Capitol Reef National Park Area

Capitol Reef National Park offers marvelous scenery, hiking trails, historic sites including a deserted pioneer town, and unique geology and plant life. You can also find amazing rock art from the ancient Fremont Indian culture. Capitol Reef matches the wonder of nearby All American Road Scenic Byway 12.

A destination of extraordinary beauty and solitude, Capitol Reef offers a less-crowded alternative for national park visitors. Other nearby attractions include Goblin Valley State Park and Fish Lake.

	Capitol Reef National Park - See the cliffs, canyons and domes along Hwy. 24, and along the Park's Scenic Drive. View Capitol Dome (named after the U.S. Capitol Building), the park's old orchards and historic buildings. Consider driving into the park's backcountry for more superb scenery and hiking opportunities.
	All American Hwy 12 - Enjoy spectacular views overlooking Capitol Reef while driving Hwy 12 along the edge of Boulder Mountain.
	Hiking Trails - Explore exciting trails like Grand Wash, Hickman Bridge, Halls Creek Narrows, Brimhall Double Arch and many others.
	Burr Trail - Drive this extremely scenic road, which stretches from Lake Powell up through Capitol Reef and on to the town of Boulder. Also consider driving the Notom-Bullfrog Road along the Waterpocket Fold. Both roads have rough sections where you may need high clearance.
	Fish Lake - This high mountain lake is set in a beautiful forest. It offers very good fishing, excellent campgrounds, lodges and summer home sites. The area is also popular for riding ATVs and snowmobiling.
	Petroglyphs - Study the rock art along Hwy. 24, located 1.5 miles east of the visitor center.
	Cathedral Valley - Drive or bike through this remote and less visited area of the park.
	Goblin Valley - Kids love playing in this valley, which is filled with rocks shaped like goblins and animals and monsters and various phantoms. Located off Hwy 24, about 32 miles from Hanksville.
	Boulder Mountain and adjacent Thousand Lake Mountain - Explore thes high mountain areas located west of Cathedral Valley.
	Torrey (west gateway) and Hanksville (east gateway) - Pamper yourself by enjoying the facilities and visitor services offered in these quaint communities, which serve as gateways to the national park.

Capitol Reef National Park
Multi-colored cliffs, massive domes, and twisting canyons inspired the Native Americans to name this area "Land of the Sleeping Rainbow." Today, visitors flock to this colorful national park. Open year-round. 435-425-3791

Dixie National Forest
Diverse and spectacular scenery from red rock formations to alpine forests stretching 170 miles across the state. Address: 138 East Main Street, Box 90, Teasdale, UT 84773 435-425-3702

Fishlake National Forest
Combining aspen forests, scenic byways, Fish Lake and a variety of hiking and nature trails, this forest is also home to the 250-plus-mile Piute ATV Trail. Address: PO Box 129, Loa, UT 84747 435-836-2811

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
This geologic wonder consists of three major sections, Escalante Canyons, Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Grand Staircase, a huge area of pink, gray, white and vermilion cliffs beginning at the Grand Canyon and ending at this national monument. Address: PO Box 246, Escalante, UT 84726 435-826-5499 www.ut.blm.gov/utah/monument

Goblin Valley State Park
"Goblins" of eroded rock formations in strange shapes greet visitors. Dirt roads allow off-road vehicle travel. The park is located south of I-70 and west of state Route 24. 435-564-3633 http://parks.state.ut.us

Scenic Byway 12
Car & Driver Magazine has called Utah's Highway 12 from Capitol Reef National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park "the most scenic drive in America". Experience the "Hogs Back," where panoramas of vast slickrock, and scenic canyons are cut by the Escalante River, wind through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Anasazi State Park Museum
Home to one of the largest Ancestral Puebloan communities west of the Colorado River. Open year around, except Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. Museum is open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (September 16 - May 15, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) Address: P.O. Box 1429, Boulder, UT 84716-1429 435-335-7308 Fax: 435-335-7352 http://parks.state.ut.us

Horseshoe Canyon
This canyon offers a great hike to view ancient rock art. Horseshoe is actually part of Canyonlands National Park, but the best access is from Hwy 24 north of Hanksville.

Torrey Gallery
The Torrey Gallery is located in Torrey, the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park in Southern Utah. See "Strong and beautiful works of art in the midst of a strong and beautiful landscape", including paintings, photography, sculpture, Navajo rugs and more.

Hiking
Twisting gorges and slot canyons characterize Capitol Reef backcountry offering spectacular viewpoints of the park. The southern section of the park includes the popular hikes of Upper and Lower Muley Twist Canyons and Halls Creek

Biking
Although off terrain biking is not allowed throughout Capitol Reef National Park, four designated roads allow visitors to experience the splashes of colors via bike.

Off Road/ATV
Although most off-road driving is strictly forbidden within Capitol Reef National Park, many of its colorful vistas may be experienced on surrounding roads.

Horseback Riding
From the sculptured slickrock of the Waterpocket Fold to the alpine lakes and meadows of the high plateaus, riders may follow remote trails pioneered by wildlife, Indians, herdsmen, outlaws and explorers.

Read articles on travels and experiences in the Capitol Reef Destination.

Daily Walks & Nightly Amphitheater Programs (mid May - September)
Located in beautiful Capitol Reef National Park. 435-425-3791

Entrada Institute
Programs, musical events, presentations held on weekends. Torrey, 435-425-3791

Plays
Four productions throughout the summer at Grover Valley Playhouse. Grover, 435-785-8123

Wayne County Horse Races (June)
Loa, 435-836-2632

Torrey Apple Days (July)
Parade, games, swap meet, dinner & dance. Torrey, 435-425-3335

Bicknell International Film Festival (July)
Films, parade, presentations, parties. Bicknell, 435-425-3123

Wayne County Fair (August)
Exhibits, food, displays, games, parade. Loa, 435-836-2662

View all Events

Torrey - 12 miles to park Visitors' Center
Teasdale - 16 miles to park Visitors' Center
Bicknell - 20 miles to park Visitors' Center
Loa - 29 miles to park Visitors' Center
Hanksville - 37 miles to park Visitors' Center

Wonderland Inn - We combine the traditional flavors of American home cooking with our own special recipes. The results are delicious! 877-854-0184

The Aquarius Inn and Restaurant* - We are open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, 7days a week and offer a large menu of 'home-cooked' food at reasonable prices. 435-425-3771

Cafe Diablo* - Serving Innovative Southwestern Cuisine it has been named "Best Restaurant in Southern Utah." Open April through October - in Torrey. 435-425-3070

Capitol Reef Inn & Café* - Fresh, natural and local foods deliciously cooked to your satisfaction. Open April - October for breakfast, lunch and dinner - in Torrey. 435-425-3271.

Rim Rock Restaurant* - A taste of the old west, affordable food and fun in a fabulous setting. The steak house you've been looking for. Open April - October - in Torrey. 435-425-3388

Rabbit Valley Cantina* - Specializing in Mexican food such as enchiladas, burritos, chili rellenos, tacos, huevos rancheros and pizza. Open year-round in Bicknell. 435-425-3953

Sunglow Family Restaurant* - Great family restaurant, steaks, burgers, Mexican food and specialty pies - Pinto Bean, Pickle, Buttermilk and Oatmeal. Open year-round - in Bicknell. 435-425-3701

Lodge at Red River Ranch Restaurant* - Traditional classics with a gourmet flair. Open April - October for breakfast and dinner daily - on state Route 24 between Torrey and Bicknell. 435-425-3322, Fax: 435-425-3329

Stan's Burger Shack* - The traditional Lake Powell stop, great burgers, fries, shakes and homemade onion rings. Open year-round, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in Hanksville. 435-542-3441

El Gringo's Especiales - Specializing in fresh and authentic mexican food. Open 7 days a week from 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM. Located next to Austin's Chuck Wagon General Store in Torrey. Dine In or Take Out, 435-425-3290.

Major national restaurant and fast food chains available throughout the area.
*Can accommodate coach tours.

Utah's Dining Guide

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Additional information about the destination Capitol Reef region can be obtained by contacting Capitol Reef Country Travel Council at 435-425-3930.

Destination Bryce Canyon National Park: From Torrey, proceed south on state Route 12 to state Route 63. Continue south on state Route 63 to Bryce, Utah. Distance: 116 miles - 3 hours drive time.

Destination Moab: From Torrey proceed east on state Route 24 to I-70. Continue east on I-70 to U.S.191 and south on U.S. 191 to Moab, Utah. Distance: 150 miles / 3 hours drive time.

Destination Monument Valley - Trail of the Ancients: From Torrey, proceed east on state Route 24 to state Route 95. (Bicentennial Highway) Continue south on state Route 95 to U.S. 191 and north to Blanding, Utah. Distance 176 miles - 3 hours drive time. Distance on alternate routing using state Route 276: 220 miles - 4 hours drive time. Allow for toll ferry loading and crossing time approximately 1 hour.

Destination Price - Castle Country: From Torrey, proceed east on state Route 24 to I-70. Continue east on I-70 to U.S. 191/6. Proceed north on U.S. 191/6 to Price, Utah. Distance 152 miles - 3 hours drive time.

Capitol Reef National Park Area

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