Stop 3: Capitol Reef National Park
Days Needed 1-2
Located in the heart of Utah’s red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park marks stop number three and the halfway point of the Mighty Five road trip.
The park, named for its white, capitol building-esque sandstone domes and massive reef-like rock barrier, boasts one of Utah’s most quintessential desert landscapes, and yet it’s often left out of conversations centered on Utah’s top outdoor destinations.
Part of this under-the-radar identity is likely attributed to the park’s off-the-beaten-path location, far away from major interstates and populated areas.
And while this might deter visitors from making it a destination all on its own, its nearly equidistant location between Canyonlands and Bryce Canyon makes it an excellent stop on a trip such as this.
Capitol Reef is a long and narrow park that stretches over sixty miles from north to south but averages just six miles in width.
The park is generally considered to have three regions- remote Cathedral Valley to the north, the Waterpocket Fold area to the south, and the Fruita Historic District in the middle.
Of the three regions, the Fruita Historic District is easily the most accessible and houses nearly all of the park’s most popular activities. For those reasons, that’s the area we’ll focus on for this trip.
The Fruita District
The Fruita district is comprised of two main arteries: breathtaking Highway 24, which runs east/west and serves as the entrance point on either side of the park, and Scenic Drive, which branches off Highway 24 and twists visitors through eight miles of winding picturesque road.
These two thoroughfares contain nearly every major point of interest in the district, and a drive down either one will have you on sensory overload as you take in the colorful rocks, cliffs, canyons, and spires around you.
You may also be surprised to find a verdant valley filled with various fruit trees here. (Stop by the Gifford Homestead for a delicious fruit pie!) The Fremont River keeps this desert oasis thriving, and the greenery is a welcomed contrast to the rocky terrain surrounding it.
In addition to the many sites and features viewable from the road, there are many other can’t-miss features best seen on foot.
Can’t-Miss Features on Foot
If you only have time for one of these activities, a hike to Hickmann Bridge is a superb choice. This arch-like sandstone feature spans 133 feet, and a moderate, 1.7- mile trail will get you there.
On the way up, you’ll enjoy unobstructed views of two prominent landmarks, Navajo Dome and Capitol Dome. Once you reach the bridge, you can capture yourself standing beneath it.
For a more challenging hike, consider taking the 3-mile roundtrip trail up to Cassidy Arch, named for outlaw Butch Cassidy, who used the park’s land as an 1800s hideout. This distinguishable arch connects to surrounding rock, forming a bridge that hikers can traverse from one side to the other.
The trail begins with a fairly steep incline up a series of cliffside switchbacks before it opens up and levels off considerably. As a reward for completing the initial ascent, you’ll have fantastic 360-degree views leading up to the arch.
The final stretch of the trail does pass over some slick rock which can make it a bit harder to follow, so keep an eye out for the rock cairns and download the trail map via AllTrails to keep yourself on the right path.
For a much easier and completely different kind of hiking experience, the Grand Wash Trail is another solid option.
The trail, which shares its first quarter mile with Cassidy Arch, takes a flat, 4.5-mile route through a dried-up wash bed surrounded by towering canyon walls. At one point, the walls close to a width of just fifteen feet, giving trail-goers a taste of what slot canyon hiking is like.
Washes like this are prone to flooding, so check the park’s forecast before heading out!
Chimney Rock, a towering 300-foot spire, is another noteworthy landmark Located off Highway 24. This impressive geological feature can be admired from its roadside viewpoint or enjoyed from various vantage points along a 3.3-mile trail.
If you opt for the hike, take the loop counter-clockwise, which gets the steep incline out of the way first. As you make your way around the loop, you’ll encounter a diverse landscape with breathtaking views at every turn. For those seeking a less-trafficked activity that still offers unmatched beauty, Chimney Rock Loop will not disappoint.
Like the first two parks on our trip, Capitol Reef has no shortage of sun exposure, so keep that in mind as you choose your hiking routes, and try to knock out the longest ones before mid-day if you can!
Sunsets and Stargazing
As you wind down your day, the park has two fantastic options to take in another hallmark desert sunset.
Sunset Point, located near the park’s western entrance, requires just a five-minute walk from the parking lot to take in the glorious evening views. The real show here isn’t the sun itself, but the massive layers of rock that morph into several different hues of red as the final beams of daylight bounce off them.
Just down the road, you’ll find sunset option number two, Panoramic Point. This equally stellar choice is easily accessible and presents visitors with unmatched 360-degree views of the park.
Given the point’s close location to Highway 24, I’d recommend a short stop here to take in the incredible vistas, even if you pass by during the middle of the day.
Once the sun disappears, you may be ready to pack it in, but I’d highly suggest sticking around a while longer to watch the night sky’s transformation.
On a clear night, stars reveal themselves by the thousands, which is why Capitol Reef was designated as an International Dark Sky Park seven years ago. As someone who has enjoyed many starry nights in many places, very few skies have compared to the ones I‘ve witnessed here.
A Chance to Disconnect and Embrace Nature
After spending the trip’s first two days in the always-bustling Moab area, Capitol Reef is sure to present you with a nice respite from the dense crowds and heavily trafficked roads. The park’s remote location offers a rare opportunity to fully disconnect and embrace the wonders of nature without all of the gimmicks and chaos you may encounter elsewhere.
In my humble opinion, this opportunity to disconnect is a big part of what makes Capitol Reef such a unique and special place.
After experiencing this uncanny sense of peace and solitude of Capitol Reef yourself, you should be filled with a renewed sense of energy and excitement as you move on to the second half of the Mighty Five Road Trip and your fourth stop: Bryce Canyon National Park.
Sample Itinerary:Day 3
- Arrive early via highway 24’s eastern entrance. Head west to the visitor center and stop inside.
- Take Scenic Drive from the visitor center then turn left on Grand Wash Rd. Follow the road until it ends at the Cassidy Arch Trailhead. Hike the 3-mile out and back trail and add on a partial hike of the Grand Wash Trail (which branches off near the beginning).
- Re-trace the drive down Grand Wash and make a left on Scenic Drive. Complete the remainder of the drive and take in the views until the road dead ends at the Capitol Gorge trailhead.
- Head back down Scenic Drive to the Gifford Homestead. Stop inside and grab one of their famous pies made fresh from the valley’s orchard!
- Break for lunch
- Head back to Hwy 24 and turn right. Stop at the Hickmann Bridge Trailhead and complete the 1.7-mile hike.
- Head west on 24 and stop at the turn-offs for the Fluted Wall and Chimney Rock. Hike part of Chimney Rock if you if time allows
- Re-trace your drive back east for 1/3 mile and make a left on Gooseneck Road. Follow the road until it ends at the parking lot for Gooseneck Point and Sunset Point. Hike the 2/3-mile round-trip hike to Sunset Point at sunset.
- If you’ve packed dinner, take the turn off to Panorama Point on your way back to Hwy 24. Wrap up the day with some stargazing.
- If you need a meal, get back on 24 and head west until you reach the small town of Torrey and grab dinner at one of their several dining options. (Just be aware of early closing times!)
Where to Eat:
- The Rim Rock Patio (pizza, pasta, salad, tamales)
- Cafe La Cueva (Mexian fare)
- Broken Spur Steakhouse (steaks, ribs, salads)
- Capitol Burger (food truck)
- Wild Rabbit Cafe (scrambles, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, coffee/tea)
- Hunt & Gather Restaurant (upscale American fare)
- Etta Place Cider (locally harvested ciders, tours available)
Where to Stay:
- Fruita Campground (only campground in the park)
- Wonderland RV Park (4 miles)
- Capitol Reef Resort (2 miles)
- Skyridge Inn (4 miles)
- Chuck Wagon Lodge (5 miles)
- Motel Torrey (6 miles)
- Torrey Schoolhouse B&B Inn (5 miles)
