Earth Science Week 2017

Date: October 4, 2017
Contact: Visitor Center, 435-425-3791

October 8 through 14, 2017 is Earth Science Week with Fossil Day on October 11. Every day is a day to celebrate Earth science at Capitol Reef National Park. The park was established to preserve and protect the Waterpocket Fold, a unique geologic feature on Earth. 19 layers of rocks and many fossils can be seen in the park.

• Daily 30-minute geology programs are offered at 10:00 am at the Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center. Visitors can discover how Capitol Reef formed over nearly 280 million years.
• On Wednesday, October 11, 2017 join a ranger-led hike at 8:30 am for a 90-minute hike on the Fremont River trail to learn about the geologic story and the fossils that tell of ancient environments. Program meets at the Gifford House Museum and Store located 1 mile (1.6 km) south of the visitor center on Scenic Drive.
• On Thursday, October 12, 2017, join a ranger at the campground amphitheater for an evening program on the Fossils of Capitol Reef National Park. Program starts at 7:30 pm and lasts one hour. Dress warmly.

Visitors can learn more about geology and fossils from free brochures available online and at the visitor center. The Capitol Reef Natural History Association bookstore at the visitor center offers books and materials to further your knowledge of Earth science. Visitor center and bookstore hours are 8:00 am to 6:00 pm through October 22, 2017.

For more information about Capitol Reef National Park, visit  www.nps.gov/care, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CapitolReefNPS/ , Twitter www.twitter.com/CapitolReefNPS , and Instagram at  www.instagram.com/Capitolreefnps . For more information about Earth Science Week, visit www.earthsciweek.org. For more information about Fossil Day, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/index.htm.