Capitol Reef National Park

This lesser-known park is part of the “Mighty Five”: A drive visitors can take to visit five national parks in Utah all in one trip. This park is located near the middle of the state, between Bryce Canyon and Canyonlands, and offers an oasis in the desert. Marvel at beautiful scenery, like the Hickman Natural Bridge , waterpocket fold , and Cassidy Arch . Learn about the Fremont Culture that used to call Capitol Reef home by viewing the petroglyphs in the park. Finally, don’t leave before you enjoy a freshly made fruit pie at Gifford House in Fruita Campground! Adventure awaits in this quiet, lesser-visited park.

The trail to Hickman Natural Bridge is an easy, 2-mile out and back hike from the parking lot, located along Highway 24. This hike will offer you a spectacular view of the Bridge, a natural archway characterized by the orange and red color unique to Utah’s parks. This same trail passes an overlook of the Fremont River and is the perfect place for a picnic or light hike to begin or end your day.

Cathedral Valley

Cathedral Valley is a remote, rugged region in Capitol Reef National Park. Foot and road traffic in this region is light. There’s no drinkable water in the area so if you plan to explore, you’ll need to plan and pack in exactly what you need. For backpackers, there’s one primitive campground.

Your reward for undertaking this trek is a stunning view of a dazzling night sky. On a clear night, you can see constellations, the Milky Way, and other space phenomena across the vast expanse of a pitch black sky. If you plan to stay here, you must be able to present a backpacking permit. The permit is free and can be obtained at the Visitors Center during normal business hours.

One of my favorite features of the park, the Capitol Reef Petroglyphs were carved by the Fremont Culture. The Fremont Culture lived in the area that is now Capitol Reef National Park from about 300 to 1,300 Common Era (CE) before disappearing from the area.

These Petroglyphs are easy to find, situated by two boardwalks along Utah State Route 24. The designs include human-like formations, as well as bighorn sheep and other animals.

Keep an eye out for local programming happening in the park when you are visiting. You may be able to attend a Ranger session describing the history of the Fremont culture and these markings.

Capitol Reef only has one developed campground, Fruita campground, but there are also some primitive camping options at Cathedral Valley campground and Cedar Mesa campground.

The Fruita campground is situated in an oasis in the desert, snuggled right next to the Fremont River and between many historic orchards planted by the original European settlers in the area in the late 1800s. This campground has 71 sites and includes restrooms with running water, but no showers. This campground also has a potable water station to fill up your bottles.

Campsites are reservable year-round and can be reserved up to six months in advance at recreation.gov.

Another spot to make sure you check out while staying in the campground is Gifford House. The entire homestead is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the original house was built in 1908. These days, the house offers unique handmade items made by local artisans and craftsmen as well as mouth watering freshly baked fruit pies and homemade ice cream! Get there early as the pies are made fresh every morning and sell out quickly.

There is evidence of people living in what is today Capitol Reef National Park for thousands of years. Hunters and gatherers migrated through the area as long ago as 7,000 BCE. The Fremont Culture solidified in the area around 300 CE, and in the late 1,800s explorers and Mormon Pioneers began populating the area, planting pear, apple, and peach orchards in what is now the Fruita Rural Historic District.

After many years of locals advocating to preserve the natural beauty of the area, in 1937 President Franklin D. Roosevelt set aside 37,711 acres as Capitol Reef National Monument. Capitol Reef officially became a National Park in December 1971.