Things To Do

Whether you have a couple hours or multiple days, Capitol Reef is full of opportunities to recreate. The park has something to offer to all visitors. Below are some ideas to get started and suggested itineraries.

Black and white photo of old fashioned car meeting two wagons pulled by horses in a narrow canyon.

Explore Capitol Reef by vehicle.

RVs, tents, cars, and vans in a green, shaded campground, with some fall colors.

With one developed campground, two primitive campgrounds, and vast backcountry options, there are many places to stay the night in the park.

Hikers looking at the rock walls on the Capitol Gorge trail

Capitol Reef is a hiker's dream. Learn more about the trails and routes.

Packhorse and person by wooden fence in a large canyon

Most of the park's 243,921 acres is open for exploration. Try hiking, wildlife-viewing, horseback riding, or rock climbing.

Ranger presenting program to visitors at Capitol Reef National Park

Join a ranger to discover more about the natural and cultural wonders of Capitol Reef.

Tree with green leaves, light greenish red pears in front of a log building with rocky slopes behind

Whether you have half a day or more, spend your time exploring the Fruita area by car or on foot.

Blue sky, large white slopes, with red triangular shaped rocks below, green grass in the foreground

Experience the less-visited, southern part of Capitol Reef, where the dramatic angle of the Waterpocket Fold is on display.

Large red, triangular monolith, reflected in a puddle, with blue sky above, and red rock to the side

The remote and rugged northern part of Capitol Reef offers adventurous visitors solitude and spectacular views.

Volunteer saying Junior Ranger pledge with three children and an adult.

Capitol Reef offers activities for people of all ages. Check out these ideas!

Visitor picking fruit in an orchard open for picking

Historic orchards contain about 2,000 trees including cherry, apricot, peach, pear, apple, plum, mulberry, almond, and walnut.

Black and white long-haired dog with a woman walking it and another dog on a leash.

Where can you take your pet in Capitol Reef National Park?

Plan your visit with maps and information about Capitol Reef.

Visitors in the bookstore operated by the Capitol Reef Natural History Association

The Capitol Reef Natural History Association operates the bookstore in the Capitol Reef Visitor Center.

Person rapelling down redrock cliff wall with blue sky above.

Find out what permits you need for special activities, like canyoneering, rock climbing, commercial tours, and others.

Suggested Itineraries

Below are some suggested ways to spend your time. If you have:

One or Two Hours:

Stop at the visitor center and watch the park movie, "Watermark." Also available online.
Take a short hike, such as Hickman Bridge.
Tour the Scenic Drive (approximately 90 minutes round trip).
Visit the petroglyph panel, historic schoolhouse, or the Gifford House Store and Museum to enjoy fresh baked pie when in season!
Pick some delicious fruit when in season.
Join a ranger for a program.

One Day:

Take a longer hike, such as Cohab Canyon or Chimney Rock.
Join a ranger-guided walk, talk, evening program or astronomy program.
Become a Junior Ranger. Booklets are available at the visitor center.
Tour the North District/Cathedral Valley (often HC4WD) or the South District/Waterpocket District. Check at the visitor center for current road conditions or call 435-425-3791. Press 1 for more information, then 4 for road conditions.

Several Days:

Combine several day trip options.
Hike the shorter trails and routes in the South/Waterpocket District or North/Cathedral Valley.
Enjoy the park's pristine night sky by stargazing. Night sky charts are available at the visitor center.
Backpack into remote areas of the park and experience solitude and quiet. Check for current weather, road, and trail conditions at the visitor center. A free backcountry permit is required for overnight backcountry use.

Nearby Parks and Monuments

A red rock wonderland

Arches National Park

Large tan cliffs dotted with vegetation, blue sky with a moon above, and shadows in the foreground.

Utah's First National Park

Zion National Park

A broad view with multiple canyons and white clouds in the sky overhead

A lifetime of exploration awaits you

Canyonlands National Park

Three figures walk a thin rock outcropping surrounded by Lake Powell.

A Desert Paradox

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

A tall spire of red rock stands against a background of stone, snow, and overcast skies

A fairyland of color and stone

Bryce Canyon National Park

a broad stone bridge with blue sky and clouds overhead

Utah's first national monument

Natural Bridges National Monument

Public Lands within 5 hours drive of Capitol Reef:

Anasazi State Park Museum (~1 hour drive)
Arches National Park (~3 hour drive)
Bryce Canyon National Park (~3 hour drive)
Canyonlands National Park (~3 hour drive)
Dixie National Forest (~1 hour drive, or more, depending on destination)
Fishlake National Forest (~1 hour drive, or more, depending on destination)
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (~1 hour drive, or more, depending on destination)
Goblin Valley State Park (~1.5 hour drive)
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (~1 hour drive, or more, depending on destination)
Hovenweep National Monument (~3.5 hour drive)
Natural Bridges National Monument (~2.5 hour drive)
Zion National Park (~5 hour drive)
And many Utah State Parks

Check for alerts before you visit other Utah parks.

Last updated: February 13, 2024

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

HC 70, Box 15
Torrey, UT 84775

Phone:

435-425-3791
Recorded park information available 24 hours a day. Phones are answered when staff is available. If no one answers, please leave a message, your call will be returned. Questions may also be sent to care_information@nps.gov.

Things To Do