Grasses are an important part of the Capitol Reef ecosystem. Learn more about them!
The common globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea) is found throughout Capitol Reef and usually blooms from April to October.
NPS/Deborah Clark
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. The varied topography, geology, elevations, and precipitation patterns along the Waterpocket Fold have resulted in a diversity of microhabitats and niches for plant species to inhabit. Nineteen geologic formations are exposed within the Waterpocket Fold, each with unique combinations of minerals, soil types, aspect and slope.
Elevations in the park range from less than 4,000 feet (1,219 m) in the South District near Hall's Creek to over 11,000 feet (3,353 m) in the North District near Thousand Lakes Mountain. This elevation gradient results in increasing annual precipitation from the south to the north end of the park. The combination of wide ranging elevations and precipitation, coupled with the diverse geology and topography, allows 85 vegetation associations to exist in the park. Over 840 plant species occur in the park, many of which have very restricted distributions, occuring on specific geologic formations, soils, slopes, or elevation or precipitation ranges. Capitol Reef National Park has more than 40 rare and endemic plant species, six of which are federally listed as threatened or endangered.
435-425-3791
Recorded park information available 24 hours a day. Phones are answered when staff is available. If no one answers, please leave a message, your call will be returned. Questions may also be sent to care_information@nps.gov.
