Capitol Reef National Park (Torrey)

A national park on the Waterpocket Fold, with the Mormon pioneer orchard town of Fruita, Hickman Bridge, Cathedral Valley and Goblin Valley, plus exceptionally dark night skies.

Capitol Reef National Park lies in Wayne County in south-central Utah. At its heart is the Waterpocket Fold, a wrinkle in the earth's crust about 160 km long; its white Navajo Sandstone domes resemble the dome of the U.S. Capitol, and "reef" refers to the cliffs that blocked pioneers' way. The gateway town of Torrey, about 15 km outside the park's west entrance, has motels, restaurants and gas stations.

The core area of Fruita stretches along Highway 24: Mormon pioneer orchards, fruit pies at the Gifford House, the old schoolhouse and Fremont petroglyphs, with Hickman Bridge and Cohab Canyon as popular short hikes. The Capitol Reef Scenic Drive runs south to Grand Wash, Cassidy Arch and Capitol Gorge, while Sunset Point and the Goosenecks Overlook are spots for sunsets and stargazing. Cathedral Valley and the Bentonite Hills in the north require a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. To the east, Factory Butte, Goblin Valley and Little Wild Horse Canyon make a day trip; to the south, the Burr Trail and the Boulder Mountain stretch of Highway 12, plus Fish Lake to the northwest, are great for driving loops.

The best seasons are April–May and September–October, and fruit picking runs from June to October; summers are hot, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms and flash floods. It's about a 3.5-hour drive from Salt Lake City and 5.5 hours from Las Vegas, and it's often combined with Arches and Bryce Canyon on a grand Utah loop. Plan on 2–3 days. Supplies in the park are limited, so fill up your tank and carry plenty of water.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries