Capitol Reef National Park
Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles. — nps.gov
Capitol Reef National Park at a glance
- State
- Utah
- Established
- December 18, 1971
- Size
- 241,905 acres
- 2025 visits
- 1,388,476
- Busiest-park rank
- #22 of 63
- Entrance
- $20 / vehicle
Best time to visit
When is Capitol Reef quiet?
Capitol Reef is busiest in May and quietest in January. For a quieter visit outside the dead of the off-season, November is the quietest shoulder-season month, going by National Park Service visitor counts for 2021–2025.
In 2025 the park logged 1,388,476 recreation visits, the #22 busiest of the 63 national parks. Quiet months can also mean closed roads or facilities, so check current conditions before you go.
Crowd calendar, all 63 parks →Is Capitol Reef open right now? →
Average visits by month
2021–2025 · NPS IRMAQuietest: JanuaryBusiest: May
Fees & passes
What it costs to visit Capitol Reef
From the NPS fees data, checked October 1, 2026. Fees on nps.gov
Visiting several parks this year? The pass calculator shows whether the America the Beautiful pass pays off.
Reservations · 2026
No park-wide reservation
The National Park Service lists no timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Capitol Reef National Park. Campgrounds, tours and backcountry permits may still need booking, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
Things to do
Things to do in Capitol Reef
- Visit the Petroglyph Panel5-30 Minutes · All year
From 600 to 1300 C.E., native people of the Fremont Culture made their home at Capitol Reef. Petroglyphs carved into the Wingate sandstone remind us of their time.
FeePets OK - Scenic Drive Tour90 Minutes · All year
Take Capitol Reef's Scenic Drive, and experience colorful cliffs and deep narrow canyons from the comfort of your vehicle.
FeePets OK - Driving the Burr Trail1-14 Days · All year
Drive the scenic Burr Trail from Glen Canyon's Bullfrog district, along the bottom of Capitol Reef, through Grand Staircase, to Boulder, UT. Distance: 67 miles (108 km) one-way Mix of paved and dirt roads, impassable…
FeePets OK - Bicycle TouringAll year
Bicycling touring in Capitol Reef offers opportunities to explore paved and unpaved roads throughout the park. Explore colorful canyons, beautiful vistas of red rock country, and the verdant Fruita Historic District by…
Fee - Hike a Strenuous TrailAll year
Hike a strenuous trail to view dramatic geologic formations and spectacular vistas.
Fee - Hike an Easy or Moderate TrailAll year
Hike an easy or moderate trail to see panoramic views or to experience a deep sandstone canyon.
Fee - Hike Cathedral ValleySpring, Summer, Fall
Explore Cathedral Valley by foot. These hikes are accessible only by rough unpaved roads. A high clearance vehicle is necessary and four-wheel drive is recommended at times.
Fee Get to know the South (Waterpocket) District on foot by hiking an easy trail or strenuous backcountry route. Many of these hikes are accessible only by unpaved roads.
Fee
Show all 11 things to doShow fewer
- PicnicAll yearFeePets OK
- StargazeAll yearFee
- Watch the SunsetAll yearFee
From the National Park Service (checked October 1, 2026). Each title opens its nps.gov page with current conditions.
By activity
- Arts and Crafts5
- Arts and Culture26
- Astronomy44
- Backcountry Camping51
- Backcountry Hiking43
- Biking44
- Birdwatching48
- Camping60
- Canyoneering5
- Car or Front Country Camping41
- Citizen Science17
- Climbing26
- Cultural Demonstrations12
- First Person Interpretation3
- Fishing41
- Food46
- Front-Country Hiking42
- Gift Shop and Souvenirs25
- Group Camping33
- Guided Tours54
- Hiking60
- Horse Camping (see also camping)14
- Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)21
- Horse Trekking32
- Horseback Riding25
- Living History8
- Museum Exhibits36
- Off-Trail Permitted Hiking13
- Picnicking34
- Road Biking25
- Rock Climbing15
- RV Camping28
- Self-Guided Tours - Auto19
- Self-Guided Tours - Walking22
- Stargazing39
- Volunteer Vacation10
- Wildlife Watching53
The number shows how many of the 63 national parks offer each activity.
Weather
Weather at Capitol Reef
Weather is posted daily; check at the park visitor center for weather updates. Do not enter into narrow canyons if there is a threat of rain or if rain has been falling in the area. Rain and snow may also make dirt roads impassable to vehicles.
From the National Park Service.
Getting there
Getting to Capitol Reef
From I-70: Take exit 149, then take UT-24 west toward Hanksville; continue for 43.8 miles (70.5 km). Turn right to continue on UT-24 west and continue for 37.3 miles (60 km). From I-15: take exit 188 then US-50 east toward Scipio. Left on UT-50; continuing 0.7 miles (1.1 km).
Turn right onto US-50 east; continue for 24.4 miles (39.3 km). Turn right onto UT-260 south and continue 4.2 miles (6.8 km), then right on UT-24 for 71.3 miles. UT-12: North on highway 12 to Torrey, UT. Right onto UT-24.
52 West Headquarters Drive, Torrey, UT, 84775 · Directions on nps.gov
Nearby
National parks near Capitol Reef
- Bryce Canyon National Park70 mi~2 h drive (est.)
- Canyonlands National Park74 mi~2 h drive (est.)
- Arches National Park95 mi~2 h drive (est.)
- Zion National Park119 mi~3 h drive (est.)
- Grand Canyon National Park165 mi~4 h drive (est.)
- Mesa Verde National Park168 mi~4 h drive (est.)
Straight-line distance between park centers; drive times are rough estimates.
Closest big cities: Salt Lake City (176 mi)
Road trip
Arches, Canyonlands & Capitol Reef
3 parks, about 111 miles between them (~3 h of driving, estimated).
Capitol Reef is the orange dot. Tap any park to tick it off your checklist.
Photos of Capitol Reef National Park
FAQ
Capitol Reef, quickly
- When is the best time to visit Capitol Reef National Park?
- If you want fewer people, go in November, the quietest shoulder-season month. May is the busiest month on average, and January the quietest, based on NPS recreation visits for 2021–2025. Check nps.gov for seasonal road and facility closures before you go.
- How much does it cost to visit Capitol Reef National Park?
- $20 / vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual pass covers entrance fees at every national park.
- Do you need a reservation for Capitol Reef National Park in 2026?
- The National Park Service lists no park-wide timed-entry or vehicle reservation for Capitol Reef National Park. Campgrounds, tours and some popular hikes may still need bookings, so check the park's plan-your-visit page.
- What are some things to do in Capitol Reef National Park?
- The National Park Service lists 11 things to do in Capitol Reef National Park, including Visit the Petroglyph Panel, Scenic Drive Tour, Driving the Burr Trail, Bicycle Touring, Hike a Strenuous Trail. Each has its own page on nps.gov with current conditions.
- When did Capitol Reef National Park become a national park?
- Capitol Reef National Park was established as a national park on December 18, 1971.
- What is the closest national park to Capitol Reef?
- Bryce Canyon National Park, about 70 miles away in a straight line (roughly 2 hours' drive, estimated).
Sources · 3
- 1.Capitol Reef National Park — official site · National Park Service
- 2.NPS Data API — /parks (all park units) · National Park Service (U.S. Department of the Interior)
- 3.Capitol Reef National Park — Visitor Use Statistics · National Park Service (IRMA)
About this page
Park facts, photos, fees and visitor counts come from the National Park Service (NPS Data API and Visitor Use Statistics), last checked October 1, 2026. Park'd is an independent app and is not affiliated with the National Park Service. For official, current information, visit nps.gov/care.
Park'd · free on iPhone & Android
Been to Capitol Reef? Log it.
Park'd keeps your national parks map, trips, photos and stats in one place on iPhone and Android. Check off Capitol Reef, add the trip, and see how many of the 63 you've got left.
