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Capitol Reef
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. more...
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Geology
The Waterpocket Fold defines Capitol Reef National Park. A nearly 100-mile long warp in the Earth's crust, the Waterpocket Fold is a classic monocline: a regional fold with one very steep side in an area of otherwise nearly horizontal layers. A monocline is a "step-up" in the rock layers.
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Cultural History
The area of Capitol Reef has been a homeland to people for thousands of years. Archaic hunters and gatherers migrated through the canyons. Fremont Culture solidified around 500 CE, from food foraging groups, to farmers of corn, beans and squash. Petroglyphs etched in rock walls and painted pictographs remain as sacred remnants of the ancient Indians' saga. Explorers, Mormon pioneers and others arrived in the 1800s, settling in what is now the Fruita Rural Historic District. They planted and nurtured orchards of apples, pears, and peaches.
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Fruita
Settlement came late to south-central Utah; the Capitol Reef area wasn't charted by credible explorers until 1872. In the last half of that decade, Latter Day Saints (Mormon) settlers moved into the high plateau lands west of Capitol Reef and established communities based on short-season farming and grazing.
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Natural Resources
Life thrives in the desert! With only 7" of annual rain, it might be surprising to learn that Capitol Reef supports a wide range of habitat types with diverse plant and animal life. The Fremont River and other water sources sustain cottonwoods, willow and ash. Water attracts birds from migratory ducks to bluebirds and mammals from mule deer to marmots to mountain lions. Away from water, a harsher desert communities dominate with hardy lizards, snakes and desert tolerant plants.
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Follow Capitol Reef on Twitter!
For news, events, history, photos, and more about Capitol Reef National Park, follow us on !
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Write to
Capitol Reef National Park
HC 70 Box 15
Torrey, UT 84775
E-mail Us
Phone
Visitor Information
(435) 425-3791 ext. 4111
Fax
(435) 425-3026
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Climate
Summer temperatures often climb into the upper 90s °F, but nights cool down into the 50s °F and 60s °F. The thunderstorm season from July through September brings cloudbursts, flash floods and lightning. Spring and fall are milder with highs generally in the 50s °F and 60s °F. Daytime winter highs average less than 50 °F. Snowfall is usually light, especially at lower elevations. Humidity is low all year. Weather info can be viewed by clicking the more... button below.
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| |  | | Did You Know?
Capitol Reef National Park has the largest historic orchards in the National Park System, with approximately 2,600 fruit and nut trees. You can pick fruit in quantity in orchards that are officially open for public harvest for a modest charge.
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Last Updated: January 31, 2012 at 09:18 MST |
