National park · Utah

Capitol Reef National Park

The Waterpocket Fold — North America's largest exposed monocline, a 100-mile wrinkle in the Earth's crust — wrapped around the orchards of Fruita, the 19th-century Mormon settlement that gave the park its character.

Entrance
$20 private vehicle
Hours
Open 24 hours daily Capitol Reef National Park
Established
1971
Region
Utah's Mighty 5
Capitol Reef National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The Capitol Reef National Park patch

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History

Capitol Reef National Park preserves a unique desert landscape and geological features, including the largest exposed monocline in North America. It serves as a testament to the area's rich cultural history, from Native American settlements to Mormon pioneer communities.

Key events

  1. Capitol Reef was designated a national monument on August 2, 1937, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
  2. December 18, 1971Redesignated as Capitol Reef National Park by Congress.
  3. The first paved road through the area was constructed in 1962, improving access to the park.

Trails

  • Hickman Bridge Trail 1.8 mi · Moderate
  • Grand Wash Trail 4.4 mi · Easy
  • Capitol Gorge Trail 2 mi · Easy
  • Navajo Knobs Trail 9.4 mi · Hard
  • Chimney Rock Loop 3.6 mi · Moderate

Plan your visit

Hours · Capitol Reef National Park

Open 24 hours, every day

Capitol Reef is a 24 hour park, open all day, every day. The visitor center is open daily, except for some major holidays. Visitor center hours vary, call 435-425-3791 and follow the prompts for current visitor center information.

Entrance fees

  • Private Vehicle $20
  • Motorcycle $15
  • Per Person $10

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Spring. Wildflowers, comfortable temps, fruit tree blossoms in Fruita
  • Fall. Harvest season at Fruita orchards, cooler hiking, fewer crowds
  • Summer. All facilities open, cherry and peach picking, but hot
  • Winter. Solitude, snow-capped cliffs, uncrowded trails

Wildlife

Desert bighorn sheepMule deerMountain lionsCoyotesGolden eaglesRoadrunnersCollared lizardsRavens

Nearby patches

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