2016 Summer Hours of Operation

Date: May 10, 2016
Contact: Cindy Micheli, 435-425-4111

"Summer is around the corner and we're excited to welcome visitors to the park and invite everyone to join our free ranger-guided programs," says Acting Chief of Interpretation Cindy Micheli. The Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center will be open 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily starting Sunday May 15, 2016. Visitors can expect to see more people in the park this Centennial summer, and parking areas may be full during peak hours.

Free ranger-guided programs will be offered beginning May 22 including a daily geology talk at 10:00 am and daily archeology programs at 3:00 pm. Nightly evening programs will be offered at the campground amphitheater typically 1 hour after sunset. Other programs include Talks, Walks, star programs and hikes. Ranger program schedules are posted at the visitor center, Gifford house, nature center, and Campground Hosts' sites with start times and locations. 

The Ripple Rock Nature Center, located .9 mile (1.4 km) south of the visitor center on Scenic Drive, will open for the season May 22 and be open daily 9:00 am to 5:00 pm through Labor Day weekend, with generous staffing support from Utah Valley University interns and Capitol Reef Natural History Association staff. Ranger programs will be presented throughout the day, and family-oriented books, activities, snacks and gifts will be available at the newly-opened nature center gift shop. 

The historic Gifford House, located 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the visitor center on Scenic Drive, will also extend hours from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm daily staring Sunday May 15, 2016. The Gifford House, operated by the Capitol Reef Natural History Association, has pioneer history information on display and sells fresh baked pies, breads and pastries. Learn about this non-profit park partner at www.capitolreefnha.org and enjoy a taste of Fruita's history! 

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 409 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.