7 Best Hikes at Capitol Reef National Park – A Complete Guide

How Much Time do you Need at Capitol Reef National Park?

I recommend spending 1-2 days at Capitol Reef National Park.  You will be able to hit some of the best Capitol Reef hikes and enjoy some of the scenic drives and historical landmarks.

Is Capitol Reef National Park Worth Seeing?

Absolutely! Hiking in Capitol Reef is an experience you will never forget. 

It doesn’t have the popularity of the other National Parks in Utah partly because it doesn’t have that one iconic hike or arch.  However, Capitol Reef has some other things going for it.  Some of the highlights worth mentioning are:

• International Dark Sky
• Hiking in the Canyons
• Historic Sites within the park

One thing I noticed is that Capitol Reef is not as built up as the other parks.  I personally like this aspect.  It feels like you are driving into an incredible otherworldly experience.  There is no gate for entry fees, many of the roads are not paved, and the crowd levels are very low.  

The hikes in Capitol Reef National Park are hidden gems!  

What is Unique About Hiking Capitol Reef National Park?

As you are hiking Capitol Reef National Park, be sure to check out the night sky, and explore the canyons.

Canyon Hikes at Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef has some amazing canyons.  The sounds that can be produced in these canyons are incredible.  I enjoyed hiking Capitol Reef canyons, honestly because I kind of felt like a kid, I called out and loved hearing my voice answer back.

Another thing I loved about hiking on the Capitol Reef trails is that you can learn the history of the area.

Night Sky

The surrounding towns are small, and as such, there is not much light at night to obscure your view of the night sky. The view of the stars at night is incredible!

What Does Capitol Reef Offer?

I also feel that Capitol Reef is a microcosm of what the great outdoors in Utah has to offer — it has arches, slot canyons, and desert landscapes in places, but also has fruit orchards and mountainous climbs in others.

The differing views and heights, combined with the relative ease to access the hikes at Capitol Reef, give the eye of a multitude of colors and opportunities in a short period of time and distance.

Where Should I Stay when Visiting Capitol Reef National Park?

Since there are no large towns near Capital Reef, you will not have access to large, national hotel chains (sorry Marriott or Hilton reward members).

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t lodging opportunities. There are plenty of places to stay.

There are campsites located within the park and nearby. But please note that a number of campsites you may search for on Google or otherwise may be far from the national park.

Also, if you are camping with kids this is a fantastic area to camp at. 

There are also small hotels, cabins, and RV sites in the area.

Capitol Reef National Park Camping

If you are planning a camping trip, I recommend booking a site months in advance. Campsites can fill up fast. “Winter” season (the time when campsites close) starts as early as September for many campsites, which means if you plan to visit in the fall, you may have limited options.

You can find out information about various campsites and book your stay at recreation.gov.

The Fruita Campground is located within Capitol Reef National Park.  With the surrounding orchards, this is the most beautiful spot to camp. The 71 campsites are surrounded by a historic orchard in the middle of the desert.  The Fremont River runs through the campsites as well.

Each of these campsites has a firepit and picnic table.  These are the best Capitol Reef National Park camping sites. 

Other Capitol Reef National Park Camping Options

If you are unable to secure a site at the Fruita location, there are other campsites close by to Capitol Reef National Park.

We camped at Wonderland RV Park had a great time. It was very close to the National Park and was next to a farm. And of course, if you are traveling in an RV, this is a great place for you to stay.

If you check out recreation.gov or Google, you will see you have a number of other options if you want to get a place beforehand. 

There is also more primitive camping nearby as well.

Resorts and Hotels Near Capitol Reef National Park

If camping isn’t your thing, there are a few hotels which may be a better option for you.  There are places such as the Noor Hotel and Rim Rock Inn close to Fruita. There are also a number of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast locations in or near Torrey.

Capitol Reef Resort

Image Courtesy of Capitol Reef Resort

You may also want to take a look at the Capitol Reef Resort.  This resort has something for everyone. There are luxury traditional hotel options as well glamping options: teepees and covered wagons are just a few of these unique experiences at the resort.

Hours and Admission to Capitol Reef National Park

The park is open year-round. The visitor center is only open from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.  Please note that during the winter season, food establishments in Torrey may close earlier, and many campsites will not be open.

Admission:

$20 per car for a pass that is good for 7 days.  You can also purchase a National Parks Pass (America the Beautiful) that will be good for Capitol Reef admission and admission to all other national parks for a year.

Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park

• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Camping
• Scenic Drives
• Canyoneering
• Rappelling

Best Hikes at Capitol Reef National Park

We have young children and wanted to do the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park for kids.  So most of the hikes we did were easy.  

1. Panorama Point

Miles: .3 roundtrip

Easy Hike at Capitol Reef National Park

The first hike at Capitol Reef National Park we did when we entered was Panorama Point. Located just off of the main road, you can walk from the parking lot right out to rock overlooks that provide phenomenal landscape views.

This Capitol Reef hike is perfect for kids! 

2. Goosenecks Point

Miles .2 miles Round Trip

Easy Hike at Capitol Reef National Park

Once we were done with Panorama Point, we kept driving off- the-beaten-path before returning to the main road (and on the advice of a tourist and information center that we had stopped at near our campsite). We are glad we did.

You do not have to drive far to arrive at a parking lot that has access to two short trails — Gooseneck Trail and Overlook and Sunset Point Trail.

Overlook

The Gooseneck Trail is one of the best hikes at Capitol Reef National Park and takes you up and out to a beautiful view down at Sulphur Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River. This is one of the first stops as you enter the park.  You can park and walk straight up.  There are dramatic canyon views.

This is another easy and one of the best Capitol Reef hikes that is great for kids! 

3. Sunset Point Trail

Miles: .8 roundtrip

Easy Hike at Capitol Reef National Park

Located near Goosenecks Overlook, Sunset Point trail is one of the best hikes at Capitol Reef National Park.  It is a little longer but still considered easy.  We easily walked to a beautiful overlook area. We love that this hike is nice and short with great views! 

4. Grand Wash

Miles: 4.4 round trip

Easy Hike at Capitol Reef National Park

In my opinion, this is the best hike in Capitol Reef National Park.  The best part is that most of this hike is located in a canyon.  My kids loved yelling, singing, and talking because there is an incredible echo.

Because our kids can only handle so much hiking we did not do the entire hike.  We went about halfway and then went back.  This was my family’s favorite Capitol Reef hike.

It was so cool and perfectly easy! it is the best hike at Capitol Reef National Park.

5. Capitol Gorge Trail

Miles: 2.0 round trip

Easy Hike at Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Gorge Trail is another easy hike in Capitol Reef.  It has a deep canyon. We think it is one of the best hikes at Capitol Reef National Park because it will take you back 100 years to when the pioneers settled the area. 

As you hike about a half a mile into the canyon you will see historic inscriptions from the first pioneers in the area. 

Honestly, after you reach that point don’t feel bad about turning and coming back.  It is more of the same as you keep going further down the path. 

If you are looking for kid-friendly hikes at Capitol Reef National Park, make this one short and just head back after seeing the inscriptions. 

Best Hikes at Capitol Reef National Park

The most popular hikes at Capitol Reef are Cassidy Arch and Hickman Bridge.  These hikes are moderate and longer.  There are also drop-offs that I didn’t feel comfortable taking my kids on.  If you want to hike one of the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park these hikes are for you. 

6. Cassidy Arch

Miles: 3.1 round trip

As I said, this is the most popular hike at Capitol Reef National Park.  Cassidy Arch is amazing.  It is worth it if you are up for doing a little rock climbing and can handle strenuous uphill inclines.   

It is a tough hike but the reward at the end is worth it!  This may be the best hike at Capitol Reef National Park. 

7. Hickman Bridge

Miles: 1.7 round trip

Easy Capitol Reef National Park Best Hikes

Hickman Bridge is the 2nd most popular hike at Capitol Reef National Park.  It is an easy hike with great rewards at the end.  We did not have time to do this one but will next time we go! 

This hike is best done in the early morning because there is very little shade.  So make it the first hike of the day! 

Sites at Capitol Reef National Park

The Fruita Historic District is actually located inside the park is one of the best  things to do at Capitol Reef National Park.  I thought this section was so fun.

Ripple Rock Nature Center

The nature center is only open at certain times of the year.  It has some great information about the park.

Blacksmith Shop

The blacksmith shop is a historic replica of what a blacksmith shop would have been in the pioneer times.  There is a recording that gives fun historic information.

Gifford House

The Gifford House had my attention right away. Located outside is a sign that says fresh pies and cinnamon rolls!  I was ready to go right in!

The house is very cute!  Not only do they have fresh baked goods but they have canned products like salsa and local goods.  You can also get ice cream at the Gifford House.

This is very unique for a National Park.  This historic district adds so much “flavor” to Capitol Reef. 

Scenic Drives at Capitol Reef National Park

Can I Drive through Capitol Reef National Park?

Yes, you can drive through the park and stop at the fun historical sites and picnic but I would suggest getting out of the car and taking a few hikes at Capitol Reef to really take in the scenery.

Many of the roads that lead to the Capitol Reef trail-heads are not paved so they are bumpy and dirty.  Our mini-van handled off-roading pretty well!

I would encourage some off-the-beaten-path drives when visiting Capitol Reef National Park. All-wheel drive or at the least high clearance is recommended, but we did see plenty of sedans tackling the dirt roads. 

Adventures in Capitol Reef National Park

Rappelling and canyoneering are popular activities within the park.

Horseback riding is available nearby.

For kids, the Visitor Center is a great place to stop. The Junior Ranger program is a fun activity to do while hiking at Capitol Reef National Park.

Where Should I Eat at Capitol Reef National Park?

The local towns have a few restaurants but one that we highly recommend is Slackers.  

Slackers

This is the hottest place in town! Slackers has an all-American menu.  Shakes, pies, and other desserts are a must when you stop here. Believe me, when we went it was crowded! 

We tried a variety of ice cream and dinner options. The service was great and the food hit the spot.

Picnic near the Fremont River

If you want to plan ahead and purchase food ahead of time, there is a beautiful picnic area in Fruita.  It is actually located inside Capitol Reef National Park.

The picnic area has lots of tables and is close to the historic district.  There is shade which is a big plus. It is a perfect place to have a lovely picnic.

Are you Ready to Go on the Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park?

Hopefully, this helps you plan for your trip to Capitol Reef National Park.  It is such an amazing place I know you will have a great time enjoying the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park. 

We consider Capitol Reef National Park one of the best National Parks in the USA! If you are considering heading over to Moab, Utah to explore Arches and Canyonland National Parks be sure to stop at Goblin Valley State Park on your way.  It is amazing!  Have a wonderful time exploring Utah’s Mighty 5 parks. 

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