Capitol Reef National Park is the least visited and most underrated of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks. Most people just breeze by here on their way to Bryce Canyon or Arches, which is such a shame because there is a lot to explore here!
Full of red cliffs, hidden canyons, colorful desert landscapes, and green trees along the Fremont River, you will feel like you’re on another planet when hiking in Capitol Reef National Park.
And since Capitol Reef often gets overshadowed by it’s more popular neighbors, you won’t have as hard of a time finding parking or be dealing with insanely crowded viewpoints.
My husband and I have made 2 trips to Capitol Reef National Park and we have spent a collective 5 days hiking here. Our first visit was at the end of May in 2021 and our second visit was in mid-October of 2024. Capitol Reef is one of my absolute favorite hiking destinations because there are lots of trails that are easy to moderate with really unique scenery that can be done in a few hours or less.
Here are the 10 best hikes 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 the spring or fall when temperatures are pleasant. It gets brutally hot in Utah during the summer, with highs over 100 degrees. Summer is also the busiest time to visit since kids are out of school and people are taking their summer vacations.
In Utah, most hikes don’t have treecover to shade the trails, so you get full sun exposure most of the time. If it were me, I’d avoid planning a hiking trip to Utah in the summer because the heat is just miserable.
October is another busy time to visit since you get all the fall breakers, but the weather is perfect. Capitol Reef doesn’t get as many visitors as its more popular neighbors, Arches and Bryce Canyon, but still expect some crowds midday here. If you really want to avoid the crowds, try visiting the last week of October or early November instead.
When we visited in May, it got hot during the middle of the day. In October, we had a day of 80 degree highs and then it snowed overnight! Visiting during shoulder season means that there is more variation in the weather, but it will generally be pleasant for hiking.
Related: The Ultimate 1-4 Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary
Fees & Passes Information
Admission to Capitol Reef National Park costs $20 per vehicle and is good for 7 days, unless you have the America the Beautiful National Park Pass.
Since Utah Highway 24 runs through the park and it is the only highway in the area, there aren’t entrance stations located at each end of the park like you’ll find at other parks. Capitol Reef uses the honor system, so please don’t abuse this policy! You can pay the entrance fee at the Visitor’s Center or purchase a pass online at the recreation.gov website here.
If you plan to visit 3 or more National Parks or Monuments on your trip to Utah (or within one year), getting the America the Beautiful National Park Pass will save you money vs. paying the separate fees at each park. It costs $80 and you must order ahead of time as they will ship you a physical pass.
Related: Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon Road Trip: Epic 9 Days on Utah Scenic Byway 12
How Many Days Do You Need in Capitol Reef National Park?
The time needed in Capitol Reef National Park depends on what you like to do.
If you enjoy hiking, you can easily spend 3-5 days here and not get bored. There are also two incredible off-road drives that will take almost a full day each to complete and tons of incredible moderate hiking trails to explore. The more nights you can fit in here on your Utah road trip, the better!
If hiking or off-road adventuring isn’t your thing, 1 day is all you need to visit the highlights and do the Scenic Drive.
We have spent a collective 5 days in Capitol Reef and we still haven’t gotten to everything on our list. I have a feeling we will continue to come back here for years and years!
Related: 15 Best Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park
10 Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park has some of the most unique hikes I’ve ever done, and some of my absolute favorites as well. The landscape here is just so unique and you see something different every time you look!
All of the hikes listed here are accessible in any vehicle. Most are located right off of Highway 24 that runs through the park, and a few are located off of the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive.
All of the distances and elevation gains noted below are for the full round-trip hike. I’ve listed the hikes in no particular order.
Note: The Scenic Drive is currently closed due to a large construction project and is expected to reopen in December of 2024. Most of the park remains open, but you will not be able to do the Scenic Drive or hike the trails that begin at the Capitol Gorge or Grand Wash trailheads. Check the NPS website here for the most up-to-date information before planning your trip.
1. Cassidy Arch Trail
Length: 3.1 miles
Elevation gain: 685 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: moderate
Time: 2.5-3 hours
Trailhead location: Scenic Drive Road
If you only have time to do one hike in Capitol Reef, the Cassidy Arch trail should be it.
The first part of this hike is pretty steep and strenuous, but it does get easier after that. You’ll see some great views of the Grand Wash and then hike to the Cassidy Arch.
The trail is well-marked up until you reach the top where you’ll then be hiking on slickrock. There are rock cairns to guide your way, so keep an eye out for them as you hike. You’ll be able to to see the Cassidy Arch from afar, but it will just look like an alcove until you get closer to it.
Bring plenty of sunscreen and water for this hike. We did this one midday in late May and it was hot! I recommend getting an early start, especially if you plan to visit in the summer.
Don’t miss the photo opportunity of getting to stand on the Cassidy Arch! Even if you have a fear of heights, you should still be okay standing on the arch as it’s very wide.
Fun fact: Cassidy Arch is named after bandit Butch Cassidy. He reportely had a hideout in the Grand Wash while on the run!
2. Hickman Bridge Trail
Length: 1.7 miles
Elevation gain: 416 feet
Type: loop
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Time: 1 hour
Trailhead location: Highway 24 near Fruita
The Hickman Bridge Trail is another classic Capitol Reef hike that you definitely need to add to your list. This short, easy trail is a great choice if you don’t have time for a longer hike.
You will see some awesome views of Fruita and the Fremont River at the beginning of the hike before reaching the Hickman Bridge. I loved seeing the green trees along the river contrast with the red landscape.
You’ll hike to Hickman Bridge, a natural bridge with a 133-foot span. This is a spectacular photo opportunity.
3. Goosenecks Overlook
Length: 0.6 miles
Elevation gain: negligible
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: easy
Time: 30 minutes
Trailhead location: Goosenecks Road off of Highway 24
The Goosenecks Overlook Trail is less of a “hike” and more of a scenic walk. It is a short trail to an overlook of 2 horsehoe bends that the Sulphur Creek carved out from the sandstone. They form a deep canyon and the view is incredible!
4. Sunset Point
Length: 0.8 miles
Elevation gain: negligible
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: easy
Time: 30 minutes
Trailhead location: Goosenecks Road off of Highway 24
The Sunset Point Trail is located just across the parking lot from the Goosenecks Overlook Trail. There is a short, 0.8-mile trail with views of the colorful, otherworldly scenery in Capitol Reef National Park. You can see the Henry Mountains off in the distance as well.
This is a great place to visit in the late afternoon or evening as the sun is setting. Since you’ll be looking east on this trail, the lighting is spectacular as the sun sets behind the scenery.
We visited here on an overcast day so we didn’t really get a full on sunset, but the views were still amazing!
5. Cohab Canyon Trail
Length: 3.3 miles
Elevation gain: 797 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: moderate
Time: 2.5-3 hours
Trailhead location: Highway 24 near Fruita
The Cohab Canyon Trail is a moderately strenuous hike up to and through an incredible hidden canyon. The first part of the hike is very steep up some switchbacks and the rest of the hike is relatively level after that. We were blown away by the scenery of the canyon once we reached the top of the switchbacks!
Cohab Canyon is one of the few trails in Capitol Reef that has some shade, which was a nice surprise on the warm October day we hiked this trail.
There is an optional hike up to 2 overlooks over Fruita as well. We thought the North Overlook was better than the South, but both were pretty incredible.
6. Rim Overlook Trail
Length: 4.3 miles
Elevation gain: 1066 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: moderate to strenuous
Time: 2.5-3 hours
Trailhead location: Highway 24 near Fruita
The trailhead for the Rim Overlook Trail starts at the same place as the Hickman Bridge Trail.
You’ll continue a pretty steady, slow incline up to the Rim Overlook where you’ll see jaw-dropping panoramic views over Fruita and all of Highway 24. There are incredible white sandstone formations and scenery from this trail.
It is easy to add this trail onto the Hickman Bridge Trail if you are looking for a longer day hike. Hike the Hickman Bridge Loop and then instead of returning to your car, continue onto the Rim Overlook Trail. We only hiked a portion of this trail after doing the Hickman Bridge loop and I thought the views were worth it.
The Rim Overlook Trail ends at the Rim Overlook and then turns into the Navajo Knobs Trail after that (more information on the Navajo Knobs Trail is below).
7. Capitol Gorge to Tanks Trail
Length: 2.2 miles
Elevation gain: 396 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Time: 1.5 hours
Trailhead location: Scenic Drive
The Capitol Gorge Trail begins where Scenic Drive ends. You’ll follow a dirt road down the gorge for about 2 miles before reaching the trailhead parking lot. This road is fine for regular cars if it’s dry outside (there will be a gate closing off the road if conditions are bad).
Capitol Gorge is a 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.
We actually thought the huge rocks off in the distance were the tanks at first, but then later realized our mistake. We had fun exploring the rocks and narrow canyons here before heading back down the gorge.
You’ll also see petroglyphs at the Pioneer Register at beginning of this trail. This should go without saying, but do not write on the walls here. The NPS monitors this area and there is a large fine for graffiti!
8. Chimney Rock Trail
Length: 3.3 miles
Elevation gain: 793 feet
Type: loop
Difficulty: moderate
Time: 2.5-3 hours
Trailhead location: Highway 24
Climb this steep trail through bright red standstone up to a mesa. You will get an up-close view of Chimney Rock, a large sandstone spire that sits 300 feet above the road. The steep hike rewards you with panoramic views over the Waterpocket Fold.
We planned to hike this trail on our October visit, but it was closed due to a construction project. Oh well, now we have another excuse to come back!
9. Grand Wash Trail
Length: 4.7 miles
Elevation gain: 341 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: easy
Time: 2-3 hours
Trailhead location: Highway 24 east of Fruita
The Grand Wash Trail is an easy, flat hike through a wide slot canyon. The distance listed here is for the entire trail, but you can hike as far as you’d like and turn around anytime.
This trail is also shaded if you hike in the morning, so it can be a refreshing break from the sun. Hike to The Narrows, where the wash turns into an exciting, narrow, slot canyon!
The beginning of this trail is shared with the Cassidy Arch Trail, so you will see signs for it here as well.
10. Navajo Knobs Trail
Length: 9.1 miles
Elevation gain: 2139 feet
Type: out-and-back
Difficulty: strenuous
Time: 6-8 hours
Trailhead location: Highway 24 near Fruita
The Navajo Knobs Trail is one of the longest and most challenging hikes in Capitol Reef National Park.
This trail shares the beginning of its trail with the Hickman Bridge and the Rim Overlook hikes. Once you make it to the Rim Overlook, continue hiking uphill on the Navajo Knobs Trail.
Your reward is the chance to stand on top of the Navajo Knobs for a 360-degree panoramic view over the area. Some say this is the best view in the entire park!
This hike is still on our list of hikes to complete in Capitol Reef. If you’re up for the challenge, it is an outstanding way to spend your time in Capitol Reef National Park.
Best Hikes in Capitol Reef With Limited Time
If you only have a day or two in Capitol Reef, I would prioritize hiking the Cassidy Arch and Hickman Bridge Trails. These are the two most popular trails in the park and they do not disappoint!
If you have more time, I would recommend the Cohab Canyon Trail. If you want something easier, go for Grand Wash or Capitol Gorge. If you want something more strenuous, hike the Rim Overlook Trail and continue to the Navajo Knobs if you want.
Where to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park
Torrey is the best place to stay near Capitol Reef National Park. It’s a cute town located just 8 miles west of the park with restaurants, hotels, gas stations, gift shops, and a general store.
On our first trip, we actually 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). The second time, we stayed in Torrey at the Red Sands Hotel and Spa.
Here are some good lodging options in Torrey:
- Red Sands Hotel and Spa: We stayed here for 2 nights on our second trip and would recommend it. There is a pool, spa, rock garden, and a restaurant on-site.
- 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.
As far a restaurants go, we really loved the bakery and deli in the Chuck Wagon General Store for breakfast and ate here almost every morning! Our other favorite restaurants neaby are Chak Balam for Mexican, Hunt and Gather for a slightly more upscale dining experience, and Slackers for burgers.
I also highly recommend making the trip to Hell’s Backbone Grill in Boulder for a special meal. Hell’s Backbone Grill 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. We ate here on both of our trips because the food is really that good. The hours change every season, so make sure it’s open when you plan to go.
Capitol Reef National Park is such a seriously underrated place to do some spectacular day hikes. The red canyons, gorges, arches, and green vegetation near the Fruita region make you feel like you’re on another planet!
Let me know in the comments below if you have any more questions about these 10 best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park!
-Megan
More Information on Utah
MORE ON CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK: Check out my 1-4 day Capitol Reef itinerary and the 15 Best Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park.
UTAH ROAD TRIP: Visit Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase Escalante, and some incredible Utah State Parks with this epic 9-day Utah Scenic Byway 12 road trip itinerary.
GRAND STAIRCASE ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT: Nestled on one of the most scenic highways in the US, Grand Staircase is a massive National Monument that is home to incredible waterfalls, slot canyons, and remote outdoor adventures. It typically gets overshadowed by the Mighty 5 National Parks, but it is just as impressive.
HANKSVILLE, UTAH: Hanksville is a tiny town between Capitol Reef and Moab that is near some otherworldly landscapes similar to the surface of the moon. Here’s how to visit Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook, hike to the Long Dong Silver Spire, or check out Goblin Valley State Park.
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK: Explore this incredible National Park while you’re in Moab, just 2 hours from Capitol Reef. Check out the best things to do in the Island in the Sky District, drive the Shafer Canyon-Potash Road loop, or get off the beaten path in the Needles District.
DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK: This state park provides an incredible panoramic vista over the Colorado River, and it’s on your way to Canyonlands Island in the Sky District.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK: Explore over 2000 sandstone arches in this incredible National Park that neighbors Canyonlands in Moab. Check out my guide to the best things to do in Arches National Park.
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK: Bryce is a compact park, so you can thoroughly explore the hoodoos in just one day. It’s 2.5 hours from Capitol Reef, so it is possible to visit on a day trip. This post shows you how.
ZION NATIONAL PARK: Visit Utah’s most popular National Park. Hike the famous Angel’s Landing, the Narrows, and do the scenic drive. Zion is still on my list of parks to visit, and is currently experiencing lots of overcrowding issues. I plan to visit during the off season when we get a chance!
Pingback: The Ultimate 1-4 Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary - Engineer to Explore