On our way back to Las Vegas from Moab we took the scenic route and made a small detour to see some of Capitol Reef National Park’s highlights. With only a limited amount of time, driving along the park’s scenic drive was the best option. On the way we also drove through the Fruita Historic District where we saw some historical buildings left behind by Mormon settlers and even some petroglyphs carved by the Fremont People.
Often overshadowed by Utah’s other four national parks, Capitol Reef is well worth the stop (to think we almost skipped it!). We’re so glad that we took the time to at least get an overview of this beautiful national park.
Unlike Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park where you walk on top of the mesas and look down into the canyons, in Capital Reef you look up from the base of the cliffs. The experience reminded us of Zion National Park. There are numerous hiking trails of various lengths classified into three levels of difficulties from easy to strenuous. Some are also nestled between two towering cliffs and prone to flash flooding. Check conditions at the visitor center before heading out.
Aside from a doing a very short trail to see some petroglyphs and stopping at scenic viewpoints, we didn’t have time to explore more of this beautiful national park before it was time to return to Las Vegas for our flight home.
Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
Capitol Reef’s paved 8-mile drive scenic drive is well worth the 2-hour roundtrip drive. Along the way you will see unique geological formations and spectacular vistas all around. There are also some unpaved roads that lead to trailheads. The winding unpaved Capitol Gorge Road gave us an appreciation of sheer size of the cliffs.
Fruita Historical District
To access the scenic drive, you must drive through the Fruita Historical District. Fruita is situated at the junction of the Fremont River and Sulphur Creek and was established in the 1800s by Mormon settlers. They built an irrigation system to water orchards and pastures to be able to enjoy a self-sufficient lifestyle. You can still see the orchards in the park, and you can even eat some fruit while in the orchard or buy some to go.
This is where you will find the visitor center and some historical buildings including the Gifford House, now a store and museum, and the Blacksmith Shop.
In the area, along UT-24, there is also the old schoolhouse and the small one-room Behunin Cabin where Elijah Cutler Behunin, an early settler, and his family of 15 lived!
Goosenecks Overlook
This overlook is another excellent place to stop and take in the picturesque sights of Capitol Reef National Park.
Good to know
It’s free to access the park but to drive along the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive there’s a $20 fee for private vehicles. Passes are valid for a week. But if you have the $80 annual national park pass, there’s no extra cost.
The park is open from 6 am to 10 pm with the Visitor Center open from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
Aside from campgrounds and primitive camp sites there isn’t any lodging within the national park.
For more specifics about the trails and the park facilities see: Capitol Reef National Park