Park Overview
Capitol Reef National Park is located in South-Central Utah. This park features red and white painted sandstone canyons, natural rock bridges, massive stone domes, and sweeping dessert vistas. This is the least visited national park of the Mighty 5 Utah national parks (Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Park), however that just means more park to yourself. This park is in an area called the Waterpocket Fold, a wrinkle in the earth that goes on for nearly 100 miles.
Hiking in Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails for hikers of all skill levels. With so much to see and hike, I’ve helped narrow it down to the top 8 best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park. These hikes will be located in the Fruita area where the trailheads are easily accessible and the hikes are all on well maintained and well established hiking trails. These hikes will take you deep into the gorges, along cliff edges of the canyons, to the top of the canyons for sweeping panoramic views, underneath massive stone bridges, and more. Capitol Reef is a highly underrated national park that offers amazing views and epic hiking.
Hickman Bridge
Distance:1.8 miles (out and back)
Elevation Gain: 442 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: One Hour
Trailhead: Small Parking Lot right next to the trailhead
Google Maps Link
Trail Description: One of the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park, this short hike takes you along the Freemont river, through the beautiful canyon, and up to the massive natural stone Hickman Bridge. This trail is well established and has only a slight incline as you make your way towards the bridge. Once you reach the end, the Hickman Bridge towers over you and nearly blocks out the blue sky. This is a great area to grab a snack and appreciate this beauty.
Keep in mind:
The parking lot next to the trailhead fits maybe 20-30 cars, so I would suggest hiking this hike earlier so you can get a parking spot. There is a bathroom at the trailhead. If you’re hiking in the summer be sure to bring enough water and sun protection as it can get very hot.
Cassidy Arch
Distance:3.1 miles (out and back)
Elevation Gain: 660 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1.5 hours
Trailhead: Round About at the end of Grand Wash Gravel Road
Google Maps Link
Trail Description:
The Cassidy Arch hike takes you to the infamous Cassidy Arch, named after the Butch Cassidy, the famous outlaw. This arch stands at a staggering 400 feet above the canyon floor and the hike leads you to a higher viewpoint looking down at the Cassidy Arch. If you’re brave enough, you can however hike from the viewpoint and over the arch itself. This hike will take you along cliff edges with some exposure and from the bottom of the wash to quickly gain 550 of elevation as you go past switchbacks and steep sections of the trail.
Keep in mind: The well maintained gravel road on Grand Wash is drive-able by passenger vehicles, though check with rangers for any signs of potential flash floods or recent rain as some parts can be a bit tricky. I was able to make the drive with a Toyota Camry, though it was a bit nerve-wracking. There are some ambiguous parts of the trail, but luckily there are cairns to help guide you.
Sunset Point / Goosenecks Overlook
Distance:2.5 miles (out and back)
Elevation Gain: 540 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 1.5 hours
Trailhead: Gravel Parking Area at the end of the gravel road off the 24
Google Maps Link
Trail Description: This short hike features views of Gooseneck Overlook which will show you views that overlook Sulphur Creek slot canyons below and the surrounding sand stone vistas. From the overlook its just a short hike to sunset point. The trail is well maintained and well established along the sandy red trail. Sunset point lives up to its name as it offers views of the sweeping Capital Reef vistas of the red and white canyon walls that stretch on for miles and miles. A definite can’t miss during your trip.
Keep in mind: If you’re hiking this during sunset be sure to bring flashlights or headlamps so you can illuminate the trail on your way back as it gets very dark very quickly. There are benches along the way that give you a great seat to a fantastic view of the Capitol Reef canyons below.
Chimney Rock Loop
Distance:3.3 miles (loop hike)
Elevation Gain: 795 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Trailhead: Small Gravel Parking Roundabout
Google Maps Link
Trail Description: This trail is moderate hike with gradual gains to lead to a high vantage point next to one of the main features of Capitol Reef National Park, the giant Chimney Rock. Chimney Rock is a 300 foot tall spire pillar made of red and white sandstone. From the trailhead Chimney Rock looks absolutely massive as it towers over you. The hike leads you to a views just above Chimney Rock on the cliffs edge and gives you views of the expansive red and orange canyons that look just wonderful. This should be on every hikers list as one of the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park.
Keep in mind: The end of the hike you can get directly on to the cliffs edge as you peer out in to the vistas, so be very careful when you’re stopping and taking photos. You can’t actually get to the top of the Chimney Rock unless you want to scramble across a very narrow ridge with complete exposure on both sides. This trail is completely out in the open with no sun cover at all, so be sure to bring sun protection and plenty of water.
Cohab Canyon Trail
Distance:3.0 miles
Elevation Gain: 790 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 2 hours
Trailhead: Park at Fruita Campground and walk across Scenic Drive. The trailhead is just southeast of the Fruita Barn
Google Maps Link
Trail Description:
Cohab Canyon Trail features a sprawling canyon and a few amazing viewpoints high on the north end. This well maintained trail will take you into the canyon walls on a quick ascent that quickly evolves into a descent that takes you directly down the canyon to the sandy wash. The wash then leads you through amazing slot canyons before you ascend to the sweeping views of Capitol Reef. The red and black sandstone walls that surround you as you make your way to the views add to an already great hike.
Keep in mind:
The beginning of the hike has the most of the elevation gain, but you will be rewarded with a descent into the canyon floor. There are also a few tight spots as you’re hiking through the slot canyons.
Panorama Point
Distance:0.3 miles (out and back)
Elevation Gain: 30 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: 10-15 minutes
Trailhead: Park in the roundabout and hike on the gravel road
Google Maps Link
Trail Description: Just a short walk to the Panorama Point will lead you from the parking lot to the vast vistas of Capitol Reef. The name does not disappoint as you will be rewarded for your short hike to magnificent 360 degree panoramic views of the red and white sandstone canyons. There are epic panoramic views for miles and miles in all directions. This is well worth the stop as a quick break between longer hikes.
Keep in mind: This is an excellent place to stop by for beautiful sunset views of the park as its just a short walk from the parking lot. Be sure to bring headlamps or flash lights to light up the walk back.
Capitol Gorge Trail
Distance:4.5 miles(out and back)
Elevation Gain: 375 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: Two to Three Hours
Trailhead: Small Gravel Parking Area
Google Maps Link
Trail Description:
This hike features a hike into a gorge through the canyons with pietroglphys along the trail, rock formations, with view points that reveal them selves as the gorge opens up at the end. This hike is on a gravel path and also has the Pioneer Register and water tanks at the end.
Keep in mind: The road to drive ont his trail is on gravel wash so driving will be very slow in a normal passenger vehicle. At the end of the hike is a barbed wire fence and to get to the tanks you’ll ahve to do a bit of scrambling. If you hike this later in the day there will be no shade, so be sure to bring enough sun cover.
Rim Overlook Trail
Distance:4.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,050 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
Duration: Two to Three Hours
Trailhead: Small Parking Lot right next to the Hickman trailhead
Google Maps Link
Trail Description: This hike features expansive views of the historic town of Fruita and expansive views of canyon valley. This hike ascends the entire way to the view point with moderate gains each step of the way. The trail follows along the red sandstone alongside the Fremont River.
Keep in mind: Similar to other hikes in Capitol Reef that have very little sun cover, this hike is no exception. Be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunblock to protect yourself from the sun.
Relevant Questions Section(s)
What is Capitol Reef famous for?
Capitol Reef is famous for its vermilion vistas, natural sandstone bridges, beautiful rock formations, and its red and white canyon walls. Capitol Reef is located in a unique geological feature called the Waterpocket Fold, which is a wrinkle in the Earth that goes on for miles and miles. The varying sights and adventures people can experience at Capitol Reef National Park are out of this world. Since this park is the least visited of the Utah Mighty 5, you’ll be able to have more solitude and sights to yourself.
How much time do you need at Capitol Reef?
There are so many things to see and hikes to hike in Capitol Reef, so you should dedicate at least one full day in the park. This park is located in the south Utah and is two hours away from Bryce Canyon National Park or three hours away from Zion National Park, so it will take time to get there. By allocating at least one full day in the park you will be able to do at least three short hikes to see sights such as the Hickman Bridge, Cassidy Arch, or the Chimney Spire. Any time less in the park would not be worth it as it takes hours to get there and you wouldn’t have enough time to experience the park up close and personal.
Where should I stay when visiting Capitol Reef?
There are a number of options for places to stay for visitors to Capitol Reef National Park. Here is a quick list of where you could stay when visiting Capitol Reef:
Fruita Campground
Type: Campsite
Address: Camp Ground Rd, Torrey, UT 84775
Cost Per Night: $20
Fruita Campsite is a well developed campsite with bathrooms and has 71 campsites for visitors. Each campsite has its own picnic table, fire pit, but not electrical or sewer hook-ups. There are bathrooms with running water and flushing toilets. This campsite is open year-round and the campsites are reserveable from March 1st through October 31st. This is the best option as you’ll already be directly in the park when you wake up! There’s also nothing like waking up to canyon views and fresh air!
Capitol Reef Resort
Type: Hotel
Address: 2600 UT-24, Torrey, UT 84775
Cost Per Night: $175-$199
Capitol Reef Resort is located just 10 minutes outside of Capitol Reef National Park. This place offers a luxury experience for visitors to the park from cabins to wagons or teepees. This chic experience is a great alternative to those who prefer not to camp! You’ll have great views of the red rock canyons depending on which room you get.
Noor Hotel of Capitol Reef
Type:Hotel
Address:877 UT-24, Torrey, UT 84775
Cost Per Night: $95-$139
This hotel sits just 10-15 minutes outside of Capitol Reef National Park and offers spacious non-smoking rooms. You’ll also potentially have views of the red canyon walls.
What are easy hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef has hundreds of miles of hiking trails which means they have great easy hikes. The top five easiest hikes to do in Capitol Reef National Park are Hickman Bridge, Panorama Point, and Cassidy Arch. Each of these hikes is under 3.5 miles with less than 700 feet of elevation gain in each. Each of these hikes can be completed in under two hours and the effort to rewards for this hike is unmatched as you’ll be able to see a huge natural stone bridge, a massive stone arch, and panoramic views of the expansive red and white canyons.
