Explore This Park

• Plan Your Visit
  • Basic Information

Basic Information

Physical Address

52 West Headquarters Drive
Torrey, UT 84775

Directions

From I-70: Take exit 149, then take UT-24 west toward Hanksville; continue for 43.8 miles (70.5 km). Turn right to continue on UT-24 west and continue for 37.3 miles (60 km). From I-15: take exit 188 then US-50 east toward Scipio. Left on UT-50; continuing 0.7 miles (1.1 km). Turn right onto US-50 east; continue for 24.4 miles (39.3 km). Turn right onto UT-260 south and continue 4.2 miles (6.8 km), then right on UT-24 for 71.3 miles. UT-12: North on highway 12 to Torrey, UT. Right onto UT-24.

Directions Details

Operating Hours & Seasons

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is a 24 hour park, open all day, every day. The visitor center is open daily (except for some major holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended hours spring through the fall. Current hours of operations and events can be found in news releases at https://www.nps.gov/care/learn/news/newsreleases.htm.

Standard Hours

• Sunday: Open 24 hours
• Monday: Open 24 hours
• Tuesday: Open 24 hours
• Wednesday: Open 24 hours
• Thursday: Open 24 hours
• Friday: Open 24 hours
• Saturday: Open 24 hours

Weather

Weather is posted daily; check at the park visitor center for weather updates. Do not enter into narrow canyons if there is a threat of rain or if rain has been falling in the area.

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

Capitol Reef Entrance fee - Private Vehicle, including motorcycle - $15.00

The entrance fee for Capitol Reef National Park is paid into a self-serve tube at the beginning of the Scenic Drive, just past the campground. The cost includes all in a private vehicle.

Capitol Reef Entrance Fee - Bicycle and Pedestrian - $7.00

The entrance fee for Capitol Reef National Park is paid into a self-serve tube at the beginning of the Scenic Drive, just past the campground. America the Beautiful Interagency passes cover this entrance fee.

Capitol Reef Entrance Fee - Commercial vehicles with a seating capacity of 26 seats or greater - $100.00

Buses and commercial vehicles are based on vehicle size/occupants, and is paid at the visitor center.

Capitol Reef Entrance Fee - Commercial vehicles with a seating capacity of 7-25 seats - $40.00

Buses and commercial vehicles are based on vehicle size/occupants, and is paid at the visitor center.

Capitol Reef Entrance Fee - Commercial vehicles with a seating capacity of 1-6 seats - $30.00

Buses and commercial vehicles are based on vehicle size/occupants, and is paid at the visitor center.

Entrance Passes:

Capitol Reef Annual Pass - $30.00

This pass covers the entrance fees to Capitol Reef National Park of the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle. It is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. For information about other passes available see https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/fees.htm.

Visitor Centers

Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center

Capitol Reef National Park visitor center sits at the intersection of UT-24 and the Scenic Drive.

 

Cottonwoods in fall color along Sulphur Creek

NPS

Below are some suggested ways to spend your time. If you have:

An Hour or Two:

• Stop at the visitor center and watch the park movie.
• Pick some delicious fruit when in season.
• Take a short hike, such as Hickman Bridge.
  
• Tour the Scenic Drive (approximately 90 minutes round trip).
• Visit the petroglyph panel, historic schoolhouse, or the Gifford House Store and Museum to enjoy fresh baked pie when in season!
• Join a ranger-guided program.

One Day:

• Take a longer hike, such as Cohab Canyon.
• Join a ranger-guided walk, talk, evening program or astronomy program.
• Borrow a Family Fun Pack and learn about the park through family-oriented games and activities.
• Become a Junior Ranger. Booklets are available at the visitor center.
• Tour Cathedral Valley or the Waterpocket District. Check at the visitor center for current road conditions or call 435-425-3791.

Several Days:

• Combine several day trip options.
• Hike the shorter trails and routes in the Waterpocket District or Cathedral Valley.
• Enjoy the park's pristine night sky with stargazing. Night sky charts are available at the visitor center.
• Backpack into remote areas of the park and experience solitude and quiet. Check for current weather, road, and trail conditions at the visitor center. A free backcountry permit is required for overnight backcountry use.