Overview
Amongst the phenomenal National Parks of southern Utah, sometimes Capitol Reef gets overlooked. Stretching along the geologic warp of Waterpocket Fold, Capitol Reef National Park is colorful in the extreme. Driving the miles of dirt roads that crisscross the park may be the best way to explore its hidden treasures and no visit should be completed without some back road driving, even if it is the easy drive down Caineville Wash Road to the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon.
Highlights
Fruita Historic District, Hickman Bridge, Grand Wash Trail, Strike Valley Overlook
Must-Do Activity
After exploring the Fruita Historic District and Grand Wash Trail, drive across Highway 24 to the petroglyphs and the trailhead for the steep one-mile hike to Hickman Bridge, a massive stone formation cut into a gorgeous canyon. Be aware, this is the busiest part of the park because it is one of the few places with paved roads.
Best Trail
Leaving from Strike Valley Overlook, the all-day trek through Upper Muley Twist Canyon offers many unnamed arches, slickrock slopes, narrow passages, sheer cliffs, and stunning views as it winds 10 rugged miles to form a lollipop loop.
Instagram-worthy Photo
Strike Valley Overlook offers an amazing perspective on Waterpocket Fold, but requires a high clearance vehicle to drive the last three miles after a long drive down Notom-Bullfrog Road or Burr Trail Road.
Peak Season
Spring and Fall
Hours
https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/hours.htm
Fees
The only fee is on the paved Scenic Drive south of the Fruita Historic District, but the NPS accepts the America the Beautiful pass for that.
Road Conditions
Most of the dirt roads (like Notom-Bullfrog and Caineville Wash) are passable to any vehicle, but high clearance is needed on the last bit to Strike Valley Overlook and to cross the Fremont River on the Cathedral Loop. However, there is not much infrastructure in this rugged and dry National Park, so you need to be well-prepared in case of emergency.
Camping
The Fruita Historic District offers camping along the Fremont River, close encounters with mule deer, and free apple picking in the fall. Dry sites are free at Cedar Mesa and Cathedral Valley Campgrounds.
WONDON WAS HERE …TWICE …THRICE
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Raven About The Parks | Raven About The Forests 
I was gratified to see Capital Reef NP included in your top 10. Yes, Upper Muley Twist canyon is a highlight, and Strike Valley Overlook at the right time (clearing storm) is incomparable. A photo I shot from the Burr Road Trail looking northeast toward the opening of Upper Muley Twist Canyon near sunset was used on millions of packages of Pepperidge Farm Cookies, during a promotion they ran about the National Parks.
After spending more than a day slowly driving the Cathedral loop and photographing enroute, I looked hard and long before fording the Fremont River in my little two wheel drive 1986 Nissan pickup, even waded in to find the deepest spot and contemplate my chances of crossing or being washed downstream. That little truck went about 100,000 miles in the years after successfully crossing the river!
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Thanks for leaving a comment! We like returning to Capitol Reef more than any other Utah National Park and we still have more to explore.
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