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Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef

Moderate Utah

Scenic Drive Rehabilitation Project Complete

The project to rehabilitate the Scenic Drive and expand several parking lots has been completed and ...

Aug 25, 2025
A ribbon of black asphalt amid red hills and sandstone cliffs.

Overview

Capitol Reef National Park is located in Utah and welcomes millions of visitors each year.

Backcountry Camping

Sites available

FreeWalk-in only
Pendleton Barn in the Fruita Historic District

Fruita Campground

Sites available

RestroomsWater
$25 Reserve
A grassy area shaded by tall trees with covered areas for picnic tables.

Group Campsite

Sites available

RestroomsWater
$125 Reserve
a dirt road passes a metal picnic table under juniper trees

Primitive campsites at Cathedral Campground

Sites available

FreeWalk-in only
a tent is set up on a red dirt campsite with a fire pit and picnic table

Primitive campsites at Cedar Mesa Campground

Sites available

FreeWalk-in only
Person on bicycle on paved road with cars approaching and colorful cliffs above, and blue sky.
Biking

Bicycle Touring

Bicycling touring in Capitol Reef offers opportunities to explore paved and unpaved roads throughout...

Winter, Spring
Colorful red rocks, striped cliffs, mountains in the distance, and a pale blue moving to purple sky.
Front-Country Hiking

Watch the Sunset

Watch the sunset from various scenic points in Capitol Reef. Take an easy stroll or a strenuous hike...

Winter, Spring
Bighorn sheep shaped images pecked into a red sandstone cliff
Self-Guided Tours - Walking

Visit the Petroglyph Panel

From 600 to 1300 C.E., native people of the Fremont Culture made their home at Capitol Reef. Petrogl...

5-30 MinutesWinter, Spring
White lines representing circular star trails in dark blue sky, above colorful red cliffs.
Stargazing

Stargaze

Capitol Reef protects extremely dark night skies, and is a wonderful place to stargaze.

Winter, Spring
Stormy skies with a small spot of a rainbow, red cliffs, and a blacktop road.
Scenic Driving

Scenic Drive Tour

Take Capitol Reef's Scenic Drive, and experience colorful cliffs and deep narrow canyons from the co...

90 MinutesWinter, Spring
A hiker stands on top of rock cliff viewing vast valley below.
Backcountry Hiking

Hike in the South (Waterpocket) District

Get to know the South (Waterpocket) District on foot by hiking an easy trail or strenuous backcountr...

Winter, Spring
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Small stone cabin with dirt roof, one door, one window, below cliffs.

Behunin Cabin

Rural

Imagine homesteading this area with your family. Would more children make it easier? Elijah Cutler Behunin, his wife Tab...

Colorful gray and maroon, smooth rounded hills, with blue sky and a road.

Bentonite Hills

Geology

The Bentonite Hills are softly rounded, large hills of various shades of gray, red, maroon, brown, and green. High clear...

Large rounded white sandstone dome centered above a river, with green grass, red cliffs, & blue sky

Capitol Dome

Geologic feature

Capitol Dome is part of why Capitol Reef has its name. The rounded dome resembled various capitol buildings, including t...

Wide, winding river with boulders in it, little vegetation, and large sandstone domes in background

Capitol Reef East Entrance Wayside

Point of Interest
a road parallels sandstone cliffs

Capitol Reef National Park's Scenic Drive

Road

The nearly 8 mile winding Scenic Drive is a great way to see and experience Capitol Reef National Park.

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