Capitol Reef

Notes

• This is an OK park. You need 2 days to visit the main attractions in the park and a couple of attractions that are nearby.
• You should combine a visit to Capitol Reef NP with Arches NP and Canyonlands NP. For a 2-week itinerary driving through 7 National parks in Nevada, Arizona and Southeast Utah, see this page.
• Stay in Torrey, UT

Itinerary

Day 1

• Goblin Valley State Park (4/5, Good)
  • Brochure. This is not part of Capitol Reef NP, but a nearby State Park.
  • Go to Goblin Overlook. Park and wander around in the valley – there are no established trails, explore on your own.
  • Park at the Curtis Bench Trailhead and do the Curtis Bench Trail.
  • The Three Sisters: Park at (38.566857, -110.703942) (short walk, 30mins)
  • Not much shade here, visit early.
• Little Wild Horse Canyon (5/5, Good)
  • This is one of the better slot canyon hikes.
  • Park at (38.582806, -110.802942). Start hiking north until you get to the intersection. Bell Canyon is to the left and Little Wild Horse Canyon is to the right. Go right for the better views. Hike for 2 miles – that’s where the narrow slot canyon is. Turn around and head back to the parking lot. (3.6 mile, 250feet elevation). The first 1 mile is a featureless slog through gravel – don’t be discouraged and stay the course until you hike the slot canyons.
  • This is not part of Capitol Reef NP, but a nearby attraction. It is always cool inside the slot canyons – visit during the hot time of the day.
• Panorama + Goosenecks Overlook + Sunset Point (3/5, Meh)
  • After having been to the Needles Overlook in Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point Overlook and Overlooks in Grand Canyon – these overlooks in Capitol Reef NP are going to be a big disappointment.
• [Sleep in Torrey, Utah]

Day 2

• Hike Navajo Knobs Trail to Hickman Bridge Overlook (instead of hiking to the bottom of the bridge)
  • 1.6miles, 330feet elevation gain
• Fruita Petroglyphs (2/5, Meh)
• Visitor Center
• Hike Capitol Gorge trail (3/5, OK)
  • Go 1.5mile in, past the Pioneer Register to the Water Tanks, then hike back (3miles, 100feet, 2 hours)
• Hike Cassidy Arch (4/5, Good)
  • (3.1miles, 666feet elevation, 3hours)
  • Park at Cassidy Arch Trailhead (38.263715, -111.215856)
• Panorama Point
  • Goosenecks Overlook + Sunset Point
• See the Night Sky in Capitol Reef NP: Good spots to see: Panorama Point / Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center
• [Sleep in Torrey, Utah]