Photo: Nicolas Raymond from Bethesda, Maryland, USA, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Capitol Reef follows the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth where layers of red, white and gold rock were bent upward and then carved into domes, arches and narrow canyons. In the middle sits Fruita, an old pioneer town with orchards you can still pick from in season. It's quieter than Utah's other parks, and most of the best hikes start within a few miles of the visitor center. Spend two days: one for the arches and overlooks, one for the canyons off the Scenic Drive. Mornings are cool and the light on the cliffs is warm.
TRAILS
1 OF 7
Hickman Bridge
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
1.8 mi
Elevation gain
400 ft
Fruita · Hickman Bridge trailhead, Utah 24 — The park's most popular trail climbs above the Fremont River to a 133-foot natural bridge you can walk right under. Along the way you pass black volcanic boulders, an old granary and views of Capitol Dome. It's the best short hike in the park and a good warm-up for longer days. There's almost no shade, so go early in summer.
Photo: Aneta Kaluzna, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
2 OF 7
Cassidy Arch
Difficulty
Hard
Length
3.4 mi
Elevation gain
670 ft
Scenic Drive · Grand Wash trailhead — Named for the outlaw Butch Cassidy, who is said to have hidden out nearby, this arch is reached by switchbacks that climb steeply out of Grand Wash. The trail tops out on slickrock with the arch right beside you and the canyon far below. It's short but steep, with steady drop-offs near the top. Follow the cairns and stay back from the edges.
Photo: Kevin.Daniels, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
3 OF 7
Navajo Knobs
Difficulty
Strenuous
Length
9.4 mi
Elevation gain
1,600 ft
Fruita · Hickman Bridge trailhead, Utah 24 — The big day hike in Fruita. The route passes Hickman Bridge, climbs to Rim Overlook high above the orchards, then follows the rim to a pair of rock knobs with views across the whole Waterpocket Fold to the Henry Mountains. Rim Overlook alone is a fine turnaround at 4.6 miles round trip. Bring plenty of water; there is none on the trail.
Photo: NPS, public domain, Wikimedia Commons
4 OF 7
Capitol Gorge and the Tanks
Difficulty
Easy
Length
2 mi
Elevation gain
80 ft
Scenic Drive · Capitol Gorge trailhead — A flat walk down a deep, narrow canyon that was once the main wagon road through the area. You'll pass petroglyphs and the Pioneer Register, where travelers carved their names in the 1800s. A short, steeper spur climbs to the Tanks, natural potholes that hold water after rain. Great for families and hot afternoons, since the walls give some shade.
⚠︎ Reached by a dirt road at the end of the Scenic Drive. Stay out of the gorge if storms are nearby: flash floods.
Photo: Mobilus In Mobili, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
5 OF 7
Grand Wash
Difficulty
Easy
Length
4.4 mi
Elevation gain
200 ft
Scenic Drive · Grand Wash trailhead — A level canyon walk between sheer walls that squeeze into narrows just a few dozen feet wide. You can start from the Scenic Drive end or from Utah 24, and if you have two cars it works as a 2.2-mile one-way stroll. Pair it with Cassidy Arch, which branches off from the same trailhead. The sandy floor is easy going but warm by midday.
⚠︎ Flash flood risk. Check the forecast and skip it when storms are building.
Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
6 OF 7
Chimney Rock Loop
Difficulty
Hard
Length
3.6 mi loop
Elevation gain
590 ft
Utah 24 · Chimney Rock trailhead — A steep start up red, crumbly slopes leads to a ridge looking over Chimney Rock, a dark-capped tower of red stone. The loop then circles back through a quiet basin with wide views of the reef. It's one of the best hikes for the colorful lower layers of the fold. Most of the climbing comes in the first half mile, so pace yourself.
Photo: Esther Lee, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
7 OF 7
Cohab Canyon
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
3.4 mi
Elevation gain
440 ft
Fruita · Fruita Campground — Switchbacks climb from the campground into a hidden side canyon full of small arches and honeycomb rock. Short side trails lead to overlooks right above Fruita, with the orchards and the Fremont River laid out below. It's a great early-morning hike if you're camping. You can also come out at Utah 24 across from Hickman Bridge and walk back along the river.
Photo: Wing-Chi Poon, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Plan your Capitol Reef trip
The Nova Bound app builds the whole trip around these trails: where to stay, where to charge, and what to see each day. Coming soon to the App Store.
Distances are round trip unless noted, from NPS.gov and rounded. Trails, permits and road openings change; always check nps.gov before you go. Trail write-ups by Nova Bound.