13 Unmissable Things To Do In Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

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Located in South-Central Utah, is the encompassing and imposing Capitol Reef National Park, a long, otherworldly landscape that looks akin to something you’d see on Mars.

Also known as the Waterpocket Fold, this national park is famous for its golden sandstone canyons adorned with striking linear patterns, and craggy rock formations and natural rock pillars.

We spent three days exploring Capitol Reef National Park and we found it surprisingly action packed! It turns out, there is more things to do in Capitol Reef National Park than stare at rocks (although I could never get tired of staring at them!)

If you’re thinking of visiting Capitol Reef National Park and not sure what to do, in this guide we share our favorite sites in the park, including the best Capitol Reef hikes, top scenic drives, where to stay, how to get to the park, and much more.

What is so special about Capitol Reef National Park?

In native language, the area known as Capitol Reef means “the land of the sleeping rainbow.”

There is probably no more accurate poetic reference than this colorful playground protected for the benefit of all who wish to walk amongst its beauty.

The colors of the massive domes, towering cliffs, twisting canyons, arches and bridges change with the light, moving from deep reds to pastel pinks, sunburnt orange, soft yellows and whites.

Early explorers described it as an impassable reef of rock which gave (in part) to its current name: Capitol Reef National Park.

It is largely defined by the Waterpocket Fold, an enormous 100-mile-long wrinkle in the earth’s crust forming the backbone of the park.

This happened during a collision of two plates about 65 million years ago, resulting in the rock layers folded over the fault line instead of cracking.

Since then water has become the dominant erosive force shaping the beauty of the canyons, arches, cliffs, domes and bridges of Capitol Reef National Park Utah

Best Things To Do in Capitol Reef National Park

1. Cassidy Arch Hike

• Distance: 3.4 miles return
• Elevation Gain: 670 ft
• Difficulty: Strenuous

Named after the famous outlaw, Butch Cassidy, who is said to have hidden here, hiking to Cassidy Arch is one of the best Capitol Reef National Park…