Capitol Reef National Park Best Hikes

Alas despite wishful thinking your average visitor to capitol reef is not likely to research dozens of hikes before arriving.

Capitol reef national park best hikes. 1 of 8 view caption. The canyon followed the meander bends of the powerful rivers that had carved the canyon and the left side of the gorge was in blessed shade while the right side was bathed in warm sunlight if you are heading to capitol reef national park this is one hiking trail that is well worth all your efforts to get out of your car and hike over. It is less busy than the rest of them and has more of an overall wow factor than the other parks in utah. Called wayne wonderland in the 1920s by local boosters ephraim p.

In the fruita area there are fifteen day hiking trails with trailheads located along utah highway 24 and the scenic drive. Other trails ascend the knobs and ridges to viewpoints above natural bridges and other scenic wonders read more. Capitol reef national park offers exceptional hiking trails through a wide variety of terrain. These trails offer the hiker a wide variety of options from easy strolls over level ground to strenuous hikes involving steep climbs over.

The strenuous golden throne trail offers views of impressive rock formations and capitol gorge. One of the best things to do in the park is to drive the capitol reef scenic drive. Slot canyons here rival the famous canyon hikes in zion national park only you ll see far fewer people here. To drive the scenic drive you will have to pay a 20 fee.

One of our favorite things to do here is to go out hiking. The hardest part of the trail is at the beginning but the kids shouldn t have any trouble after the first 1 4 mile. 7 best hikes in capitol reef national park. This paved road is 7 9 miles long one way and takes you past some of the most stunning scenery in the park.

Capitol reef scenic drive. Hickman capitol reef national park protects colorful. Capitol reef national park is located in south central utah. The trail gradually gains elevation to a loop at the top of the cliff that will get you to hickman natural bridge.

Family friendly trail and one of the best hikes in capitol reef national park. You will pay this at a self pay station just past the fruita. Jason bergreen tribune file photo a hiker winds down the frying pan trail toward cohab canyon in capitol reef. Outdoors here s our list of the park s seven best trails.

After you ve had a hike or two to start your day stop by fruita to roam the u pick orchards or grab a baked pie from the gifford homestead. Capitol reef national park has a natural sense of slowing down. Stopping to smell the flowers or in this case stopping to pick some fruit. Pectol and joseph s.

It is 100 miles 160 km long but fairly narrow. The park established in 1971 preserves 378 mi 979 km and is open all year although may through september are the most popular months.