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The Best Spot to Watch the Sunset in Capitol Reef National Park
If you’re looking for where to watch the sunset in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, look no further than Sunset Point Overlook. As the name suggests, this overlook affords you incredible views of the surrounding red rock canyons, especially when the sun starts to go down. Below, we’ve outlined how to get to Sunset Point, suggested some other sunset spots if you’ve already been, and even thrown in a few sunrise-viewing areas to boot!
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🗺️ How to Get to Sunset Point
To get to Sunset Point, start at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center. From there, you’re going to head west on Highway 24 for 2.3 miles (3.7 km) until you see the sign to Goosenecks Point Road on the left. Turn left onto this dirt road and follow it to the very end, about 1 mile (1.6 km), where you’ll find the parking area.
Make sure you drive to the lot at the very end of the road. Some maps might show the trail starting lower down, but reaching the actual trailhead saves you a significant walk on the dirt road!
As this area serves as the trailhead for both Sunset Point and Goosenecks Overlook, its 15-car lot can fill up quickly, so plan to arrive at least an hour before sunset to increase your chances of securing a spot.
❌ 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.
🥾 Sunset Point Trail
From the parking lot, Sunset Point Trail is a short and easy 0.3-mile stroll to the overlook, making it perfect for families or a quick trip after a long day of hiking. You won’t need much gear for this brief walk, as the trail is not rough.
The well-defined path will bring you directly to the prominent big rock lookout that is Sunset Point. Once there, find a spot on a bench or the rocks to enjoy the view. This isn’t your typical sunset, as you actually have the sun setting behind you. But because of this, the sun gradually illuminates the geological wonder that is the Waterpocket Fold in front of you, creating vibrant reflections off the red rock.
Remember to stay on the marked path, as the area is elevated and protecting the biological crust is vital. This spot is also fantastic for astrophotography, especially during a new moon, so bring along your camera and tripod if you’re willing to stay a few hours after sunset!
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Length: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
Elevation Gain: 46 ft / 14 m
Difficulty: Easy
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👀 More Sunset Lookouts in Capitol Reef
Although we’d rank Sunset Point as the #1 place to watch the sunset in Capitol Reef, you have a few other options. These work as excellent sunset-watching spots, but are great lookouts to visit any time of day.
- Goosenecks Overlook: If you’re looking to actually see the sun dip below the horizon, head to the nearby Goosenecks Overlook, accessible from the same parking lot. Although you won’t be seeing the sun directly illuminate the red rock walls of the canyon, you’re able to see the sun head-on.
- Cassidy Arch: The Cassidy Arch Trail (a moderate 3.4-mile round-trip hike, 2-3 hours) can offer a stunning, less crowded sunset experience if you time it right. Just be sure to bring headlamps for the descent, as it gets dark quickly!
- Panorama Point: This hike-free viewpoint offers broad, sweeping vistas across the park, making it a great alternative for enjoying the sunset with views of the sun and the canyon walls at the same time.
☀️ Places to Watch the Sunrise in Capitol Reef
Okay, we’ve got the sunset covered, but what about sunrise? Capitol Reef isn’t exactly known for its sunrise views, as the canyon walls actually block the rising sun. Nevertheless, if you find yourself up early, here are our favorite spots in Capitol Reef to explore in the morning.
- Hickman Bridge Trail: Coming in as the most popular trail in all of Capitol Reef National Park, the Hickman Bridge Trail is a great 1-hour sunrise hike as it’s when it receives the fewest visitors. We arrived just before sunrise, easily got a parking spot, and were the second group on the trail! The sunrise photos we got from here were incredible!
- Fruita Area: We loved this area of the park for its peaceful atmosphere that reminded us of a slower way of life. Although you won’t see the sun rise (due to the canyon walls), there’s nothing like passing barns, orchards, and cool canyon walls in the quiet first hours of a new day. At 9 AM, stop by Gifford Homestead for a piece of homemade pie for breakfast.
- Any of the aforementioned sunset spots: Panorama Point, Goosenecks Overlook, Cassidy Arch, and even Sunset Point are all excellent places to view the sunrise from as well! You won’t get a direct view of the sun rising over the horizon, but you will get to witness the canyon come to life as the warm morning light floods the park.
✨ More Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park
If you’re visiting Capitol Reef National Park for the first time, there are tons of other things to do in addition to what we’ve mentioned above! Here are a few other ways you can explore this magnificent national park.
- Go Hiking: No matter your hiking level, there’s a trail in Capitol Reef for you. From easy, flat strolls to full-day treks, there’s a bit of everything in this park. Head over to our hiking in Capitol Reef article for more inspo.
- Go on a Scenic Drive: Explore Capitol Reef from the comfort of your car! This park contains a beautiful 8-mile (12.9-km) paved drive that winds through the heart of the Waterpocket Fold, with numerous viewpoints you can jump out at as well as short side excursions to stretch your legs for a bit—follow this route on AllTrails!
- Visit Fruita Orchards: Head over to the Fruita district to dive into the park’s pioneer heritage, picking fresh fruit in the NPS-run orchards or enjoying a delicious pie and cinnamon roll at the Gifford House!
- Join a Ranger Program: From geology talks to an ongoing Junior Ranger Program, Capitol Reef National Park is full of ranger-led events year-round. Check out their online calendar to check what’s going on in advance, or stop by the Visitor Center the day of your visit to ask.
📰 Related Articles
- 11 Extraordinary Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
- How to Spend 24 Hours in Capitol Reef National Park
- Temple of the Sun and Moon Guide: Cathedral Valley, Utah
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