At a glance
Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles.
Things to do: Arts and Culture · Cultural Demonstrations · Astronomy · Stargazing · Biking · Road Biking · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Car or Front Country Camping · Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use) · Group Camping · RV Camping · Canyoneering · Climbing
ParkAtlas, maintained by Stellaroos, combines its park and trail dataset with public information from the National Park Service. NPS data snapshot retrieved . Fees, access, and conditions can change; verify current details with NPS before traveling.
Popular trails
Curated routes with approximate round-trip distance. Tap one to log it in the app.In the app, tap one to log it.
Camping
Approximately 71 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reservations are strongly recommended in peak season (March – May, Sept – Oct).
Best time to visit
Peak season: March – May, Sept – Oct. The park is open year-round, though some roads and facilities close or run reduced hours in winter.
Weather is posted daily; check at the park visitor center for weather updates. Do not enter into narrow canyons if there is a threat of rain or if rain has been falling in the area. Rain and snow may also make dirt roads impassable to vehicles.
Pack for Capitol Reef
Four things worth having for desert heat and long exposed miles. From the full gear list; links support ParkAtlas.
Outdoor Research Echo sun hoodie
Sun protection without the sunscreen-on-your-arms routine. Dries in minutes.
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LMNT electrolytes
Water alone isn't enough on a hot day. One packet per bottle.
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Sun Bum sunscreen
High elevation sun is not the sun you're used to. Reapply at lunch.
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YETI Rambler bottle
Ice at the trailhead is still ice back at the car.
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Entrance fees
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — An entrance fee is charged per vehicle.$20
- Entrance - Motorcycle — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.$15
- Entrance - Per Person — Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians.$10
- Commercial Entrance - Per Person — Commercial Road-Based Tours are required to obtain a Commercial Use Authorization before visiting Capitol Reef. When visiting the park, the tour must then pay the separate entrance fee at the visitor center (or through pay.gov). Tours with vehicle capacity of 15 or less should apply for a CUA in the "Guided Interpretive Tours" category. Tours of this size fall under the Guided Activities entry fee structure.$10
- Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — Commercial Road-Based Tours are required to obtain a Commercial Use Authorization before visiting Capitol Reef National Park. When visiting the park, the tour must then pay the separate entrance fee at the visitor center (or through pay.gov). Vehicle capacity of 16 seats or greater: $100.00 entrance fee$100
Annual Entrance - Park: $35. An America the Beautiful pass ($80/yr) covers every national park.
Getting there
Nearest city: Torrey, UT. Park center: 38.090°, -111.150°.
5 km). 3 miles (60 km). From I-15: take exit 188 then US-50 east toward Scipio. 1 km). 3 km). 3 miles. UT-12: North on highway 12 to Torrey, UT. Right onto UT-24.
Coming from a big city? See every park near Salt Lake City or Las Vegas.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit Capitol Reef National Park?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $20. Entrance - Motorcycle: $15. Entrance - Per Person: $10.
When is the best time to visit Capitol Reef?
Peak season is March – May, Sept – Oct. The park is open year-round, with some roads and facilities on reduced winter schedules. Weather is posted daily; check at the park visitor center for weather updates. Do not enter into narrow canyons if there is a threat of rain or if rain has been falling in the area. Rain and snow may also make dirt roads impassable to vehicles.
Can you camp in Capitol Reef National Park?
Yes — about 71 campsites across the park's campgrounds. Reserve ahead in peak season.
What is the closest city to Capitol Reef National Park?
Torrey, UT is the nearest major city. 5 km). 3 miles (60 km). From I-15: take exit 188 then US-50 east toward Scipio. 1 km). 3 km). 3 miles. UT-12: North on highway 12 to Torrey, UT. Right onto UT-24.
What are the best hikes in Capitol Reef?
Popular trails include Cassidy Arch Trail (6.4 mi), Chimney Rock Loop (3.6 mi), Cohab Canyon Trail (3.5 mi), Grand Wash Trail (4.4 mi). The park has roughly 14 named trails.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.