Just for Kids at Capitol Reef National Park!

Interview a ranger, see how geology rocks, or get your feet wet watching waterbugs! These adventures await you this summer at Capitol Reef National Park.

Our Junior Ranger program is open to children of all ages. Junior Rangers complete seven activities to receive a signed certificate and a plastic badge. The booklet for this self-guided program is available at the visitor center and nature center.

The ranger-led Junior Geologist program lasts 30 minutes and is offered on Tuesdays through Saturdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. Participants learn about the park’s rock layers. A signed certificate and an embroidered patch come with this free program. Sign up at the visitor center or the nature center.

Everyone gets into the act with a Family Fun Pack. This backpack, full of activities, games and materials, is loaned out at the visitor center or the Ripple Rock Nature Center. Play pioneer games, learn to read a contour map, identify night constellations, or improve your bird-watching skills. Take your pick of several activities and get the whole family involved!

Visit the Ripple Rock Nature Center, located on the Scenic Drive, just south of the visitor center. Kids can spin wool, pretend to milk a cow, make cornmeal on a prehistoric grinding stone, identify fossils or play with animal puppets. Special ranger-led programs will be advertised at the visitor center. The Nature Center is open Memorial Day through June 30 from 12 noon to 5 pm; and July 1 through Labor Day weekend from 10 am to 3 pm. Check at the visitor center for any closures.

Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy with a member of the National Park Service's Night Sky Team in the Picnic area at 5 pm from July 15 - August 15.  

Whether your family is in the park for an afternoon or a weekend, you can enjoy many exciting and engaging activities.