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How to Spend 24 Hours in Capitol Reef National Park
Only have one day to visit Capitol Reef National Park? No problem! You’d be surprised at how much you can see and do in just 24 hours, whether that be wandering through the charming Fruita District or off-roading the rugged Cathedral Valley. To make it easy on you, we’ve designed two itinerary options for the perfect day in Capitol Reef, so that you can maximize your 24 hours in this one-of-a-kind US National Park. These itineraries can also be combined to make a two-day itinerary to Capitol Reef!
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ℹ️ About Capitol Reef National Park
Tucked away in south-central Utah, Capitol Reef was established as a national park in 1971. This park covers 241,904 acres, centered around the magnificent Waterpocket Fold—a nearly 100-mile-long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust. It’s famous for its colorful canyons, ancient petroglyphs, and even NPS-maintained orchards where you can pick fresh fruit! With something for every explorer, and fewer crowds than its big-name neighbours, we loved our time in Capitol Reef National Park.
❌ Don’t Bust the Crust! When exploring national parks like Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands, stay on marked trails. These arid landscapes are home to Biological Soil Crust (Living Crust), a delicate ecosystem that takes decades to form and can be destroyed with just a single step off-trail.
🗓️ Option 1: The Fruita District
This first itinerary focuses on Capitol Reef’s more popular area, the Fruita District, pulling together a blend of iconic hikes, historic sites, and ranger talks. This itinerary is for you if you’re looking to explore the lush heart of Capitol Reef National Park.
☀️ Sun Safety Tips: Before setting out each day, pack plenty of water and snacks, wear sun protection, and take breaks in the shade—the sun here can be intense!
Watch the Sunrise at Hickman Bridge
Start your day off bright and early by hitting Capitol Reef’s most popular trail, the Hickman Bridge Trail. This 1-hour, moderate hike is incredibly popular, so the trailhead parking lot can fill up as early as 9:30 AM. We highly recommend setting out before sunrise to secure a spot easily and enjoy the trail to yourself.
The trail itself will take you along the scenic Fremont River before gently climbing towards Hickman Bridge. If you’re photography-inclined like us, we recommend getting sunrise photos from the shaded western side of Hickman Bridge so that the sun doesn’t blind you. And, as always, remember to follow Leave No Trace principles by staying on the trail and not leaving any markings.
Get Pie at the Gifford House
From the Hickman Bridge trailhead, head back towards the main Fruita area on the scenic drive. Nestled among the picturesque orchards, you’ll find Gifford House, a small bakery and gift shop serving up fresh pie, cinnamon rolls, and jams. Once you’ve secured your baked items, head over to the nearby picnic area to dig in while gazing at the scenic views.
⏰ Arrive by 8:45 AM! Aim to get in line 15 minutes before 9 AM, when they open, to avoid certain items selling out.
Explore the Fruita District
With your belly full of homemade pie, take some time to explore the rest of the charming Fruita Rural Historic District. This lush, green oasis in the desert was once a thriving settlement founded by Mormon pioneers in the 1880s. Industrious families used the Fremont River for irrigation, planting thousands of fruit trees and creating what was known as “the Eden of Wayne County.”
To this day, you can wander through their historic orchards and, depending on the season, pick your own fruit! Other things to do include visiting the one-room Fruita Schoolhouse, strolling by the Fremont River, and looking for the ancient Fremont Culture Petroglyphs etched into the cliff walls.
Take a Lunch Break
If you’re anything like us, you’ll be ready for a well-deserved lunch break by now. While there are no restaurants inside the park, there are plenty of scenic picnic areas perfect for enjoying a packed lunch. We recommend heading to the benches by the Fruita orchards, Panorama Point, or Goosenecks Overlook. Driving outside the park to find a meal can easily eat up an hour or more of your exploration time, so we recommend staying inside the park if you are just visiting for the day.
Pick a Hike, Any Hike!
Depending on your energy levels and the time of year, here are three different hikes you can do once you’ve recharged over your lunch break. All of them hover around 2 hours to complete, giving you enough time to make it back by the next activity at 3 PM.
- Chimney Rock Trail: The Chimney Rock Trail is a moderate, 2-hour loop trail that’s made it into the top 5 hikes in all of Capitol Reef. It’s recommended to take the first fork in the road left and hike it clockwise so that the wide-open vistas are in front of you, instead of behind you, the whole way.
- Cohab Canyon Trail: The Cohab Canyon Trail is another moderate-level hike that takes you through the unique, hidden Cohab Canyon, full of intriguing rock formations. This 2-hour trail was recommended to us and, although we didn’t get to it ourselves, it’s high on our list for next time!
- Grand Wash Trail: The Grand Wash Trail is an easy, 2-hour hike through a dramatic canyon. While not a true slot canyon, sections of the walls become incredibly constricted, making for an impressive sense of scale.
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Make the 3 PM Ranger’s Choice Talk
We highly recommend being back by 3 PM to catch one of the Ranger’s Choice Talks. This talk is held daily at the Fruita campground amphitheater, by Loop C, and usually lasts around 30 minutes. The one we went on focused on the park’s geology, outlining all the forces that had to come together to form the Waterpocket Fold!
🗓️ Check the Events Calendar: For more special events, check out Capitol Reef’s Online Calendar or inquire at the Visitor Center on the day of your visit.
Explore the Scenic Drive
For the rest of the afternoon, explore the 8-mile (12.9-km) Capitol Reef Scenic Drive. Stretching from the Visitor Center to the trailhead of Capitol Gorge, this route offers breathtaking views of the Waterpocket Fold from your car. The amount of time you spend on this drive depends on how many times you hop out, ranging anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. As we haven’t penciled in anything else until sunset, feel free to take your time exploring!
At the end, you have the option to hop out and hit the Capitol Gorge Trail, an easy 1-hour hike where you can see prehistoric petroglyphs and the Pioneer Register. We recommend you hit this trail to get out and stretch your legs before making the drive back.
Grab Dinner in Torrey
After your fun-filled day in Capitol Reef National Park, it’s time for dinner! Head into Torrey and eat at any of the amazing restaurants in the area. Here are a few we found that are top-rated on TripAdvisor and have vegetarian/vegan as well as meat options:
- The Rim Rock Restaurant is a rustic hotel restaurant open for dinner daily from 5 to 9 pm.
- Capitol Burger is a super popular burger food truck open for dinner from 5 to 8:30 pm.
- Hunt & Gather Restaurant is another sit-down dinner restaurant open from Wednesday to Saturday from 5 to 9 pm.
You’re also more than welcome to enjoy dinner in the park at any of the aforementioned picnic areas, back at your campground, or by your vehicle. This does make it a bit easier to make it back in time for the sunset.
Watch the Sunset
Unless you’re driving to another location at the end of the day, we encourage you to close your day out by watching the sunset in Capitol Reef! After dinner, you have the option to come back into the park to watch the sunset from a trail or from a scenic overlook, depending on your energy levels.
Option 1: Cassidy Arch Trail
If you have one more hike in you, we recommend the Cassidy Arch Trail 2 hours before sunset. The Cassidy Arch Trail is the second most popular trail in Capitol Reef, after the Hickman Bridge Trail, taking roughly 2 hours to complete. Although just an hour there and back, be prepared for a decent initial climb, which we affectionately called “Nature’s Stairmaster.” The route up can be challenging, but the views from the Cassidy Arch during sunset are spectacular!
Option 2: Gooseneck and Sunset Points
A hike-free sunset option is to head to Gooseneck Point and Sunset Point, two scenic overlooks that share the same parking lot. Check out the Gooseneck Trail first before heading to Sunset Point just before sunset. Both of these trails are just 15 minutes each, making them easy strolls more than actual hikes.
🗓️ Option 2: Cathedral Valley
If off-roading through otherworldly desert landscapes sounds more like your jam, here’s an alternative itinerary to the one above. This itinerary will have you exploring Cathedral Valley, a remote, rugged section of Capitol Reef National Park that receives far fewer crowds than the main section of the park. Although remote, you’ll be able to get up close and personal with incredible sights like the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Moon, and Glass Mountain, among others.
💡 High Ground Clearance Vehicles Only: To explore the rugged terrain of Cathedral Valley, a high ground clearance vehicle is required to navigate the uneven terrain and make certain crossings like the Fremont River Ford.
Check Conditions at the Visitor Center
Start your morning at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center (opening at 8 AM) in the main area of the park to ask about the latest conditions for Cathedral Valley before making the drive up. While you’re there, check out the center’s exhibits if you haven’t already!
The initial section of the Cathedral Valley Loop requires you to ford the Fremont River, so checking water levels at the Visitor Center beforehand is crucial. If the conditions are favorable, you’re all good to go! We decided to drive in and out from the opposite direction, which meant we skipped the river crossing but also didn’t complete the full loop.
Pick Up Pie at Gifford House
If you do head to the Visitor Center, head over to Gifford House in Fruita to get some of their homemade pie or cinnamon rolls for the drive up to Cathedral Valley. Their baked goods last on the counter for 3 days, so no worries about refrigeration. They open at 9 AM, but try to get in line by 8:45 AM to make sure nothing sells out!
Drive Up to Cathedral Valley
The drive up to Cathedral Valley takes around 90 minutes from the Visitor Center. These coordinates are where the Cathedral Valley Driving Loop starts; feel free to plug them into Google Maps to guide you.
Keep in mind that, once in Cathedral Valley, not all vehicles are fit for the roads of this rugged terrain. But, according to the NPS, even if your vehicle doesn’t have four-wheel drive, vehicles with high ground clearance can usually navigate the roads easily. You can always ask a ranger at the Visitor Center to give your vehicle the thumbs up if you have doubts.
Explore the Cathedral Valley Loop
Once you’ve reached Cathedral Valley, set off on the Cathedral Valley Driving Loop Tour. This driving tour takes anywhere from 6 to 8 hours to complete, which is plenty for a full day!
There are tons of side trips and hikes along the way, so don’t worry about only being in the car the entire time. Some to look out for include:
- Temple of the Sun and Moon
- Glass Mountain
- Gypsum Sinkhole
- Volcanic Dikes and Basalt Boulders
💡 More information about Cathedral Valley on NPS’ North Cathedral Valley District page.
Stargaze at Night
If you’re able to spend the night in Cathedral Valley or get there several hours before dawn, we highly recommend it! This area’s remote location and minimal light pollution create exceptionally dark skies, perfect for stargazing—Capitol Reef is a certified International Dark Sky Park after all!
🏕️ Hop down to our where to stay section for options on spending the night in Cathedral Valley.
☀️ When to Visit Capitol Reef National Park
Choosing when to visit Capitol Reef National Park comes down to your preference for heat, crowd levels, and special programming. Each season here offers a unique combination of these factors—here’s a breakdown:
- Summer: Summer brings the largest crowds and highest temperatures, especially in canyons, with potential for afternoon flash floods. Despite this, long daylight hours allow you to explore for longer, and you can experience special events like Stargazing Nights and the Fruit Harvest Festival.
- Spring & Fall: These shoulder seasons are ideal for comfortable hiking, offering milder temperatures and fewer crowds, and lots of fun programming. Highlights include the annual Wildflower Bloom in spring and the Apple Days Celebration and Night Sky Festival in the fall.
- Winter: Winter transforms Capitol Reef into a quiet, snowy wonderland, with opportunities for snowshoe tours and Holiday Light Displays. However, expect cold temperatures, icy trails, and potential facility/road closures. Probably not the best if you’re looking for a one-time visit, but worth the trip if you live nearby!
🏨 Where to Stay Near Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park offers a range of stays, whether you’re looking to stay within or outside of the park, or just looking for some nearby free BLM land to spend the night on. Here’s a breakdown of your options, starting with how to stay inside Capitol Reef National Park.
Where to Stay Inside Capitol Reef
- Fruita Campground: This 71-site campground costs $25/night and is the main campground in the park. Reservations can be made via recreation.gov up to 6 months in advance. There is a dump station and RV water tank refill available as well.
- Primitive Campgrounds: There are two free, first-come, first-serve primitive campgrounds in Capitol Reef National Park—Cathedral Valley and Cedar Mesa. For more information, click the link.
- Overnight Backpacking: Capitol Reef National Park also welcomes backpackers to camp overnight. Although free, you must obtain a backcountry permit from the Visitor Center before setting out on your backpacking trip.
Where to Stay Outside Capitol Reef
- The Rim Rock Inn is a rustic hotel just a 10-minute drive from the park with affordable rates and an on-site restaurant.
- Sleepy Hollow Campground is a cash-only campground for RVs and tent campers located just a 20-minute drive from the Capitol Reef Visitor Center. Prices hover around $35-40 a spot.
- Capitol Reef RV Park & Glamping is an RV Park and Glamping business just 20 minutes from the park as well. The RV sites cost $55-59 a night and are well spaced out, each fitted with a picnic table and a fire pit. They also have A-frames for rent, which hover around $130/night.
Free BLM Land
- Beas Lewis Flat Road is one of the spots we stayed at during our visit. There was plenty of room for all kinds of vehicles, and the sites were pretty private. At just 20 minutes from the park’s Visitor Center, it is super close!
- Cathedral Road BLM is where we stayed when exploring Cathedral Valley, right at the entrance to this northern section of the park. There are several other BLM spots in this area that you can find on iOverlander.com. We’re constantly using this site to find public land while living and travelling in our van.
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🚗 How to Get to Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is located in south-central Utah, so getting there usually requires a car. If you don’t have access to a car, van, or motorbike of your own, we highly recommend using a rental company. Here’s a breakdown of how to get to Capitol Reef National Park:
- Car — Capitol Reef Visitor Center is located just off Utah State Route 24 in Torrey, Utah. Travelling by car is the best route of transportation to this national park.
- Public Transport — Direct public transportation to Capitol Reef National Park is virtually non-existent.
- Plane — Fly into Salt Lake City (SLC) 3.5-4 hrs, Grand Junction (GJT) 3 hrs, or Las Vegas (LAS) 6 hrs, then rent a car to the park.
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💵 Budget for 1 Day in Capitol Reef National Park
A one-day trip to Capitol Reef National Park can be surprisingly affordable or a bit of a splurge, depending on your travel style. Here’s a breakdown of the prices you can expect for costs like the park entrance fee, one night at a campground vs one night at a hotel, average gas prices in Utah, and more.
🎫 If you plan on travelling to several national parks, consider investing in an America the Beautiful pass for $80.
| Fee Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Park Entrance | $20 per vehicle (valid for 7 days) |
| Cathedral Valley Entrance | Free |
| Fruita Campground | $25 per night |
| BLM Land / Primitive Campgrounds / Backcountry Camping | Free |
| Hotels/Glamping | $100–$150+ per night |
| Restaurant Meals | $15–$30 per person, per meal out |
| Gas | ~$3.50 per gallon (fill up early!) |
| Rental Car | $60–$100 per day (if needed) |
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🪧 Learn More: How to Help Capitol Reef
One of the best ways you can help Capitol Reef National Park is by following “Don’t Bust the Crust.” Always stay on marked trails to protect the fragile biological soil crust, a living ecosystem vital to the desert. In addition to that, always practice Leave No Trace principles—pack out everything you pack in, refrain from adding to any markings, respect wildlife, and leave what you find, among others. Read more about the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace here.
Beyond being a responsible visitor, you can go a step further by financially supporting the park’s conservation efforts, educational programs, and maintenance of the very trails you just enjoyed. If you feel inspired to give back, consider donating directly to the park, to a park partner like the Capitol Reef Natural History Association, or the overarching National Parks Conservation Association, ensuring these incredible landscapes thrive for years to come.
📰 Related Articles
- 11 Extraordinary Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
- The Best Spot to Watch the Sunset in Capitol Reef National Park
- More Coming Soon!
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