Explore grand vistas, natural bridges, and narrow canyons in this remote Utah national park.
Located in the middle of Utah, Capitol Reef National Park is full of wonderful desert landscapes. There are mesas with grand views, narrow canyons to explore, and even history to be found here. I focused my visit on the Fruita era. Other areas of the park can be visited with high clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicles. I really enjoyed my time in this park and definitely going back someday.
Fruita was settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1870s. They created a small settlement, some of the remnants you can still see today.
The pioneers planted many orchards (which are still area) in this area. The Fremont River created a unique fertile valley perfect for growing fruit.
I made it there just in time to see some blooms on the trees.
The historic schoolhouse/church of Fruita. During the school week, children would have classes, on the weekends, dances and on Sunday, church.
A little down the road is a really detailed petroglyph panel made by the Fremont people (check out my last update about them.)
The Gifford House is now used to sell baked goods.
There is even a barn with horses. They didn’t pay any attention to me.
OK, now I will show you the pretty side of the park. I visited over part of two days. The first day, I hiked the Hickman Bridge Trail, which leads to a very big natural bridge.
The Hickman Bridge Trail heads up the hill, giving you a fantastic view of the Fremont River Canyon with all those lovely green trees at the bottom.
The Fremont River Canyon is full cliffs of red sandstone.
Really interesting landscapes along this trail.
There it is! Hickman Bridge. You can actually hike closer, but I was really tired.
I started early the next day at Goosenecks Point and Sunset Point Trail. I honestly didn’t notice the trail to Sunset Point, I kind of made my own. Great Views though.
I didn’t go to the very end of Goosenecks Point, but still a great view from here.
Following the mesa, apparently not on the trail like I thought I was on, was pretty cool.
The view from the end is fantastic. The rock on the left is blocking the sun so I could take this photo.
I continued on to the scenic drive. I was in the park pretty early, so I almost had it to myself.
The road heading back to Fruita.
The road ahead.
At the end of the scenic drive is the dirt road that goes through Capitol Gorge. Luckily the road was suitable for even small little sub-compact cars.
Such a pretty area.
At the end of the road is a trail leading further into the gorge as it narrows.
Called the Capitol Gorge Trail, it follows a natural wash. Beware of flash floods in this area for sure.
I love all the red/tan sandstone in this park.
The trail really narrows at this point. This area is called the Pioneer Register because the settlers and cattlemen carved their names everywhere along this rock face.
Many, many names carved here. This “graffiti” is old enough to be considered historic and is monitored to prevent further names from being added here. The Pioneer Register is a great piece of history, giving us the names of the early settlers that passed through this canyon.
This one was my favorite. Carving in cursive could not have been easy.
I went a bit farther down the trail. This little canyon is pretty cool.
My last hike here was on the way out of the park. The Grand Wash Trail is a 2-mile-long canyon trail, with very steep cliffs on both sides. Honestly, it was really neat.
It starts nice and open like this.
The canyon slowly becomes narrow and narrower.
Becoming even more narrow with steep sides.
Although it does open up at spots, letting vegetation grow.
I really liked this trail. You never knew what would be around the next corner.
Capitol Reef National Park may be in the middle of nowhere, but it is an excellent place to visit. The hiking trails can be found down in the canyons and on top of the mesas. There is plenty to hike for all difficulty levels. It was a fun place to be, just don’t go down in the canyons when it might rain..
Check out my next update where I visit Arches National Park!
