Capitol Reef
National Park

The Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth's crust known to geologists as a monocline, extends from nearby Thousand Lakes Mountain to the Colorado River (now Lake Powell). Capitol Reef National Park was established to protect this grand and colorful geologic feature, as well as the historical and cultural history that abounds in the area.

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ACREAGE:
Total: 241,671 Federal: 222,753.35 Nonfederal: 19,150.91

MAPS:
These maps are quite large. You may want to assess whether you wish to spend the time downloading these files.

Vicinity Map Park Brochure Map Trail Map

VISITATION:
Approximately 706,000, primarily between April and October. Visitation is the highest April through June, September and October; lowest in January.

ADDRESS:
Superintendent
Capitol Reef National Park
HC 70 Box 15
Torrey, Utah 84775

E-MAIL:
care_superintendent@nps.gov

TELEPHONE:
(435)425-3791

OPERATING HOURS AND SEASONS:
The park and campgrounds are open year round. The Visitor Center is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended hours during the summer season.

CLIMATE:
Hot summers, cold winters. Mild spring and fall.

DIRECTIONS:
The park is located in southcentral Utah. From Green River, Utah, take Hwy 24 west through Hanksville; from Richfield, take Hwy 24 east through the communities of Loa, Lyman, Bicknell and Torrey.

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: by personal vehicle or tour bus via Utah Hwy 24. Nearest commercial airports in Grand Junction, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah.

In Park: Personal vehicle, biking, hiking.

FEES:
The fee for entering the Scenic Drive is $4. There is no charge for the Scenic Drive for holders of Golden Eagle, Golden Age or Golden Access passes. Campsites in the 70 site Fruita Campground are $10 per night and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Group Campground, on a reservation basis, is $3 per person per night with a minimum charge of $50.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
There are no lodging facilities in the park. For more information, call the Wayne County Travel Council at 1-800-858-7951.

RECOMMENDED ACTVITIES/PARK USE:
The park is always open, but Visitor Center hours vary with the season. Activities include: Auto tours, interpretive exhibits and programs, picnicking, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking on established roads, and rock climbing.

RESERVATIONS / PERMITS:
We take reservations for our group campground ONLY. Backcountry hiking permits are required for overnight stays in areas outside park campgrounds. These can be obtained at the park visitor center.

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Drive the Scenic Drive along the western edge of the Waterpocket Fold.

Hike to Hickman Bridge.

See the Petroglyphs.

Walk through the Historic Orchards of Fruita and pick fruit.

Visit the HistoricGifford Farmhouse.

SPECIAL EVENTS / PROGRAMS:

Visitor Center Exhibits:
Located at Utah Hwy 24, the Visitor Center has many exhibits, a slide show, and book sales.

Trails, Roadways:
The park is a haven for backcountry hiking. Many trails are available for people of all abilities and time constraints. Capitol Reef also has a number of scenic roadways, many of them unpaved, that can be taken to all corners of the park. Please contact the Visitor Center to ask about specific trails and/or roads.

Programs, Activities:
Summer walks, talks, and evening campfire programs.

Kids, become a Junior Ranger or explore the park with a Family Fun Pack.

Lodging and Camping Facilities:
The Fruita Campground contains 70 sites; 7 sites are for tents only. The remaining sites can accommodate RVs, but there are no hook-ups. There are also two primitive campgrounds, each with pit toilets, fire grates, and picnic tables (no water).

Although there are no lodging facilities in the park, you can leave the Capitol Reef and National Park Service Homepage and go to either the Wayne County Travel Council's Capitol Reef Country or Utah Travel Council's Utah! homepage. Here you will find a great deal of information that will help with your trip planning. Everything from lodging, private campgrounds with RV hookups, restaurants, and tour outfitters, to local attractions and events can be found at these two sites.

Food and Supplies:
None inside the park. Convenience marts and grocery stores are located in Torrey, Bicknell, and Loa, west of the Visitor Center on Utah Hwy 24.

Harvest Homecoming:
Held on a Friday in mid to late September, Harvest Homecoming celebrates the pioneer legacy and fruit harvest of Capitol Reef. Watch as traditional craftspeople demonstrate skills ranging from soapmaking to tinsmithing. Learn about Native American culture or hear stories of the Mormon pioneer settlement. Re-enact a day in the life of a student at the Fruita schoolhouse. Come celebrate the crafts, skills and talents of turn of the century pioneers whose isolation required self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Contact the Visitor Center for the date and events schedule of Harvest Homecoming.

Visitor Safety:
Capitol Reef is subject to flash flooding from late June through early October. Flash floods can leave you stranded in a canyon or on a backcountry road. Please check with the park's automated phone system at 435-425-3791 for recorded messages on up-to-date weather and road conditions before you embark to the backcountry.

Capitol Reef National Park Homepage produced by care_administration@nps.gov .
Last Update: Tuesday, 23-Feb-99 16:56:59
http://www.nps.gov/care/