Know Before You Go: 7 Tips For Your Next Trip to Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park, located just outside Torrey, UT, is the least visited of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks, but is just as spectacular as its more crowded neighbors! Before you head off to this wild and remote National Park, be sure to check out our tips below to ensure you have an incredible visit to this often-overlooked landscape!
Capitol Gorge at Capitol Reef National Park
Be Ready for Summer Monsoons
During the summer months when the park see’s its highest visitation, the weather at Capitol Reef National Park can be quite extreme, ranging from mid-day temperatures in the 90’s to intense rain storms that seemingly come out of nowhere. Be sure to dress accordingly, and pack a rain coat before heading out into the wilderness. Also, as many trails run through “washes” within the park, many of these areas are susceptible to flash flooding. Always make sure to check the weather prior to hiking the slot canyons and narrow washes that are found within Capitol Reef National Park.
A summer monsoon working its way toward Capitol Reef National Park
2. It’s Called Slickrock For A Reason
Capitol Reef National Park is composed primarily of Navajo Sandstone, which when exposed to the elements becomes polished slickrock. When the rock is dry, it provides plenty of traction as you meander down the many trails within the park, but once it becomes damp and wet, the slickrock really earns its name! This stuff can be extremely difficult to travel across, no matter what type of shoes you have. Always be sure to take care of your footing as you traverse the miles of slickrock found within Capitol Reef National Park.
The smooth slickrock around Hickman Bridge can make the relatively easy hike far more difficult in wet conditions at Capitol Reef National Park
3. Don’t Bring Your Sports Car
While the Scenic Drive which cuts through the heart of the Fruita District at Capitol Reef National Park is paved, virtually every parking lot, trailhead, and other road found within the boundaries of the park are unpaved and extremely rugged. Navigating through Cathedral Valley via the rough, unmaintained Cathedral Road can often require river fording, which is best suited for a high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle. Similarly, parking areas for popular trails such as Capitol Gorge and the Grand Wash have extremely rugged, unpaved trailhead parking., as well.
The incredible Grand Wash Trail is well worth the rough, rocky drive to the trailhead at Capitol Reef National Park
4. The Moon is Your Enemy
While visiting Capitol Reef National Park during daylight hours is nothing short of amazing, the night sky at the park is the real star here! Capitol Reef National Park essentially lies in an extremely remote area within southern Utah, and since 2015 has been a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park. The remote location combined with exceptional air quality in the area make this one of the darkest and clearest skies in America! For those looking for absolutely incredible night skies, a visit to Capitol Reef National Park during a New Moon phase provides unbelievable views of the Milky Way and a star-filled sky set against a nearly pitch black canvas within the incredible landscape of the Waterpocket Fold of Capitol Reef National Park.
The Fruita Orchards set against a vibrant night sky at Capitol Reef National Park
5. This is Raw and Remote Utah
Capitol Reef National Park offers no lodging options aside from camping and contains no restaurants or eateries within the park boundaries. There are no gas stations in the park, and cell phone reception is basically nonexistent. The nearest town of Torrey, UT is located 11 miles from the park entrance, and has a population of 200….so it’s pretty small! Within Torrey are a few local restaurants, as well as a few lodging options. When planning a trip to Capitol Reef National Park, make sure you have your lodging booked early (especially if visiting in the summer), otherwise you will be in for a long drive just to get to the park. Additionally, packing your own meals can provide you with added options from what is available in Torrey, and help you avoid the dreaded lunch rush during peak season!
Sunset Point at Capitol Reef National Park
6. This Park is Rugged
While many National Parks have their fair share of accessible trails and boardwalks, Capitol Reef National Park leans a bit more heavily toward the other end of the spectrum with hundreds of miles of rough, rocky, and sandy trail. While the unpaved roadways have already been discussed (See #3 above), many of the trails climb up steep ridges, traverse rocky washes, and wind their way through smooth and sloping slickrock. Add in the elements of summer rains and winter storms, and you could be traveling through ankle-deep mud, snow-covered climbs, and icy slopes! All of which only add to the raw, rugged beauty of this one-of-a-kind park!
Can you find the trail through Cohab Canyon at Capitol Reef National Park?
7. Expect To Be Blown Away
The Mighty 5 of Utah are perhaps some of the most iconic National Parks in America. Everyone knows about the namesake arches at Arches National Park, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, the slot canyons of Canyonlands, and the infamous Angel’s Landing of Zion National Park. But what about Captiol Reef National Park? To most, its simply on the way from Moab to Bryce Canyon, but it is truly one of the most awe-inspiring parks in America. It offers an unspoiled view into the ruggedness of southern Utah and the incredible Waterpocket Fold. With so few creature comforts within the park, and the nearest town 11 miles away, Capitol Reef National Park allows you to explore this wild landscape in any way you can. From its rugged trails and rock climbing routes, to the incredible off-road driving through this virgin landscape, Capitol Reef National Park offers much more than just a pit stop on the way to Bryce Canyon. It allows you to experience the wilderness as it is intended to be, in its raw, immaculate beauty!
Capitol Reef National Park
