Capitol Reef National Park
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- Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef's three sections are terrific places for scenic drives, hiking and biking adventures, and rock climbing. Seasonally, you can sample fruit from the historic orchards in the Fruita section. Take a break to explore the Gifford Homestead. The 124-mile-long Loop-the-Fold is an outstanding place for a scenic drive to see the Golden Throne and the Carmel Formation. The remote North Cathedral Valley District is terrific for seeing volcanic dikes and basalt boulders. Since many areas of this park are spread out, RVing to Capitol Reef National Park is a fabulous idea. You can find RV rentals near Capitol Reef National Park in Grand Junction, CO, and Provo, UT.
Permits are needed for backpacking, bouldering, canyoneering, and rock climbing at Capitol Reef National Park. A favorite activity at Capitol Reef National Park is taking the Scenic Drive. This road, including the Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge dirt spurs, is open to RVs 27 feet long and shorter. The main entrance to this park is along Utah Highway 24, near Torrey, and it is easily accessible to RVs. In addition to the information in this RV guide to Capitol Reef National Park, visitors can learn more by stopping at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center. Just a short distance inside the entrance, the center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the spring, summer, and fall and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the winter. The best RV parking in Capitol Reef National Park is at the center. Learn more about current conditions at the park's National Park Service page.
- Spring 34-74 F
- Summer 58-88 F
- Fall 55-66 F
- Winter 20-51 F
- Coming soon
- Capitol Reef National Park Private Vehicle: $20
- Capitol Reef National Park Motorcyle: $15
- Capitol Reef National Park Per Person: $10
- Capitol Reef National Park Annual Pass: $35
RV Rentals Near Capitol Reef National Park
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Capitol Reef National Park Hiking Trails
Hikes at Capitol Reef National Park can be divided into three broad categories based on their location within the park. In the Fruita District, many of the trails offer dramatic canyon views. The Hickman Bridge Trail leads to a 133-foot-long natural bridge. Hikers choosing the Waterpocket District can explore Burro Wash, Cottonwood Wash, and Sheets Gulch slot canyons or bigger canyons like Red, Surprise, and Headquarters. Most of the trails in the Cathedral District start off Utah 24 and may include fording a river.
Things to do Outside Capitol Reef National Park
The nearest community to Capitol Reef National Park is Torrey, Utah, which is about 20 miles to the northwest. Consider driving along the 122-mile-long A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway, an All-American Road. This road ends near Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. As it winds through the Harry Mountains and Dixie National Forest, it passes near Kodachrome Basin State Park, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Anasazi State Park Museum, and Bryce Canyon National Park.
If you enter Capitol Reef National Park from the east, you will come through Hanksville, Utah, which is very close to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Hanksville is near the Fishlake Scenic Byway, a 29.6-mile-long scenic road, where guests often see moose and elk as they drive through the Fishlake National Forest.
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RV Resorts & Campsites near Capitol Reef National Park
Fruita Campground is the only developed campground in Capitol Reef National Park. Reservations are available from March 1 to October 31. The campground is first-come, first-served the rest of the year. Camping during the spring, summer, and fall costs $25 per night. A dump station is available. The park also has two primitive campgrounds. Cathedral Valley Campground usually requires a 4X4 vehicle to reach it. There are six free sites, and each one comes with a fire ring and picnic table. Cedar Mesa Campground is accessible by most vehicles. This free campground has a pit toilet but no services.
There are many camping options near Capitol Reef National Park, such as in Dixie National Forest and Fishlake National Forest. Bryce Canyon National Park has two campgrounds. There are also campgrounds at Kodachrome Basin State Park and Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. There are numerous campgrounds in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. You can also find numerous private campgrounds, which start at about $50 per night.
Campgrounds Near Capitol Reef National Park
Find the Best Dumpstations Near Capitol Reef National Park
Dumpstations Near Capitol Reef National Park
How to get to Capitol Reef National Park
Canyonlands Field in Moab, Utah, is the closest regional airport to Capitol Reef National Park. From Moab, get on US 191 North. Take the ramp to get on Interstate 70, going west. You'll also be traveling west on I-70 if you're coming from Grand Junction. Use Exit 149 and turn west on Utah State Route 24. Drive 81.1 miles, and you will enter the park as the highway runs through it. The entrance is very near the visitor center and Panoramic Point.
If you're driving to Capitol Reef National Park from Salt Lake City or Las Vegas on Interstate 15, take the I-70 East exit. When you reach Utah State Highway 89/259, turn right (south). Then, you'll turn left (east) on Utah State Highway 24 and continue for 82 miles until you reach the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Capitol Reef National Park has an accessible visitor center, campground, and picnic area. Trails to the Fremont Culture petroglyphs and the Fruita Schoolhouse are accessible as well. There are also scenic overlooks and wayside exhibits throughout the park that are accessible for wheelchairs.
Pets are allowed in parts of Capitol Reef National Park. They must be on a 6-foot or shorter leash at all times. Pets can be on the trail from the visitor center to Fruita Campground, on parts of the Fremont River Trail and in several other areas of the park. Pets are not permitted in public buildings, the backcountry, or other hiking trails. Be sure to check with a ranger to make sure your pet stays in areas where they are allowed.
Some of the. topthings to do at Capitol Reef National Park include taking the scenic drive along Highway 24, taking the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, and visiting the Temple of the Sun and Moon. There is lots of hiking within the park, along with horseback riding, canyoneering, biking, and more.
Yes, there is one designated campground in Capitol Reef National Park. The Fruita Campground has picnic tables, firepits, plus an RV dump and potable water fill station. There are no hookups for RVs.
The best time to visit Capitol Reef National Park is in spring and fall. Capitol Reef can get very hot in summer, and cold in winter with freezing temps and snow. Spring and fall have mild weather so you can hike and explore comfortably.
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