Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Information Visitor Center Holiday Hours and Closures

The Capitol Reef visitor center will have shortened hours or be closed for the following holidays: November 25 closing at 1 pm. November 26, closed. December 24 and 25, closed. December 31 closing at 1 pm. January 1, closed.

Information Special Event: September 19 and 25, 2027 Scenic Drive temporary closure

Reef Ride Bike Days: For this special event the Scenic Drive will be open to bicycles and pedestrians only for part of the day on Saturday, September 18 and Saturday, September 25, 2027. The road will be closed to vehicles from sunrise to 3pm to allow for bicycles and pedestrians to enjoy the road at a more leisurely pace. The Fruita area and main road through the park (UT highway 24) - will remain open and unaffected by this closure.

Read the full alert

Overview

Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Arts and Culture
  • Cultural Demonstrations
  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Horse Camping (see also Horse/Stock Use)
  • Group Camping
  • RV Camping
  • Canyoneering
  • Climbing
  • Rock Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Self-Guided Tours - Auto
  • Hands-On
  • Citizen Science
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Volunteer Vacation
  • Hiking
  • Backcountry Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horse Camping (see also camping)
  • Horseback Riding
  • Living History
  • First Person Interpretation
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Capitol Reef National Park: Capitol Reef is a 24 hour park, open all day, every day. The visitor center is open daily, except for some major holidays. Visitor center hours vary, call 435-425-3791 and follow the prompts for current visitor center information.

Fees and passes

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle — $20.00
  • Entrance - Motorcycle — $15.00
  • Entrance - Per Person — $10.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Per Person — $10.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $100.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $100.00
  • Commercial Entrance - Per Person — $10.00
  • Annual Entrance - Park — $35.00

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at federal recreation lands across all four agencies.

Getting there

From I-70: Take exit 149, then take UT-24 west toward Hanksville; continue for 43.8 miles (70.5 km). Turn right to continue on UT-24 west and continue for 37.3 miles (60 km). From I-15: take exit 188 then US-50 east toward Scipio. Left on UT-50; continuing 0.7 miles (1.1 km). Turn right onto US-50 east; continue for 24.4 miles (39.3 km). Turn right onto UT-260 south and continue 4.2 miles (6.8 km), then right on UT-24 for 71.3 miles. UT-12: North on highway 12 to Torrey, UT. Right onto UT-24.

Visitor centers

Campgrounds

  • Fruita Campground (71 sites) — reserve
  • Group Campsite (1 sites) — reserve
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Primitive campsites at Cathedral Campground (6 sites)
  • Primitive campsites at Cedar Mesa Campground (5 sites)

Weather

Weather is posted daily; check at the park visitor center for weather updates. Do not enter into narrow canyons if there is a threat of rain or if rain has been falling in the area. Rain and snow may also make dirt roads impassable to vehicles.

Phone: 435-425-3791

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

A hiker stands beside Hickman Bridge, a natural sandstone bridge
Hickman Bridge · NPS Photo
Exposed layers of rock in the Waterpocket fold
Strike Valley · NPS Photo
Cliffs known as "The Castle" tower above the Capitol Reef Visitor Center
Capitol Reef Visitor Center with "The Castle" · NPS Photo
Fruit tree with peaches in front of red sandstone cliffs
Capitol Reef Peach Orchard · NPS Photo

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