Capitol Gorge & Pioneer Register
Capitol Gorge
The only wagon road across the folded ridges before 1962. Pioneers carved names and “water pocket” pits into the canyon walls starting in 1871.
Beyond the dirt road at the end of the Scenic Drive lies Capitol Gorge. It was the only route for Mormon pioneers crossing the Waterpocket Fold until Highway 24 opened in 1962. From the parking lot, a gentle walk of about 1.3 km brings you to petroglyphs and the Pioneer Register wall of signatures. A further climb of about 0.8 km reaches the water pocket at the top of the gorge, the natural water-holding basin that gave the fold its name. The round trip takes about 1.5–2 hours. The dirt road is passable by ordinary cars in dry weather, and it closes after rain or during flash flood warnings.
Opening hours
Open all day (subject to road conditions)
Nearby sights
- Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
- Behunin Cabin
- Grand Wash
- Cassidy Arch
- Rim Overlook & Navajo Knobs Trail
- Hickman Bridge
- Petroglyph Panel
- Cohab Canyon