Top 5 Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park

When we visited Utah a few years ago, we added Capitol Reef National Park to the itinerary simply because it was within driving distance of Arches National Park, our main stop. We hadn’t heard of anyone visiting the park and weren’t really sure what to expect. We ended up loving this park and it was one of our favorite days of the trip. There’s enough to do here you could spend multiple days exploring the whole park, or you can squeeze all the highlights in on just a day trip from Moab. Keep reading to find out our top 5 recommendations for Capitol Reef National Park!

Cassidy Arch

A moderate 3.4-mile round-trip hike. This was our favorite stop in Capitol Reef. Most of the elevation gain is at the beginning, but then you are rewarded with views of Cassidy Arch and an aerial view of the Grand Wash. You can even walk out onto Cassidy Arch! If that wasn’t enough for you, when you get back to the bottom, you can hike through the Grand Wash for as little or as long as you like. We’ve never hiked the Narrows in Zion, but this is supposed to be a similar experience just without the water.

Hickman Bridge

A 1.8-mile round-trip hike, still rated as moderate but definitely easier than the Cassidy Arch trail. You get to walk along the Fremont River briefly before hiking back to Hickman Bridge. This is a great place to have a picnic lunch as it’s generally less crowded than Cassidy Arch.

Explore Fruita

Located in the center of Capitol Reef, this is where you will find the visitor center as well as some original buildings including a one-room schoolhouse. Be sure to get some pie at the Gifford Homestead. Check the hours before you go as the Homestead closes its doors in the winter.

Check hours here: https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Scenic Byway

About 16 miles round-trip, this scenic drive takes you through Capitol Reef with beautiful views the entire way. You do have to pay a $20 fee to do this drive, paid at a self-pay station near the Fruita Campground.