Plan Your Visit:
Hiking, backpacking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and walking through the orchards are favorite activities at Capitol Reef National Park. Below are some suggested ways to spend your time. If you have:
An Hour or Two:
- Stop at the visitor center and watch the park movie.
- Pick some delicious fruit when in season.
Take a short hike, such as Hickman Bridge (caution: rockfall hazard).
- Tour the Scenic Drive (approximately 90 minutes round trip).
- Visit the petroglyph panel, historic schoolhouse, or the Historic Gifford Homestead to enjoy fresh baked pie when in season!
- Join a ranger-guided program.
One Day:
- Take a longer hike, such as Cohab Canyon.
- Join a ranger-guided walk, talk,
evening program or astronomy program.
- Borrow a Family Fun Pack and learn about the park through family-oriented games and activities.
- Become a Junior Ranger, booklets at the visitor center.
- Tour Cathedral Valley or the Waterpocket District. Check at the visitor center for current road conditions.
Several Days:
- Combine several day trip options.
- Hike the shorter trails and routes along the Waterpocket District or Cathedral Valley roads.
- Enjoy the stars in the park's pristine night sky.
- Backpack into remote areas of the park and experience solitude and quiet. Check for current weather, road, and trail condtions at the visitor center. A free backcountry permit is required for overnight
backcountry use.