One Day in Capitol Reef National Park: Capitol Reef Itinerary

When I was planning my Ultimate Utah road trip, I originally didn’t include Capitol Reef on my itinerary. Can you believe that? I had never heard about Capitol Reef until I took it upon myself to research the Mighty 5. And I’m so glad I did because Capitol Reef is INCREDIBLE. A lot of people just pass over this hidden gem nestled between Canyonlands and Bryce, but trust me, it is SO worth the stop. Even if you can only spend one day in Capitol Reef National Park, you won’t regret it.

My one day Capitol Reef itinerary will take you through all the highlights of this magnificent park. You’ll be so enchanted after just one day, you’ll wonder how anyone could ever skip this beautiful place!

The Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is beautiful year round, but you’ll experience the best weather in the spring and fall. You can also avoid the summer heat and the crowds, although Capitol Reef gets nowhere near as crowded as the other national parks like Bryce, Zion, or Arches. Summertime has it’s perks though, because you’ll get the most hours of daylight and can extend your one day in Capitol Reef much longer than during other times of the year.

The park isn’t crowded at all in the winter months, but temperatures get below freezing and snow is likely. Snow can lead to roads closing, so you might have to cross hiking off your to-do list if you plan to visit in the wintertime.

Capitol Reef National Park – Know Before You Go

• Capitol Reef is about 2.5 hours from Canyonlands – You can take the scenic route and stop by Goblin Valley on the way to see some cool rock formations.

• See Cathedral Valley – These rock formations are a little remote and take time to reach, but they are one of the best things to see in the park. Plus, no one really goes out here, so you’ll likely have them to yourself. It’s a win win.

• If you’re visiting in late summer, pick some fruit – All the fruit in the orchards is prime for picking in late summer, and this is a great activity to get a shaded break between hikes. Don’t forget to grab a slice of pie at the Gifford House – it’s the only place to get food inside the park.

• Bring lots of water – Many of the hikes in Capitol Reef don’t offer much shade, so take breaks and stay hydrated. That desert heat will creep up on you!

• The entrance fee to the park goes by the honor system, so don’t abuse it! – Unlike with other national parks, the road that runs through Capitol Reef is the main highway, so there isn’t a booth where you’re required to stop and pay. Hopefully you’ve already acquired an America the Beautiful Park Pass because it covers your entry fee anyways. But if don’t have this pass, please stop by the visitors center and pay so that you can help support preservation of this beautiful park.

One Day in Capitol Reef: Itinerary Overview

1. Sunrise hike at Cassidy Arch
2. Hike to the Hickman Bridge
3. Enjoy pies at the Gifford House
4. Drive the Scenic Highway 24
5. Enjoy the view at Sunset Point & Gooseneck Overlooks
6. Take in the sunset at the Temple of the Moon & Sun

How to get around Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef has it’s fair share of trails, but they aren’t an interconnected network like those in Bryce Canyon. Without a doubt the best way to get around is by car. If you’re road tripping through Utah’s national parks, hopefully you have a rental or a camper. Plan to drive to all the trails and viewpoints, and no matter what time of year you visit, your car will offer a nice break from the heat or shelter from the cold.

If you’re not a big fan of hiking, Capitol Reef might be the perfect national park for you because you can see SO MUCH right from your car. With a highway that runs through the center of the park and a stunning scenic drive, you can come home with tons of amazing pictures without ever stepping out of your car.

Of course, if you do want to go hiking, there are still lots of options from easy, one-mile hikes to half day treks. Capitol Reef has something for everyone.

One Day in Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is definitely the most underrated of Utah’s national parks, but if you’re reading this itinerary then hopefully you have the good sense to stop by and check it out for yourself.

Whether you’re waking up in Capitol Reef or you’re arriving early to secure your campsite, the best possible way to begin this one day in Capitol Reef itinerary is by waking up for the sunrise. As I mentioned earlier, crowds aren’t really an issue here, but an early start is always the best way to maximize your time in the park, especially if you only have one day in Capitol Reef. Sunrise is also a great time to explore in the summer because you can escape the desert heat that will be unavoidable by midday.

If you only have one day in Capitol Reef National Park, here are the best things to do with your time.

Sunrise Hike to Cassidy Arch

Arches National Park isn’t the only place with some amazing arches! Named after the famous Butch Cassidy, this beautiful hike is the best way to start your day.

To reach Cassidy Arch, drive south from the visitor center about 3.5 miles to Grand Wash Road. Turn left onto Grand Wash Road and drive to the trailhead at the end of the road. I recommend doing this hike early in the morning because summer temperatures can reach triple digits in the heat of the day. Make sure you bring lots of water!

The hike to Cassidy Arch is about 3.5 miles roundtrip. This hike isn’t too difficult, but there is some elevation gain right from the get-go. You’ll be huffing and puffing a little bit, but stick it out because the views are so worth it. You’ll feel like you’re at the top of Capitol Reef!

Grand Wash Trail

A less strenuous alternative to Cassidy Arch is the Grand Wash Trail. After parking your car at the end of the road, you can take a relaxed hike down at the bottom of the canyons instead of venturing up. I hiked this trail, and it was amazing just walking along the gravel looking up at the monstrous canyon walls. I’ve honestly never felt so small.

Hike the Hickman Bridge Trail

Believe it or not, the next stop on our Capitol Reef itinerary is….. another arch? Ok, well they’re calling it a bridge, but it’s basically another massive arch. Either way, it’s really cool.

This moderate hike is just under two miles. It’s a little strenuous, so it’ll take about an hour. Don’t worry though, if you’ve already tackled the hike to Delicate Arch, then this one will be a piece of cake! There is a decent amount of uphill action though, so make sure you’ve got good shoes, water, and sunscreen.

About two miles east of the Visitor Center, this trailhead will be marked with a sign. You can park in the parking lot located on Highway 24, no entrance fee required. Overall, this hike is moderate with a few steep spots, but it’s all worth it when you see that huge natural bridge. You can walk underneath all 130 feet of this bad boy before heading back down the trail.

Once you’re finished at Hickman Bridge, you’ll be more than ready for a little lunch. You can eat lunch at the park near the Visitor Center, whether you brought a box lunch from a restaurant, or picnic supplies from a grocery store in Torrey. Bring a little extra because you might be sharing the area with some curious deer.

Drive the Capitol Reef Scenic Highway 24

After lunch, it’s time to hit the open road he road that runs through Capitol Reef. Highway 24 is the main road that passes through the park. This road twists and turns along the Fremont River.

There is no fee to drive on Highway 24, so you can tour a large part of the park without paying the entrance fee. It’s a beautiful drive, with scenic pull-offs and parking lots with access to short hiking trails. The National Park Service has a full guide on all the best highway stops to help you maximize this 1.5-hour venture.

If you like Indian rock figures, known as petroglyphs, then you’ve come to the right place. You’ll have plenty of time during your one day in Capitol Reef to check out some rock art left by the prehistoric Fremont people who lived in this area from 700-1300 AD.

Drive into the park about 1.5 miles east of the Visitor Center and stop at the “Petroglyph Pullout” on Utah Hwy 24. It’s a small parking lot between the Hickman Bridge trailhead and Fruita. From there, it’s a very short walk to the viewpoint where you can see these figures carved onto the base of the Wingate Sandstone cliff.

I suggest using a zoom or telephoto lens if you want some close-up photographs. Another pathway leads east along the base of the cliff for about 500 feet, providing more images a little easier to see.

Remember: this ancient rock art is very fragile and is for viewing only.

• 

• 

Panorama Point is located just off Highway 24, and it’s a quick and easy way to get a spectacular view of Capitol Reef National Park.

There isn’t much service out here, so don’t forget to have a killer playlist downloaded before you head out!

• 

• 

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive

The scenic drive is a must on any Capitol Reef itinerary. It’s a 7.9 mile paved road (one way) that’ll take you past some of the most stunning scenery in the park.

Optional turnouts will take you beyond the pavement into Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge. These paths can be driven using ordinary passenger cars, weather permitting.

To see the Scenic Drive, you need to pay a $20 fee at a self-pay station just past the Fruita Campground. The pass is valid for 7 days. If you have your America the Beautiful Pass, then no need to worry about the fee.

Capitol Gorge Road and the Pioneer Register

The Scenic Drive ends at Capitol Gorge Road, a gravel road that goes 2.2 miles (one way) past enormous canyon walls and is one of the most incredible drives in the park.

Capitol Gorge Road ends at the trailhead for the Capitol Gorge Trail. This 2-mile trail (round-trip) is an easy hike through a narrow gorge. Carved onto the canyon walls is the Pioneer Register, the names of settlers and miners who traveled through this area in the late 1800s.

Take in the view at Sunset Point & Gooseneck Overlook

Sunset Point is, no surprise, a lovely spot to watch the sunset, but hold tight – I’ve got another sunset recommendation if you’re up for it. Sunset Point and Gooseneck Overlook are both great viewpoints to see the unique geology of the park and to see all of the layers in the rock.

After a long day in Capitol Reef, you’re probably pretty worn out by this point. Lucky for you, Gooseneck Overlook doesn’t require any additional hiking. You can enjoy the view right from the parking lot. This is where the Sulphur Creek carved out a canyon, and the curving path resembles a gooseneck.

Sunset Point is an easy .4 miles from Gooseneck Overlook. It’s like two for the price of one, and it’s the perfect way to end your one day in Capitol Reef National Park. They don’t call it sunset point for nothing!

Sunset at the Temple of the Sun & Moon

Ok ok, I know I said sunset point is the perfect place to end your day and watch the sunset, but I do have one more recommendation. Don’t get me wrong, if you only make it to sunset point you will be more than satisfied, but here’s another marvel if you’ve got some time to spare.

This stop is a little out of the way, but totally worth it. To save time, you could always camp here the night before you day in Capitol Reef and Cath the sunrise, or you can camp here at night so as not to miss the sunset. If you’re coming from Canyonlands and Arches National Park, it will be much easier to stay here on your way to Capitol Reef, but if you’re coming from Bryce or Zion, it makes more sense to stay here at the end of the day.

To reach the Temple of the Sun & Moon, turn right onto Highway 24 from the Visitor Center. Go straight towards Cainsville. Once in Cainsville, keep an eye out for County Road on the left. Then, ride this road for around 2.5 miles. Continue straight onto Cathedral Road (left at the fork). Continue down Cathedral road for around 13 miles, then you’ll be coming up on Temple of the Moon road. Trust me, you can’t miss these GINORMOUS rock formations towering over the desert.

Be aware that you will need a car with high clearance and 4×4 capabilities, so this journey isn’t for everyone.

What is your favorite, underrated National Park? Let me know in the comments!