Utah National Parks

 

General Info & Web sites

Capitol Reef National Park is known for its Waterpocket Fold. The Fold is a 100-mile stretch of buckled earth characterized by red cliffs, unique spires, and large domes. Despite its unique beauty, Capitol Reef is the least visited of Utah's five national parks.

• U.S. National Park Service
• History and Culture
• Nature and Science
• Curriculum Resources For Teachers
• Utah History Encyclopedia

 

Maps

• NPS Printable Map
  Printable map of Capitol Reef.
• Google Map
  Browser based map of the park. Click and drag maps to view adjacent sections immediately. View satellite images of the park that you can zoom and pan.
  
• Capitol Reef National Park Map (pdf)
  Detailed map of the park.
  

 

Photos

• Utah Collections
  A collection of pictures, videos and documents related to the park.
• nps.gov
  US National Park Service photo gallery of Capitol Reef.

 

Sights to See

Average Temperatures
January	41°F	18°F
February	48°F	24°F
March	56°F	30°F
April	66°F	38°F
May	76°F	47°F
June	87°F	55°F
July	92°F	62°F
August	89°F	61°F
September	81°F	53°F
October	68°F	42°F
November	53°F	30°F
December	42°F	21°F

• The Behunin Cabin - On scenic Highway 24 on the south side of the road is the Behunin Cabin. In 1882 Elijah Cutler Behunin and his family built the cabin and stayed a brief time until the rising river washed out their crops.
• Capitol Dome - The white dome of Navajo sandstone resembles the U.S. Capitol building in Washington DC.
• Capitol Gorge - a narrow steep-walled canyon that extends for several miles southwards, and a pleasant foot trail runs along its base and passes some ancient Indian petroglyphs.
• Cathedral Valley - an area of monolithic formations of Entrada and Curtis sandstones, some of which are 500 feet high.
• Chimney Rock - an impressive pinnacle of Moenkopi Shale that rises from the desert.
• The Fruita Schoolhouse - a restored and refurbished historic structure located on Utah Highway 24, .8 miles east of the visitor center.
• The Golden Throne - a dome covered in a gold-colored Navajo Sandstone, which is particularly special because normally the sandstone is creamy white.
• The Goosenecks - the snakelike switchbacks of Sulphur Creek carved into the rock as the Waterpocket Fold slowly lifted
• Hickman Bridge - A large natural stone bridge that spans 133 feet and has an opening of 125 feet high. It takes a short hike to get to, with ancient "Rock Art" and ruins along the way.
• The Historic Gifford Homestead - 1 mile south on the Scenic Drive, is typical of rural Utah farm-houses of the early 1900s and is open during the summer season.
• Scenic Drive - a 20-mile round-trip drive that will take you past the Ripple Rock Nature Center and many of the park's features.
• Waterpocket Fold - the main feature of the park, is a 100-mile-long fold in the earth's surface.

 

Park Activities