

Easy

2.0 miles round trip

100 ft gain

Chimney Rock Trail

Moderate

3.6 miles round trip

590 ft gain

About Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park preserves the Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100-mile-long wrinkle in the earth's crust that reveals millions of years of geological history through its colorful cliffs, canyons, and domes. The park features historic orchards planted by Mormon pioneers in the Fruita district where visitors can pick fruit in season. Less crowded than nearby Utah parks, Capitol Reef offers world-class hiking through narrow slot canyons, scenic drives, and some of the darkest night skies in the lower 48 states.

In-Depth Guide

Capitol Reef Guide: Best Hikes, When to Visit & Where to Stay

Plan your trip to Capitol Reef National Park. Top hikes, best months to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for Utah's hidden red rock wonderland.

12 min read

Weather Overview

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Hotels

3 options near Capitol Reef National Park

Weather

Monthly climate data

Best Time to Visit

Month-by-month analysis

Hiking Gear

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Where to Stay

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Capitol Reef Resort

$$$

Premier 58-acre resort one mile from the park entrance offering cabins, teepees, and Conestoga wagons, with outdoor pool, spa tub, horseback riding, llama walks, and Jeep tours.

5 min drive$180-350/night

Check on Hotels.com

Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse

Western-style hilltop inn in Torrey with red rock views, indoor heated pool, hot tub, free hot breakfast, and a full-service steakhouse with classic comfort food.

10 min drive$120-220/night

Check on Hotels.com

Days Inn by Wyndham Torrey Capital Reef

Value-friendly hotel off Highway 24 just 3 miles from Capitol Reef with indoor pool, free grab-and-go breakfast, and easy access to Boulder Mountain Scenic Highway.

10 min drive$70-140/night

Check on Hotels.com

Compare Capitol Reef National Park

See how Capitol Reef National Park stacks up against other national parks

Capitol Reef National Park vs Canyonlands National Park

Choose Capitol Reef for colorful geology, historic orchards, and a quieter, more intimate canyon experience. Choose Canyonlands for overwhelming scale, rugged wilderness, and deep solitude.

See full comparison

Capitol Reef National Park vs Great Basin National Park

Choose Great Basin for the world's oldest trees, dark sky stargazing, and Lehman Caves. Choose Capitol Reef for colorful canyon geology, historic orchards, and more scenic driving opportunities.

See full comparison