3 day itinerary in Capitol Reef

Utah

1 - 5 days

3 day

itinerary in

Capitol Reef

Behunin Cabin

Family homesteaded area, 13 children, one year.

Imagine homesteading this area with your family. Would more children make it easier? Elijah Cutler Behunin, his wife Tabitha Jane, and their 13 children lived in this cabin and the alcove above for just one year.

Bentonite Hills

Bentonite Hills: soft rounded hills, various colors, 4WD required, impassable road.

The Bentonite Hills are softly rounded, large hills of various shades of gray, red, maroon, brown, and green. High clearance 4-wheel drive is usually necessary to access them, and sometimes the road is impassable.

Capitol Dome

Capitol Dome at Capitol Reef, resembles capitol buildings, easy viewing.

Capitol Dome is part of why Capitol Reef has its name. The rounded dome resembled various capitol buildings, including the one in Washington D.C. It is easy to view from the Hickman Bridge Trailhead.

Capitol Reef National Park's Scenic Drive

8-mile Scenic Drive for viewing Capitol Reef National Park.

The nearly 8 mile winding Scenic Drive is a great way to see and experience Capitol Reef National Park.

Capitol Reef Orchards

Orchards near visitor center, remnants of pioneer community, harvest fruit.

The orchards that lie within a mile or two of the visitor center are evident remains of the pioneer community of Fruita, settled in 1880. Many varieties of heirloom fruit are available for harvest by visitors in season.

Cathedral Valley

Remote, rugged Cathedral District. High clearance vehicle, 4WD sometimes. Check road status at visitor center or 435-425-3791.

The Cathedral District of Capitol Reef is remote and rugged. A high clearance vehicle is required and occasionally 4 wheel drive as well. Check at the visitor center, or call 435-425-3791 for road conditions.

Fruita Schoolhouse

Experience pioneer life at Fruita Schoolhouse in rural Utah. (Walking time: N/A)

Visit the Fruita Schoolhouse, and imagine what life was like for a pioneer child in this rural corner of Utah.

Gifford House

Gifford House in Fruita Valley, resembling rural Utah farm homes.

The Gifford House lies in the heart of the Fruita valley and depicts the typical spartan nature of rural Utah farm homes of the early 1900s. Today, the home is open seasonally, as a small sales outlet.

Gypsum Sinkhole

Gypsum Sinkhole, 200 feet deep, formed by water dissolving rock.

The Gypsum Sinkhole is about 200 feet deep and was formed by water dissolving the gypsum, leaving a large cavity. The rock is very soft, stay back from the edge.

Lesley Morrell Line Cabin

Lesley Morrell Line Cabin showcases ranching past. High-clearance vehicle needed.

The Lesley Morrell Line Cabin provides a glimpse into the ranching past of Capitol Reef National Park. Access requires a high clearance vehicle. Check road conditions and weather before attempting.

Merin Smith Implement Shed

Shed built in 1925. Objects reflect life in Fruita then.

Fruita resident Merin Smith built this shed in 1925 as a workshop, blacksmith shop, and garage. The objects in the shed illustrate what life would have been like in Fruita during that time period.

Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area

Preserves Mormon settlement heritage through community-led efforts.

The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area preserves the natural, historical, and cultural heritage legacies and contributions of Mormon settlement in the West. The heritage area accomplishes this through community-led efforts to connect with the past by telling the Mormon pioneer story.

Panorama Point

Visit viewpoint for panoramic views.

Visit Panorama Point to see sweeping vistas of red rock cliffs.

Petroglyph Panel

Ancient rock carvings left by Fremont Culture people, 300-1300 CE.

View ancient rock markings carved by the Fremont Culture people who inhabited this area from 300-1300 Common Era (CE).

Pioneer Register

Hike to Pioneer Register in Capitol Gorge, no vandalism allowed.

Take a short hike in Capitol Gorge to see the historic Pioneer Register where early explorers and pioneers carved their names into the cliff wall. It is illegal to deface, vandalize, or add your own name to the Register.

Scenic Drive Stop 6

Juniper trees: dark bark, blue berries.

Juniper trees showcase dark, twisting bark and light blue berries.

Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon

Access Temples of Sun and Moon in Cathedral Valley with caution.

The Temples of the Sun and Moon in Cathedral Valley are large monoliths of Entrada Sandstone. High clearance 4-wheel drive is usually necessary to access them, and sometimes the roads in Cathedral Valley are impassable.

Waterpocket District

Remote Waterpocket District at Capitol Reef, high-clearance vehicle recommended. Check road status.

The Waterpocket District of Capitol Reef is rugged and remote. Road conditions vary, a high clearance vehicle is usually needed. Check at the visitor center, or call 435-425-3791 for road conditions.

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