Capitol Reef National Park: High Desert Wilderness
Capitol Reef National Park
“A colorful high‑desert wilderness of cliffs, folds, orchards and ancient geology—an unspoiled corner of Utah’s alpine desert.”
Park Overview
Located in south‑central Utah, Capitol Reef National Park protects approximately 242,000 acres (≈ 377 sq miles) of landscape defined by the vast Waterpocket Fold—a nearly 100-mile-long monocline. The park features rugged sandstone domes, deep canyons, exposed geologic folds, and historic Mormon homesteads. Established as a national monument in 1937 and designated a national park in 1971, it remains a less-visited highlight of Utah’s “Mighty Five” parks.
Fast Facts
| Location | Wayne, Garfield, Emery & Sevier Counties, Utah |
| Established | Dec 18, 1971 (Nat’l Park); Monument in 1937 |
| Area | ~242,000 acres (≈ 377 sq mi) |
| Elevation Range | 3,880 ft to 8,960 ft |
| Highest Peak | Upper Deep Creek drainage, ~8,960 ft |
| Annual Visitors | ~1.2 million (2022), ~1.4M record in 2024 |
What to See & Do
- Scenic Drive & Fruita Historic District – A paved loop through orchards, petroglyph panels and the visitor center.
- Hickman Bridge & Cassidy Arch Trails – Natural arches with moderate hiking and iconic views.
- Cathedral Valley & Waterpocket Fold – Remote, backcountry views of monoliths such as Temple of the Moon and deep folds.
- Geology Walks – Trails near the visitor center explain the massive monocline and colorful sandstone layers.
- Fruit Orchards & Gifford Homestead – Pioneer-era orchards of apples, peaches and pears that visitors can still sample during warmer months.
Geology & Landscape
At the heart of Capitol Reef lies the Waterpocket Fold: a massive crustal wrinkle formed 50–70 million years ago and stretching nearly 100 miles. The park exposes nearly 270 million years of rock layers—from Navajo and Chinle formations to Moenkopi and Morrison units—with white sandstone domes resembling the U.S. Capitol—hence the park’s name.
Wildlife & Wilderness
Much of the park is designated wilderness, offering solitude across mesas, canyons, and cliffs. Wildlife includes mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, raptors, and rare cliff-dwelling plants. In 2024, the park experienced record visitation (≈1.4M), highlighting growing interest while infrastructure struggles to keep pace.
Human History & Culture
The region was inhabited by Fremont cultures (c. 700–1300 AD), followed by Mormon settlers in the 1800s who built orchards and a schoolhouse in Fruita. Tourism and CCC-built infrastructure in the 1930s helped shape the park’s public access. Capitol Reef’s formal transition to national park status in 1971 closed a century-long preservation journey.
Visit Tips & Planning
Capitol Reef is open year-round, with the visitor center operating daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A park entrance fee is required ($20 per vehicle, valid 7 days; America the Beautiful passes accepted). Spring and fall offer ideal hiking weather and fewer crowds. Summer thunderstorms may cause flash flooding in slot canyons—always plan ahead.