Hike a Strenuous Trail

View from the Chimney Rock Loop Trail.

NPS / Chris Roundtree

Strenuous Trails

Strenuous hiking trails have steep grades, uneven terrain, and long, steady climbs with elevation changes of over 500 feet (152 meters). All mileages are one way distances unless otherwise stated. 
 

• Cassidy Arch Trail is 1.7 miles (2.8 km) with an elevation change of 670 feet (204 m) leading to a natural arch and canyon views.
• Chimney Rock Trail is a loop of 3.6 miles total (5.9 km) with an elevation change of 590 feet (180 m) with panoramic views of the Waterpocket Fold and is good for sunset.
• Fremont River Gorge Trail is 2.3 miles (3.6 km) with an elevation change of 1,090 feet (332 m) across a mesa top before climbing to a high viewpoint on the rim of the gorge.
• Frying Pan Trail is 2.9 miles (4.6 km) with an elevation change of 810 feet (247 m), offering ridgetop panoramas and connecting the Cohab Canyon and Cassidy Arch trails.
• Golden Throne Trail is 2.0 miles (3.2 km) with an elevation change of 730 feet (223 m) with views of Capitol Gorge, the Henry Mountains, and the Golden Throne.
• Old Wagon Trail is a loop of 3.8 miles total (6.1 km) with an elevation change of 1,080 feet (338 m) through the pinyon-juniper forest with views of cliffs and the Henry Mountains.
• Rim Overlook Trail is 2.3 miles (3.6 km) with an elevation change of 1,110 feet (338 m) to a cliff top viewpoint of sweeping panoramas of Fruita and the Waterpocket Fold.
• Navajo Knobs Trail is 4.7 miles (7.6 km) with an elevation change of 1,620 feet (494 m); a continuation of the Rim Overlook Trail, the final viewpoint offers a 360-degree mountaintop panorama.

Details

Activity

Front-Country Hiking

Pets Allowed

No

Vist the Pets page for Capitol Reef National Park to learn more. 

Activity Fee

No

The only fee area in the park is along the Scenic Drive. 

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Any Time

Accessibility Information

Trail surfaces include slickrock, packed dirt, stone steps, and loose gravel. None of these trails are paved. Service animals are allowed.