Capitol Reef National Park

Top Experiences in Capitol Reef

14 Amazing Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park

Read

In this guide, learn about the best things to do in Capitol Reef National Park with tips on how to plan your time.

Scenic Drive on Highway 24. Highway 24 is the main road that runs through the park. It twists and turns along the Fremont River, past massive domes of Navajo Sandstone, through a valley of orchards and historical sites, and then through the orange and red rocks on the western side of the park. There is no fee to drive on Highway 24, so you can tour a small part of Capitol Reef National Park for free.

Panorama Point, Sunset Point and Goosenecks Overlook. These three viewpoints are located close together on Highway 24. Panorama Point and Sunset Point are great spots to look out across the rocky, rugged landscape, especially at sunset, when the setting sun casts the entire area in an orange glow.

See the Petroglyphs. You can see rock art figures (petroglyphs) created by ancient Native Americans on the drive along Highway 24. It’s a very short walk to a viewpoint where you can see these figures carved onto the rock wall.

Go Hiking. One of the best things to do in Capitol Reef National Park is to go hiking. In the center of the park, near Fruita, there are 15 day hikes you can do. There are also numerous other hikes in the more remote areas of the park, including Cathedral Valley and along Notom-Bullfrog Road. Later in this guide, we have a list of the top hikes in Capitol Reef.

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive. Driving Capitol Reef Scenic Drive is one of the best things to do in Capitol Reef. From this road, you get to travel through the heart of the park and see some of the most stunning scenery in the park, without stepping out of your car.

Explore Historic Fruita. In the late 1800’s, pioneers began settling in the area. The settlers planted orchards and grew sorghum for molasses and syrup. Now, most of the original buildings are gone, but you can still see the one-room schoolhouse, the Gifford House and barn, and the orchards, which are still maintained by the national park service.

Pie at the Gifford Homestead. The Gifford Homestead, one of the last remaining buildings in historic Fruita, sells handmade items made by local craftsmen, such as dolls, soap, quilts, jams and jellies, and books. But the big draw is the pie. Stop in for a slice of locally baked fruit pie and ice cream.

See the Pioneer Register. When Mormon settlers passed through this area in the late 18th century and early 19th century, they scrawled their names on the canyon walls. This collection of names is called the Pioneer Register. To get here, drive Capitol Gorge Road, a 2.3-mile gravel road that is another one of the park’s beautiful scenic drives.

Cathedral Valley. Cathedral Valley is the rugged, remote northern district of Capitol Reef National Park. Few people travel out this way, to see this valley and its sandstone monoliths, colorful Bentonite hills, and vast desert scenery. But that’s part of its appeal. If you like the idea of leaving the crowds behind and exploring the backcountry, the Cathedral Valley Loop is an awesome drive to put on your to-do list.

Loop the Fold. This is another incredibly scenic drive in Capitol Reef National Park. This remote drive loops around the waterpocket fold in the southern part of the park. Highlights include Burr Trail Road, slot canyons to hike, and Strike Valley Overlook.