Capitol Reef National Park, UT Travel Guide
Capitol Reef National Park, UT Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
Utah's Capitol Reef National Park is easy to underestimate on a map, but the Fruita corridor alone can fill a full day.
No advance tickets are needed anywhere in the park, and the $20 Scenic Drive fee is paid right at a self-pay station, no reservation required. Trailhead parking at spots like Grand Wash and Hickman Bridge is limited and fills up by mid-morning in peak season, so arrive early if you want an easy spot.
Bring water, sun protection, and a little cash for the Gifford Homestead's pies and the U-pick orchards, since not every stand takes cards.
Here's a pro tip: the entire Highway 24 corridor through Fruita, the Visitor Center, and the petroglyph panels is completely free. The only fee in the whole park is the $20 Scenic Drive fee beyond the Fruita Campground.
Top Things to Do
1. Fremont Petroglyph Panels—stand beside mysterious rock carvings created by the Fremont people between 300 and 1300 CE.
2. Behunin Cabin—see the tiny one-room cabin where a pioneer family of fifteen somehow survived, sending the older kids to sleep in a wagon box and a cave.
3. Grand Wash—walk an easy slot canyon with 800-foot walls, narrowing to just fifteen feet at its tightest point, once rumored to hide outlaws.
4. Hickman Bridge—hike to a natural sandstone arch spanning 133 feet, one of the park's most photographed formations.
5. Capitol Dome—see the white sandstone dome that reminded pioneers of the U.S. Capitol building and gave the park its name.
6. Gifford Homestead—stop for a slice of homemade fruit pie at the farmhouse where Calvin and Jorena Gifford raised eleven children.
7. Fruita Historic District—drive through a century-old Mormon settlement where the orchards still produce cherries, peaches, apples, and pears today.
8. Panorama Point, Goosenecks Overlook, and Sunset Point—take in colorful cliffs, winding canyons, and the dramatic Waterpocket Fold from three overlooks in one stop.
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
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✓ Complete travel guide
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✓ Printable map
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✓ One-day itinerary
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✓ Hidden gems
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✓ Travel tips
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✓ Offline access
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✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
Want these stories playing automatically as you drive?
Take our Capitol Reef's Sleeping Rainbow Driving Tour. It's a self-guided, GPS-triggered audio tour that starts at the Capitol Reef entrance sign on Highway 24, weaving pioneer history, ancient petroglyphs, and outlaw legends into one unforgettable drive through the Sleeping Rainbow.
Free Things to Do
1. Highway 24 corridor—free to drive through, with access to the Visitor Center, Fruita, and petroglyph panels.
2. Fremont Petroglyph Panels—free to view from the boardwalk right off Highway 24.
3. Fruita Historic District and orchards—free to walk through and see century-old trees, with a small fee only if you pick fruit.
4. Behunin Cabin—free to view from the roadside pullout.
5. Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center—free exhibits and trip planning information.
6. Twin Rocks Scenic View—free roadside overlook of two matching rock formations.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES
1. Scenic Drive—twenty dollars per vehicle for a 7-day pass, covering Grand Wash Road, Capitol Gorge Road, and Pleasant Creek Road.
2. U-Pick Orchards—a small per-pound fee from June through October to pick your own cherries, apples, peaches, and pears.
Food!
Wild Rabbit Cafe
A beloved breakfast spot in Torrey known for fresh, homemade dishes that feel far from a typical road-trip stop.
Capitol Burger
A local food truck favorite for creative, high-quality burgers just outside the park.
Broken Spur Inn and Steakhouse
A hilltop steakhouse in Torrey serving 21-day-aged steaks with red rock views, open for dinner.
Where to Stay
Budget
Days Inn by Wyndham Torrey Capitol Reef and Whispering Sands Motel both offer simple, convenient rooms close to the park entrance, generally $100 to $160 a night.
Moderate
Broken Spur Inn and Steakhouse and Red Sands Hotel and Spa combine comfortable rooms with red rock views and on-site dining, generally $160 to $240 a night.
Luxury
Capitol Reef Resort and Skyview Hotel offer standout design and unique stays, from glamping wagons and teepees to boutique rooms, generally $280 a night and up.
1 Day Itinerary
1-Day Itinerary
Morning: Start at the Capitol Reef entrance sign, stop at the Behunin Cabin, and hike Grand Wash.
Afternoon: Visit Hickman Bridge, the Fremont Petroglyph Panels, and the Fruita Historic District for pie at Gifford Homestead.
Evening: Drive the Scenic Drive to Panorama Point, Goosenecks Overlook, and Sunset Point for the best light on the Waterpocket Fold.
2-Day Itinerary
Day 2: Hike Cohab Canyon from the trailhead near Gifford Homestead, explore Capitol Gorge, or drive out to Cathedral Valley with a high-clearance vehicle.
Extra Time: Pick fruit at the U-pick orchards in season, browse the Fruita Schoolhouse, or stargaze under Capitol Reef's International Dark Sky designation.
FAQ's
1. How long does the Capitol Reef scenic drive take?
Driving straight through without stopping takes about an hour, but most visitors spend three to five hours exploring the overlooks, hikes, orchards, and Scenic Drive.
2. Is the Scenic Drive included in the self-guided tour?
Yes, the tour includes the park's Scenic Drive and its optional stops, though the $20 vehicle fee is separate and paid at the park.
3. Can I pick fruit at Capitol Reef?
Yes, during harvest season, typically June through October, visitors can pick fresh fruit from the historic orchards for a small per-pound fee.
4. Does the tour include hiking?
Several optional hikes are included, such as Hickman Bridge, Grand Wash, and the Fremont Petroglyph boardwalk.
5. Is Capitol Reef good for families?
Absolutely. Families especially enjoy the orchards, petroglyphs, the pie shop at Gifford Homestead, and several easy hikes.
6. Where does the self-guided driving tour begin?
It begins at the Capitol Reef National Park entrance sign on Highway 24.
7. Do I need a high-clearance vehicle for this tour?
No. The main Fruita corridor, Highway 24, and the Scenic Drive are all accessible by a standard passenger vehicle.
8. What is Capitol Reef best known for?
Capitol Reef is known for the Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100-mile geologic wrinkle, along with its pioneer orchards, ancient petroglyphs, and white sandstone domes that gave the park its name.
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