Capitol Reef National Park is the least visited and most underrated of Utah’s “Mighty Five” National Parks. I honestly don’t understand why this park doesn’t get more love, because it is amazing!
Full of red cliffs, canyons, desert, and green trees along the Fremont River, hiking in Capitol Reef will have you feeling like you’re on another planet!
You’ll find Capitol Reef a lot less crowded than the rest of the Utah National Parks, which makes for a much better hiking experience. My husband and I were able to visit during the entire week of Memorial Day, so we thoroughly explored all that Capitol Reef has to offer.
We encountered others on the trails, but we didn’t have any issues finding parking spots at trail heads.
Here are the 5 best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park. All of these hikes are easy to moderate and can be done in a few hours or less.
I also wrote more in-depth posts on how to spend 1-4 days in Capitol Reef, how to get to Factory Butte and the Moonscape Overlook in Hankville, the best things to do in Capitol Reef, and the best week-long Southern Utah road trip itinerary, so check those out if you’re interested!
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 insane Utah 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, traveling during shoulder season will have lower mid day temperatures which make day hikes a lot more pleasant.
In Utah, most hikes don’t have treecover to shade the trails, so you get full sun exposure (another reason to avoid traveling in the summer).
What to Pack for a Hiking Trip to Capitol Reef National Park
America the Beautiful Pass: If you plan to visit 3 or more US National Parks that have entrance fees within one year, purchasing this pass will save you money. It’s $80 and gets you into over 2000 NPS-managed lands (including National Parks, Monuments, etc).
If Capitol Reef is the only National Park you’ll be visiting this year, the entrance fee is $20 for the scenic drive and is valid for 7 days (you will need to pay this to get to two of the five hikes on this list).
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. Most of the attractions in Capitol Reef National Park are located here- the Visitor’s Center, Fruita Historic District, and most of the trailheads.
Capitol Reef has a ton of back-country roads in Cathedral Valley and the Waterpocket Fold with some amazing hikes and views, but you will need a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle to access them.
All that to say, all of the hikes on this list are accessible with any vehicle and right off of the main roads through Capitol Reef.
Here is a zoomed-in map of the heart of Capitol Reef National Park. All of the hikes on this list are located right off Highway 24 or Scenic Drive road and called out here.
Related: 15 Best Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park
5 Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
We spent 5 full days in Capitol Reef National Park and have personally hiked all of these trails.
Capitol Reef National Park has some of the most unique hikes I’ve ever done, and some of my favorites as well. The landscape here is just so unique and you see something different every time you look!
All of the distances noted below are for the full round-trip hike.
1. Cassidy Arch Trail
Length: 3.1 miles
Elevation gain: 666 ft
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
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 highly considered.
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 hike to the Cassidy Arch.
Bring plenty of sunscreen and water for this hike. We did this one midday in late May and it was hot! I’d 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!
2. Hickman Bridge Trail
Length: 1.7 miles
Elevation gain: 416 ft
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1 hour
Trailhead location: Highway 24/Fruita
The Hickman Bridge trail is another classic Capitol Reef hike that you definitely need to add to your list.
You will see some awesome views of Fruita on your way up. I was mesmerized by the green trees contrasting with the red landscape. It didn’t seem like trees like that should be growing in the desert, but the Fremont River makes it possible.
You’ll hike to Hickman Bridge, another arch with a spectacular photo opportunity. This hike is short and sweet, so you can do it and still leave plenty of time for other activities.
3. Goosenecks/Sunset Point
Length: 1 mile
Elevation gain: 50 ft
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 30 – 45 minutes
Trailhead location: Highway 24
This hike is less of a “hike” and more of a scenic walk. It’s best to do this one in the late afternoon or at sunset, hence the name “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.
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. This overlook reminded me a bit of the Grand Canyon!
4. Rim Overlook Trail
Length: 4.3 miles
Elevation gain: 1066 ft
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours
Trailhead location: Highway 24/Fruita
The trailhead for the Rim Overlook Trail starts at the same place as the Hickman Bridge Trail.
You’ll continue a pretty steady incline up to the Rim Overlook where you’ll see jaw-dropping panoramic views over Fruita and all of Highway 24.
You can continue on this trail to the Navajo Knobs or turn around after the Rim Overlook.
The Navajo Knobs trail will give you the best views of the park hands-down, but it comes at the cost of a long and challenging hike (9.1 miles with 2139 feet of elevation gain round trip).
We turned around at the Rim Overlook, and it was definitely still worth it.
5. Capitol Gorge Trail
Length: 2 miles
Elevation gain: 80 ft
Type: Out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 hour
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 beginning of the hike from the early settlers of the area. 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!
Related: The Ultimate 1-4 Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary
Capitol Reef National Park Hiking FAQs
What is the longest trail in Capitol Reef National Park?
Upper Muley Twist Canyon Trail is the longest hike in Capitol Reef National Park at 10.3 miles with 1354 feet of elevation gain, but the Navajo Knobs Trail is a close second at 9.1 miles and 2139 feet of elevation gain.
The Upper Muley Twist Canyon is located deep within the Waterpocket Fold and you will need a high-clearance 4×4 to get to the trailhead. Navajo Knobs is just an extension of the Canyon Rim Trail, so it’s much easier to get to.
Where is the best place to hike in Capitol Reef National Park?
The best places to hike in Capitol Reef National Park are located right off of Highway 24 near Fruita and Scenic Drive Road. There are a lot of easily accessible trails here that will allow you to explore the unique landscape in Capitol Reef.
What is the easiest hike in Capitol Reef National Park?
The easiest hike in Capitol Reef National Park are the Goosenecks/Sunset Point trails. These are short, flat walks to overlooks that you can wear regular shoes to.
How much time do you need in Capitol Reef National Park?
Spending 2 full days in Capitol Reef National Park will allow you to see the highlights and do a few hikes. If you want to do more hiking and/or get off the beaten path more, I recommend 3-5 days.
You will need 3 days (maybe 2 days if you’re really ambitious) to do all of the hikes on this list. The Hickman Bridge and Rim Overlook trails start at the same location so it’s easy to combine those in one day.
I would do the Cassidy Arch trail on the second day, and then Capitol Gorge and Goosenecks/Sunset Point on the third day.
Which hike should I do if I only have one day in Capitol Reef National Park?
With just one day in Capitol Reef, I would recommend doing either the Cassidy Arch Trail or the Hickman Bridge Trail. Both trails have awesome views of a natural arch, but the Cassidy Arch Trail is longer and more difficult than the Hickman Bridge trail. However, the Cassidy Arch trail will give you the opportunity to stand on the arch (you can’t do this on the Hickman Bridge trail).
In the late afternoon/early evening, explore the Goosenecks and Sunset Point trails.
Are there bears in Capitol Reef National Park?
Yes, there are black bears in Capitol Reef, but encounters are very rare. Black bears aren’t aggressive, and they usually stick to the forested regions of the state.
We didn’t see any bears on our visit and did not carry bear spray.
Related: Utah Scenic Byway 12 Road Trip Itinerary | 1 Epic Week in Capitol Reef, Escalante, & Bryce Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park is such a seriously underrated place to do some unique, less crowded 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 5 best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park!
-Megan
More Information on Utah
- The Ultimate 1-4 Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary
- 15 Best Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park
- How to See Bryce Canyon in a Day
- Utah Scenic Byway 12 Road Trip Itinerary | 1 Epic Week in Capitol Reef, Escalante, & Bryce Canyon
- How to Get to Factory Butte & Moonscape Overlook in Hanksville, Utah
Pingback: The Ultimate 1-4 Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary - Engineer to Explore