How to Spend One Day in Capitol Reef National Park
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Capitol Reef National Park is located in the heart of Utah. It is a treasure trove of geological wonders, cultural heritage, and breathtaking landscapes. We truly believe this is an underrated Utah National park! Spending a day among the natural marvels of this park offers a glimpse into the intricate beauty of the Southwest’s red rock country. From iconic rock formations to orchards, this guide will help you make the most of your day in Capitol Reef and is the perfect addition to any Utah roadtrip!
A less dog-friendly park
Pets are welcome in the park, however, they must be leashed at all times and remain only on paved portions of the park. This means for the most part, only parking lots. They are not allowed on trails or inside of buildings. So if you are visiting Capitol Reef make sure to not leave your pet in your vehicle unless you have the proper way to keep them comfortable because temperatures can be very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Here is a link to the parks pet policies.
When to Visit
In our opinion, the best time to visit Capitol Reef would be April-October. The summer months tend to be busier, just like with other Utah National Parks, but still enjoyable since this park requires some driving and gives you a chance to cool off in the car. However, the summer is monsoon season in the region so there is a chance for rain, but if you’re already planning a summer roadtrip, don’t hesitate to add this park – just keep an eye on the weather! Temperatures can be expected to be in the upper 80s and 90s at this time of year. If you’re looking for milder temperatures and fewer crowds, Spring and Fall would be the best time to visit. You can expect temperatures to be closer to 60s and 70s during the day. We visited in mid-September and it was actually a bit chilly in the morning and the evening!
Things to Consider
Consider purchasing the America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass for $80, this pass grants you access to all U.S. National Parks for a year. Since most National Parks charge a $30-40 entrance fee, purchase the America the Beautiful Pass could pay for itself when you visit just two to three parks!
You can purchase the America the Beautiful pass below from REI!
What to Pack
Keith’s Recommendations:
Hannah’s Recommendations
(in addition to what Keith has)
How to Get Here
Flying into a small airport near this park probably won’t be the most cost effective option. The best airport to fly into to visit Capitol Reef would be Salt Lake City which is about 3 ½ hours to drive to Capitol Reef. If you plan on doing a Utah roadtrip, it may also be worth it to fly into Las Vegas as it is a short drive from the southwestern corner of Utah where you’ll find Zion National Park. The other option, and the option we would most recommend for a Utah roadtrip would be renting or taking a Camper Van/RV road trip to the park. You can find rental vans on platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy. Taking your own camper or renting one would be our top recommendation, especially going to Utah because then you can see the mighty 5 National Parks while visiting.
Planning a Utah National Parks roadtrip? Check out our other guides!
Where to Stay
Capitol Reef offers camping at the Fruita Campground at the beginning of the scenic drive as well as two free primitive campgrounds in more remote parts of the park but if you’re not into camping you can find a hotel in the nearby town of Torrey, such as the Capitol Reef Resort.
The Perfect One Day Itinerary for Capitol Reef National Park
Morning
Sunrise Over the Waterpocket Fold
Kickstart your day at Capitol Reef by witnessing the sunrise over the Waterpocket Fold. Grab a hot cup of coffee and head to Panorama Point or Sunrise Point for an awe-inspiring view of the sun painting the sandstone cliffs with vibrant colors. The peaceful morning atmosphere is perfect for some serene moments and stunning photographs. The way the light reflects on the red rock in the morning and the evening is one of our absolute favorite parts about being in Utah!
Hickman Bridge Trail & Grand Wash Trail to the Narrows
First, embark on the Hickman Bridge Trail. This is a moderate hike that winds through a canyon to a stunning natural bridge. The 1.8-mile round-trip trek offers fantastic views of the surrounding landscape and showcases the park’s diversity. We would say this hike could be rated moderate.
Next you’ll head down the road to start the Grand Wash Trail and hike to the Narrows. You can hike farther, but we found hiking to the Narrows to be a good turnaround point and still amounting to just over 2 miles. This hike is rated easy and can be done in less than an hour. You can also begin this hike from the scenic drive if that fits your route better.
Fruita Historic District
For a lunch break, head to the Fruita Historic District. Enjoy a picnic amid the orchards, where you can pick fresh fruits in season. The Gifford House Store and Museum offers homemade pies and other goodies—perfect for refueling for the adventures ahead. Getting a pie here is one of the most famous things to do as they are made fresh daily – keep in mind in the busy season they may sell out quickly. They are open from 9 am – 4 pm or until they sell out so make sure to get there a little earlier in the day if you are coming during peak season!
Afternoon
Scenic Drive, Hikes and Petroglyphs
After you’ve taken in a lovely sunrise, fit in two hikes, and had lunch you can spend the afternoon on the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive. The scenic drive offers numerous pullouts for photo ops and short hikes. For a unique opportunity to connect with the regions cultural history, stop by the Petroglyph Panel, where ancient rock art tells stories of the Fremont people!
There are two hikes along the scenic drive that we would highly recommend:
Cassidy Arch: A 3.4 mile round trip hike, rated strenuous, and you can expect for it to take about two hours. Unfortunately we didn’t have time for this hike when we went but it’s on our list for the next trip!
Capitol Gorge Trail: This is a 2 mile round trip hike that combines stunning canyon views with a glimpse into the area’s history. Admire the pioneer register, where early settlers carved their names into the rock walls, leaving a historical mark and climb to the waterpockets known as The Tanks! This was probably one of our favorite hikes in the park because there is so much to see and most of the trail is pretty flat. Be sure to wear the proper footwear because it can be rocky and uneven. This hike is at the end of the scenic drive and to get to it you will be driving down a dirt road for a few miles and depending on the weather this part of the drive may be closed due to concerns of flash flooding so it’s best to check with the rangers at the Visitor Center and the weather before beginning the hike. 4×4 is arguably recommended for this part of the drive but we made it in our 2wd Sprinter on a dry day!
Scenic Drive and Goosenecks Overlook
Continue your drive through the park and make a stop at Goosenecks Overlook. This vantage point offers a panoramic view of Sulphur Creek winding through the canyon. You can hike Sulpher Creek Canyon but we wouldn’t recommend this for a one day itinerary as it is a 5.8 mile one way hike requiring you to leave a vehicle at each end of the hike.
Sunset Point
Cap off your day by heading to Sunset Point for a mesmerizing end to your Capitol Reef experience. As the sun goes down it casts a warm glow on the rock formations, creating a picturesque scene worth capturing. Note that this is a VERY popular place for sunset so there will likely be crowds, but it’s still worth visiting!
Night
Stargazing at Capitol Reef
If your schedule allows, consider staying for a night sky experience. Capitol Reef is a designated International Dark Sky Park, offering an incredible opportunity to witness the brilliance of the stars and the Milky Way. The park even offers an astronomy program several nights a week, however the timing varies so be sure to check on the timing of the program at the visitors center.
Capitol Reef National Park is a gem of the Southwest, offering a day filled with natural wonders, history, memorable experiences, and delicious pies and fresh fruit from the orchards. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or a casual traveler, the park’s diverse offerings cater to all. It’s often overshadowed by the other Utah National Parks like Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Arches but it is just as stunning and gives you more of the landscape you love seeing in Utah. As always, remember to Leave No Trace!
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