Trip Idea

Spend a Full Day at Capitol Reef

Multiple Parks

A barn in a grassy field surrounded by towering red cliffs.
Duration Full Day
Topic(s) Canyons and Canyonlands, Plateaus and Mesas, Geology, Rock Landscapes and Features, Scenic Views, Roads, Routes and Highways, Trails, Night Sky, Astronomy more »
Activities Biking, Front-Country Hiking, Picnicking, Scenic Driving, Stargazing
Type Kid Friendly, Active, Relaxed, Solitary/Remote, Educational, Outdoors, Road Trip, Group Friendly more »
Parks Capitol Reef National Park

Places to Visit

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    Things to Do
    • Capitol Reef National Park

      Scenic Drive Tour
      • Activity Fee: Yes
      • Reservations: No
      • Activity: Scenic Driving
      • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
      • Location: Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
      • Duration: 90 Minutes
      • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
      • Time of Day: Any Time
      Stormy skies with a small spot of a rainbow, red cliffs, and a blacktop road.

      Take Capitol Reef's Scenic Drive, and experience colorful cliffs and deep narrow canyons from the comfort of your vehicle.

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    • Capitol Reef National Park

      Hike an Easy or Moderate Trail
      • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
      • Reservations: No
      • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
      • Pets: No
      • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
      • Time of Day: Any Time
      A person stands in a sandy wash in a deep cream colored sandstone canyon.

      Hike an easy or moderate trail to see panoramic views or to experience a deep sandstone canyon.

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    • Capitol Reef National Park

      Hike a Strenuous Trail
      • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
      • Reservations: No
      • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
      • Pets: No
      • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
      • Time of Day: Any Time
      Two hikers stand at the edge of a cliff, looking at a panoramic view of colorful rock cliffs.

      Hike a strenuous trail to view dramatic geologic formations and spectacular vistas.

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    • Capitol Reef National Park

      Bicycle Touring
      • Activity Fee: Yes
      • Reservations: No
      • Activity: Biking
      • Pets: No
      • Location: Roads in Capitol Reef
      • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
      • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
      Person on bicycle on paved road with cars approaching and colorful cliffs above, and blue sky.

      Bicycling touring in Capitol Reef offers opportunities to explore paved and unpaved roads throughout the park. Explore colorful canyons, beautiful vistas of red rock country, and the verdant Fruita Historic District by bicycle.

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    • Capitol Reef National Park

      Stargaze
      • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
      • Reservations: No
      • Activity: Stargazing
      • Pets: No
      • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
      • Time of Day: Night, Dawn, Dusk
      White lines representing circular star trails in dark blue sky, above colorful red cliffs.

      Capitol Reef protects extremely dark night skies, and is a wonderful place to stargaze.

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    • Capitol Reef National Park

      Watch the Sunset
      • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
      • Reservations: No
      • Activity: Front-Country Hiking
      • Pets: No
      • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
      • Time of Day: Day, Dusk
      Colorful red rocks, striped cliffs, mountains in the distance, and a pale blue moving to purple sky.

      Watch the sunset from various scenic points in Capitol Reef. Take an easy stroll or a strenuous hike as the sun goes down. Don't forget to bring a headlamp.

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    • Capitol Reef National Park

      Picnic
      • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
      • Reservations: No
      • Activity: Picnicking
      • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
      • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
      • Time of Day: Day
      Lush, green grassy lawn with trees and red cliffs; covered picnic tables at the head of red canyon.

      Enjoy a picnic in Capitol Reef National Park! In the Fruita Historic District, look for the Doc Inglesby and Chesnut picnic areas, as well as tables and a water fountain near the Gifford House. At the end of Capitol Gorge Road, off the Scenic Drive, there are covered picnic tables as well as a pit toilet.

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    Last updated: January 9, 2021