If you’re looking for the perfect 1-4 day Capitol Reef National Park itinerary, this post is for you!
Full of red cliffs, canyons, desert, and less crowds than the other Utah National Parks, Capitol Reef National Park is a great stop on a visit to Southern Utah.
Whether you’re traveling to Utah specifically to see Capitol Reef, or you’re just stopping by on a longer Utah road trip, this post has everything you need to know about how to spend 1, 2, 3, or 4 days in Capitol Reef National Park!
The Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef National Park
The best time to visit Capitol Reef National Park is in April, May, September, or October (shoulder season).
You’ll avoid the heat and summer crowds by traveling when school is in session, plus prices are a bit lower.
If you’re planning to do a lot of hiking (which I would highly recommend), traveling during shoulder season will have lower mid day temperatures which make day hikes a lot more pleasant. We went in late May and the weather was pleasant, but it did get hot in the middle of the day!
In Utah, most hikes don’t have treecover to shade the trails, so you get full sun exposure most of the time!
How to Get to Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is located in south central Utah. There are no major nearby airports, so your best option is flying into Las Vegas or Salt Lake City.
You will have to rent a car, as there isn’t any other way to get around in Utah.
Vegas is a 5 hour drive to Capitol Reef, but is more convenient to Zion National Park, if that is also on your list.
Salt Lake City is a 3.5 hour drive to Capitol Reef.
You really can’t go wrong with either airport, so choose the one that is cheapest and/or most convenient for you!
Where to Stay in Capitol Reef National Park
Torrey is really your only option for lodging near Capitol Reef National Park. It’s a cute town located just 8 miles from the entrance and has a general store with a restaurant, some gift shops, and a few other restaurants.
We stayed in an Airbnb in the neighboring town of Teasdale (there is literally nothing there, so we did all of our eating and shopping in Torrey).
Here are some good lodging options if you don’t want to go with an Airbnb or VRBO:
- Capitol Reef Resort: You can stay in a luxury room, a glamping teepee, or a wagon with an amazing view of the red rock cliffs. There is also a restaurant, pool, and hot tub.
- Chuck Wagon Lodge: This is a great budget option with a convenient location above the general store with a bakery and deli.
- Broken Spur Inn: Simple, affordable accommodations 5 minutes from the park. They also have wagons you can stay in.
Capitol Reef also has 3 campgrounds:
- Fruita: This is the only developed campground in the park. There is potable water and toilets, but no showers or electrical/water/sewage hookups for RVs.
- Cathedral Valley: This is a free, primitive campground with pit toilets, but no potable water. You will need a 4×4 vehicle to get here.
- Cedar Mesa: Another free, primitive campground with pit toilets, but no water. You don’t need 4×4 to get to this campground, but a high-clearance vehicle helps.
There are no lodges or restaurants inside Capitol Reef National Park.
What to Pack for a Trip to Capitol Reef National Park
America the Beautiful Pass: If you’re planning on visiting 3 or more NPS-maintained lands (including National Parks and Monuments), I highly recommend getting the America the Beautiful Pass for $80. If you’re planning on visiting all 5 of Utah’s National Parks on your road trip, the pass will save you money!
Athleta Elation Leggings: I love hiking in leggings. These leggings from Athleta don’t fall down and have just a little bit of compression to hold you in without being uncomfortable.
Biker Shorts: Perfect for those warmer day hikes, biker shorts keep my thighs from chafing while also keeping me cool.
Athleta Conscious Crop Tank Top: These are my favorite tops to work out in, hike in, and do pretty much everything in. Great coverage, easy to layer, and they’re the perfect length to wear with high-waisted leggings or bike shorts.
Dry-Fit Hiking Tops: I like to bring a few different short and long-sleeve dry-fit tops to layer for hikes. Your hike might start out chilly if you get an early start, and elevation changes can drastically change the ambient temperature. If you are also susceptible to sunburns, these tops can protect your arms and shoulders from the direct Utah sun (since shade is pretty non existent here!).
Nalgene 32-oz Water Bottles: Cheap, lightweight, easy to clean, and hold a ton of water. I seriously never leave my house without one!
You won’t find me carrying a heavy, overpriced, stainless steel cup or a fancy water bottle with a mouthpiece that’s impossible to clean.
Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoes: I have had these shoes for over 4 years and I love them! They have great traction and are comfortable for long hikes at an affordable price point. Good shoes make a huge difference when you’re hiking, especially on muddy or rocky trails.
I sized down half a size from my normal size in these and still have plenty of room for good hiking socks. You will need good shoes for the hikes listed in this itinerary!
Smartwool Hiking Socks: I know these are pricey, but they are key to avoiding blisters when hiking. Wool is naturally sweat and odor resistant so these socks will keep your feet dry and smelling good the whole hike!
Hiking Day Pack: I have had this North Face Jester Backpack literally since high school. I did upgrade to a larger one for college, but this one is the perfect size for carrying all your day hiking essentials and is the perfect “personal item” size when flying. There are tons of colors and patterns, plus they also have a men’s version!
Sunscreen: This doesn’t really need an explanation. Even if you hike in the winter, Utah is very sunny and there isn’t much shade!
Capitol Reef National Park Map
Capitol Reef is a very long and narrow National Park in southern Utah. It preserves the 100-mile long Waterpocket Fold, a north/south wrinkle in Earth’s crust that runs all the way to Lake Powell in Arizona.
Along the fold, erosion has exposed the layers of the Earth and rocks have been pushed upward, making for a very unique landscape.
Highway 24 is the main road that travels east/west through the park.
Capitol Reef National Park has 3 main districts: Cathedral Valley, Fruita, and the Waterpocket Fold. Cathedral Valley and the Waterpocket Fold areas are located north and south of Fruita, respectively, and will really allow you to get off the beaten path in southern Utah.
Fruita is in the heart of Capitol Reef and has the visitor’s center, the Gifford Homestead, fruit orchards, and a ton of amazing hikes. If you have less than two days in Capitol Reef, you’ll spend most of your time in this district.
Related: 15 Best Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park
How Many Days Do You Need in Capitol Reef National Park?
If you enjoy hiking, 2-3 days in Capitol Reef National Park is a must. You’ll be able to do the Scenic Drive, visit the Gifford homestead, and do a handful of the best hikes in the park with this amount of time.
If you’re not a big hiker, you really only need 1 day in Capitol Reef to do the Scenic Drive, Gifford Homestead, and visit some of the overlooks.
Helpful Tips for Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is the least visited of Utah’s Mighty 5, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get crowded during the day. I recommend starting your hikes early to ensure you get a parking space at the trailheads.
Be prepared to hike! Most of the best views and attractions are accessed from hiking trails. Most of the trails are easy to moderate so it is possible to do multiple hikes in one day.
This goes without saying, but bring lots of sunscreen. Utah is in the desert and doesn’t have a lot of treecover, so you will be out in the sun while hiking and exploring.
There are no restaurants inside the park except for the Gifford House, which only serves pie and ice cream. Plan to pack a lunch to bring into the park or eat in Torrey (there are some really good options here).
There are so many opportunities to get off the beaten path at Capitol Reef National Park, so a high-clearance 4×4 is highly recommended. It is a non-negotiable for the Cathedral Valley Loop (you have to cross the Fremont River) and highly recommended for looping the Fold.
If your rental car doesn’t have 4×4 (or you didn’t want to spend the extra money on a 4×4 SUV for your entire trip), Capitol Reef Jeep Rentals has Jeep Wranglers available for daily rentals. It’s a bit expensive, but probably less expensive than upgrading your rental car if you only need 4×4 for one scenic drive.
When we visited Capitol Reef, we rented a truck but didn’t have 4×4. We tried the Cathedral Valley Loop, but the Fremont River was still too high and we didn’t feel comfortable taking the 2WD rental truck through high waters!
If rain is in the forecast or it has rained recently, stay out of the canyons, gorges, and dirt roads as flash flooding can happen very quickly in these areas and it is very dangerous if you’re caught in a flood! Don’t even try Looping the Fold or driving the Cathedral Valley Loop under these conditions.
1-Day Capitol Reef Itinerary
With just one day in Capitol Reef National Park, you’ll be able to see the highlights and fit in a hike or two.
I know most people tend to visit this park on a road trip and don’t have a lot of time here, so here is how I would make the most of one day in Capitol Reef.
Morning: Hike the Cassidy Arch or Hickman Bridge Trail
Get an early start to the day and go hiking in the morning before the heat and the crowds show up! 2 of the best hikes in the park are the Cassidy Arch (3.1 miles, 666 feet of elevation gain) and the Hickman Bridge (1.7 miles, 416 feet of elevation gain) trails.
The Cassidy Arch Trail is definitely the more strenuous of the two, but you’ll have the opportunity to stand on the Cassidy Arch and see some amazing views of the Grand Wash.
You’ll also see an arch on the Hickman Bridge Trail, but you won’t be able to stand on it. You’ll see some spectacular views of Fruita on the way up!
Related: 5 Best Day Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
Midday: Gifford Homestead and Scenic Drives
After your hike, explore the Fruita district and Gifford Homestead. The Gifford House is one of the only buildings left from the Mormon settlers in the early 1900s. The house is now a museum and gift shop where you can buy handmade soaps, jams, and other crafts.
But the real reason you want to stop by here is for the homemade ice cream and fruit pies! The Fruita district is scattered with 19 orchards planted by the Mormon settlers, and the fruit from these trees are used to make the pies.
The Gifford House is open from 9 – 4:30, but they often sell out of the ice cream and pies before noon during peak season. I recommend grabbing your dessert here before getting lunch in Torrey.
After lunch, drive Highway 24 all the way through the park for some spectacular views. There is no fee to drive Highway 24, since it is the main east/west highway in the area.
You can also see the Native American petroglyphs right off the road (there are boardwalks that go to the petroglyphs).
DO NOT write on the walls- the NPS monitors this area and the fine is up to $20,000 if you are caught vandalizing.
After you’re finished driving Highway 24, head south on Scenic Drive Road, an 8-mile paved road suitable for any passenger car. Capitol Gorge and Grand Wash are 2 dirt roads that spur off the main road and lead to some great hikes.
The NPS also has an accompanying virtual tour so you can learn about the geology and different rock layers found in Capitol Reef National Park.
You will have to pay a $20 fee to do Scenic Drive Road (the pass is good for 7 days), unless you have the National Park Pass.
Afternoon: Hike the Capitol Gorge Trail
The Capitol Gorge Trail begins where Scenic Drive ends, so this is a good hike to do at the same time as Scenic Drive.
Capitol Gorge is a 2-mile, wide, flat trail through a deep canyon for a mile before a steep scramble up some rocks to the “tanks.” These “tanks” are hollowed out sandstone that are a result of millions of years of erosion from rain and snowmelt.
You can stop after 1.5 miles at the Pioneer Register (petroglyphs left by early settlers), or keep going up to the tanks.
Evening: Panorama/Goosenecks/Sunset Point Overlooks
End your day in Capitol Reef National Park watching the afternoon sun at Sunset Point.
Turn off of Highway 24 on the Panorama Point road. There is an awesome scenic overlook here on the way to the Goosenecks and Sunset Point trails.
Keep heading down this road and it will turn into Sunset Point Road. Take the right side for the Goosenecks Trail and the left side for the Sunset Point Trail (these are really just short walks, not hikes).
Sunset Point gives you one of the best areas in the park to watch the sunset and Goosenecks gives you an awesome overlook of where the Sulfur Creek carved out a canyon.
2-Day Capitol Reef Itinerary
With 2 days in Capitol Reef, you’ll be able to see the highlights, go on a couple of hikes, and Loop the Fold.
Day 1: The Highlights
This is the same itinerary as the 1-day Capitol Reef Itinerary above. I’ve briefly recapped it here for your convenience.
- Morning: Hike the Cassidy Arch or Hickman Bridge Trail
- Midday: Gifford Homestead and Scenic Drives
- Afternoon: Hike the Capitol Gorge Trail
- Evening: Panorama/Goosenecks/Sunset Point Overlooks
Day 2: Loop the Fold
“Looping the Fold” in Capitol Reef is a 124-mile driving tour of the Waterpocket Fold district.
A high-clearance 4×4 vehicle is recommended, but not necessary for this drive. The roads are unpaved, rough, and sandy, so be prepared!
This drive can take anywhere from 4 hours to all day depending on how often you stop for photos and hiking (there are some cool, short hikes along the way).
How to Loop the Fold in Capitol Reef National Park
Looping the fold starts and ends at the Capitol Reef Visitor’s Center. Head east on Highway 24 and turn right onto Notom-Bullfrog Road. You’ll be on this road for about 40 miles until you reach Burr Trail Road.
Don’t turn onto Burr Trail Road right away, and keep going for another 4 miles to Headquarters and Surprise Canyons. These are 2 short hikes into slot canyons.
Once you turn back onto Burr Trail Road, you will traverse the Burr Trail Switchbacks. The next right turn will lead you to the Upper Muley Twist Canyon Hike and the Strike Valley Overlook. THIS REQUIRES A 4×4.
If you don’t have a 4×4, keep driving straight on Burr Trail Road, or park at the junction and walk to the Strike Valley Overlook (this will be a 7 mile walk round trip, though).
In 35 miles, you’ll hit the Burr Trail Road and Utah Highway 12 junction in Boulder. This is where you’ll return to civilization and have options for gas and food.
I highly recommend having an early dinner at Hell’s Backbone Grill just south of Boulder. This is a world-famous, farm-to-table restaurant that features a regional cuisine. It is a bit pricey, but was definitely worth the splurge for us! The hours change every season, so make sure it’s open when you plan to go!
Try to time your trip so that you’re not driving back on Highway 12 in the dark, as it is quite twisty and there are large drop offs on both sides in some places.
Keep following Highway 12 until you get back to Highway 24 in Torrey, and turn right for the Visitor’s Center (or just head back to your accommodations for the night). Highway 12 is the “Utah Scenic Byway” and has some amazing views.
This scenic byway connects Capitol Reef (in Torrey) and Bryce Canyon National Park (in Panguitch).
If you’re planning a larger road trip, I highly recommend taking this route on your way to or from Bryce Canyon!
Related: The Most Epic 7 Day Utah Scenic Byway Road Trip Itinerary
Tips for Looping the Fold
Always check the weather conditions before venturing out in Capitol Reef National Park. Spring and summer rains can completely wash out the roads and cause flash flooding within the canyons.
If rain is in the forecast or it has rained recently, DO NOT DO THIS DRIVE. Check the weather and road conditions on the NPS website here.
If you don’t feel comfortable doing this drive in your “normal” rental car, Capitol Reef Jeep Rentals has Jeep Wranglers available for daily rentals.
ATVs are not allowed anywhere in Capitol Reef National Park, even if they’re street legal.
I’d recommend packing a lunch, some snacks, and plenty of water. You won’t have cell signal out here and there are very few people, so it’s important to be prepared in case you get stuck or stranded.
Download your maps ahead of time and start the day with a full tank of gas.
3-Day Capitol Reef Itinerary
With 3 days in Capitol Reef National Park, you’ll have time to thoroughly explore the Waterpocket Fold and Cathedral Valley areas, along with seeing the highlights.
Days 1 and 2 are the same as the 2-day itinerary above. On day 3, you can either drive the Cathedral Valley loop or do some more hikes (Capitol Reef is full of amazing hikes so you can’t’go wrong!).
Day 1: The Highlights
This is the same itinerary as the 1-day Capitol Reef Itinerary above. I’ve briefly recapped it here for your convenience.
- Morning: Hike the Cassidy Arch or Hickman Bridge Trail
- Midday: Gifford Homestead and Scenic Drives
- Afternoon: Hike the Capitol Gorge Trail
- Evening: Panorama/Goosenecks/Sunset Point Overlooks
Day 2: Loop the Fold
This itinerary is the same as the day 2, 2-day Capitol Reef itinerary above.
Day 3: Drive the Cathedral Valley Loop or Go Hiking
On day 3, I would recommend making a choice between driving the Cathedral Valley Loop or going hiking.
You WILL need a 4×4 for the Cathedral Valley Loop, so if you don’t have one and don’t want to pay for another daily Jeep rental, I would recommend hiking. Check out my hiking recommendations below (day 4 of the 4-day Capitol Reef itinerary).
If you do have a 4×4 and found Looping the Fold thrilling, driving the Cathedral Valley Loop might be for you!
How to Drive the Cathedral Valley Loop
All of the tips for Looping the Fold apply to driving in Cathedral Valley. This area is very remote with no cell signal, so it’s important to be prepared. You’ll explore Capitol Reef’s northern district full of sandstone monoliths and wide-open deserts.
Driving the 57-mile Cathedral Valley Loop will take you between 6 hours and one full day, depending on how often you stop for sightseeing and hiking.
Don’t forget to check out Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook while you’re exploring the Cathedral Valley. These scenic spots aren’t on the official Cathedral Valley Loop, but it’s a close detour that is definitely worth seeing. More info on how to get there from Capitol Reef can be found in this blog post.
You will have to cross the Fremont River, so you will need a high-clearance 4×4. The water level at this part of the river is usually less than a foot deep and the riverbed is rocky and hard-packed so you ~shouldn’t~ get stuck. You can download a zoomed-in map of the river ford area here.
Do this loop in the clockwise direction so you get the river crossing over with first. You DO NOT want to save this part for last, find out the water level is too high, and then have to turn around and redo the entire 6-hour loop to get back to civilization.
Start at the Visitor’s Center and take Highway 24 east. Take a left turn onto E 625 S, and then the second left to cross the river and enter Hartnet Cathedral Road. After 28 miles, you’ll make a right turn onto Cathedral Valley Road, which you’ll follow all the way back to Highway 24. Turn right, and you’ll be back at the Visitor’s Center.
There are a ton of awesome hikes and scenic spots in Cathedral Valley. Some of them are pointed out on the map below, but you can find more details on the NPS website here.
4-Day Capitol Reef Itinerary
With 4 full days, you will have plenty of time to thoroughly experience all 3 regions of the park and do most of the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park.
Capitol Reef is such a huge park that you can spend 4 full days without getting bored. Take advantage of all it has to offer by following the itinerary below!
Day 1: The Highlights
This is the same itinerary as the 1-day Capitol Reef Itinerary above. I’ve briefly recapped it here for your convenience.
- Morning: Hike the Cassidy Arch or Hickman Bridge Trail
- Midday: Gifford Homestead and Scenic Drives
- Afternoon: Hike the Capitol Gorge Trail
- Evening: Panorama/Goosenecks/Sunset Point Overlooks
Day 2: Loop the Fold
This itinerary is the same as the day 2 Capitol Reef itinerary above.
Day 3: Drive the Cathedral Valley Loop
This itinerary is the same as the day 3 Capitol Reef itinerary above.
Day 4: Go Hiking
Capitol Reef is full of amazing hikes, so spend another day hitting the trails!
I would start the day with either the Cassidy Arch or Hickman Bridge trail (do the one you didn’t do on day 1) and then pick another easy/moderate hike for after lunch. The Grand Wash, Rim Overlook, or Cohab Canyon trails are all good options.
Here is a list of some of the best hikes that are easily accessible in the Fruita/Scenic Drive area. For more detailed information about each one, check out this post about the 5 best day hikes in Capitol Reef National Park.
- Cassidy Arch Trail: 3.1 miles, 666 feet of elevation gain
- Hickman Bridge Trail: 1.7 miles, 416 feet of elevation gain
- Rim Overlook Trail: 4.3 miles, 1066 feet of elevation gain
- Cohab Canyon Trail: 3 miles, 793 feet of elevation gain
- Navajo Knobs Trail: 9.1 miles, 2139 feet of elevation gain
- Grand Wash Trail: 5 miles, 341 feet of elevation gain
If you want the ultimate day hiking experience, hike the Rim Overlook to Navajo Knobs trail. This trail is quite strenuous and will take you all day, but you’ll get the best panoramic view of Capitol Reef National Park.
If the Navajo Knobs Trail is too much, you can turn around at the Rim Overlook (these two trails are the same until you get to the Rim Overlook, but the Navajo Knobs Trail keeps going).
If You Have More Time
If 4 days in Capitol Reef still hasn’t satisfied your red desert landscape adventure itch, I highly recommend exploring parts of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument or making a day trip to Bryce Canyon National Park.
Grand Staircase Escalante is a severely underrated, remote, rugged, and thrilling area to visit. If you enjoyed Looping the Fold and/or driving the Cathedral Valley Loop, you’ll love exploring the slot canyons and unique landscapes in Grand Staircase Escalante. Some of the best parts are just an hour or two away from Torrey!
Bryce Canyon also makes for a great day trip from Torrey at just 2 hours away. You can also drive on the Utah 12 Scenic Byway and see some spectacular views along the way.
I hope this post helps you plan your own epic trip to Capitol Reef National Park! Let me know if you’ve done anything from this Capitol Reef itinerary on your visit in the comments below!
-Megan
More on Utah
- The 5 Best Day Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
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