🥾 Chimney Rock (3.3 miles, 793 feet elev. gain): This short hike on the outskirts of Capitol Reef offers a great sampling of the park’s landscapes. In addition to views of Chimney Rock, you can find vistas of the Waterpocket Fold and up-close views of the colorful canyons and rock walls that define the national park.
🥾 Cassidy Arch (3.1 miles, 685 feet elev. gain): Short but steep, this hike should not be missed. It starts with a rewarding climb up a cliffside to gain great views of multi-layered rock formations and ends at a viewpoint of the impressive Cassidy Arch.
🥾 Grand Wash (4.7 miles, 341 feet elev. gain): As the name implies, this hike navigates a large wash that meanders through towering canyon walls while cutting through the “reef” for which the park is named. Do not attempt this hike when thunderstorms are forecasted, as flash flooding is a risk on this hike. The hike through Grand Wash can easily be combined with Cassidy Arch (above), accessed by an alternate trailhead, or turned into a point-to-point hike by combining it with the Frying Pan Trail.
🥾 Hickman Bridge (1.7 miles, 416 feet elev. gain): Reaching Hickman Bridge requires a short hike that is every bit as rewarding as the photos suggest. This hike’s namesake arch is stunning and should not be skipped.
🥾 Rim Overlook (4.3 miles, 1,066 feet elev. gain): Those seeking an escape from the crowds on the park’s shorter trails may find solitude on the Rim Overlook trail. This out-and-back hike ends at an overlook hundreds of feet above Fruita. If you want even fewer people, continue on this trail to Navajo Knobs (9.1 miles, 2,139 feet elev. gain), which I’m told is a superb overlook to watch the sun set.

🚗 Capitol Reef Scenic Drive: This 8-mile-long drive leaves from the park’s visitor center and journeys south along the front of the Waterpocket Fold. The drive provides access to a number of scenic viewpoints and trailheads.
🥧 EAT A PIE: Yes, you read that correctly. The historic settlement at Capitol Reef’s center isn’t named “Fruita” for no reason. Fruita is home to extensive orchards of various fruits and nuts, so fresh pies are on the menu seasonally in Capitol Reef. Visit the Gifford House to pick out a pie and shop for other locally-sourced goods.
🚙 Explore Cathedral Valley: Grab your AWD vehicle and prepare for an adventure into the rugged, scenic, and untouched northern end of Capitol Reef. Though you could settle for simply driving to the Temple of the Sun and returning to Fruita, there is so much to see and do in this region of the park. Driving the entire loop through Cathedral Valley can take 6-8 hours, plus extra time if you stop to embark on any of the hikes along the road. Plan carefully and budget a full day to see Cathedral Valley.
📜 Learn Some History: From Native Americans to Mormons to the National Park Service, many groups of people have inhabited the Fruita district over the years. Explore orchards, see petroglyphs, and walk around historic buildings while you’re in Fruita.
🧗 Canyoneering: Those with the proper gear, experience, and know-how can explore Capitol Reef’s slot canyons up-close by canyoneering. If you want to embark on a canyoneering excursion, stop by the visitor’s center to pick up a permit and discuss route options with a ranger. There are a few guide services in the area that offer trips, too, including Capitol Reef Adventure Company and Get in the Wild.

🏙️ Torrey, UT: Sitting just west of Fruita, this small town hosts a variety of lodging, dining, and outdoor activities. It’s the “gateway town” to Capitol Reef.
🏞️ Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: This famous national monument sits just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. It features unique terrain, rock formations, and plenty of hikes to explore.
🏞️ Bryce Canyon National Park: Perhaps Utah’s most visually stunning national park, Bryce Canyon is a mere 2.5 hours from Capitol Reef. This is an excellent place to spend a day or two and to get some memorable hikes in.
🏞️ Zion National Park: Utah’s most grand, activity-filled, and memorable national park requires a 3-4 hour drive to the south to reach, but is worth the drive if you’ve never been. I strongly recommend 2-3 days in Zion to enjoy its most popular hikes and more overlooked activities.
🏞️ Canyonlands National Park: Moab – the gateway town to Arches & Canyonlands – is a 2.5-hour drive from Capitol Reef. Canyonlands often goes unnoticed compared to its more popular neighbor, Arches, but is absolutely worth spending at least a day in.
🏞️ Arches National Park: Known for its dense concentration of natural sandstone arches, this national park has become world famous. While worth the visit, be prepared for long lines and lots of tourists at Arches.

📅 When to Visit: Like Utah’s other national parks, late spring (March-May) and fall (October-November) tend to offer the best weather for outdoor activities. Not only are temperatures more pleasant during this time, but the chances of dangerous flash floods are much lower. I’d recommend visiting during the week if you choose to visit during peak season, to better your chance of smaller crowds.
⌚ How Long to Visit: 1 or 2 days is plenty of time to enjoy the Fruita district of Capitol Reef and check off the major hikes & activities there. If you want to explore Cathedral Valley to the north, budget at least 1 extra day.
🚗 How to Get There: Capitol Reef is easy to access by car, and the closest major airport is SLC (3.5 hours’ drive). If you’re renting a car, I’d suggest spending a little extra to secure a car with AWD, as this will open up more opportunities to see and do things outside the Fruita district.
🛏️ Where to Stay: Inside the park, Fruita Campground is the most accessible option for camping, and there is no lodging inside the park. Outside the park, the town of Torrey, UT has plenty of places to stay, including motels, hotels, private campgrounds, and RV parks. We stayed in a tiny home at Wonderland RV Park and loved it!
🧳 What to Bring: This depends wholly on what you are looking to do in Capitol Reef. At a minimum, bring hiking footwear, sun protection, water bottle(s), and a hiking pack to enjoy the Fruita district. If you want to explore the park’s more remote regions, come prepared with water storage, food, an AWD vehicle, spare tire(s), camping gear, and an emergency radio. Activities like canyoneering require specialty gear unless supplied by a guide service.

✅ DO remember to stop at the Gifford House for a pie and to peruse other locally-made goods. I had no idea this was something to do in Capitol Reef until a friend told me.
✅ DO check on weather conditions with a ranger before embarking on any hikes. If there are thunderstorms in the forecast, flash flooding could endanger you on hikes that navigate slot canyons.
✅ DO start your hikes early in the morning to beat congestion at the park’s small parking lots.
❌ DON’T plan on venturing into the park’s more remote districts without the proper preparedness, including an AWD vehicle.
❌ DON’T come to Capitol Reef without proper sun protection, as shade can be scarce in many parts of the park.