Capitol Reef: No Running Water Right Now, Fill Your Bottles Before You Go In
A pumping failure has left Capitol Reef without running water and closed the plumbed restrooms. Here's how to adjust your visit right now.
By Jocelyn Pion,
If you're arriving at Capitol Reef in the next few hours, there's one thing to know before you pass the entrance: the park has no running water. A pumping problem is to blame. Nothing that'll wreck your trip, but it does change a couple of habits we'll walk you through here.
The first real change is that all the plumbed restrooms are closed for now. That doesn't leave you stranded, though. Vault toilets are still open at four well-spaced spots in the park: the Chimney Rock trailhead, the Hickman Bridge trailhead, the east entrance along SR 24, and the end of the paved stretch of the Scenic Drive. Scope out the one closest to your route before you head out on a trail.
The second habit to adjust, and the most important one in Utah's dry climate, is the water you drink. With the fountains and faucets not running right now, don't count on refilling your bottles inside the park. Your best bet is to top off in town before you enter. You can also buy bottled water at the visitor center and the Gifford House. Pack plenty, because heat and hiking empty a bottle faster than you'd think.
Good news, this is temporary. Park crews are working to get the system back up, and running water is expected to return later this morning. Until then, just plan on being self-sufficient on this one front.
None of this changes what makes the visit worth it. The trails, the overlooks, and the Scenic Drive are all still open. If you're planning your stop, keep the Capitol Reef park guide handy to line up your stops and timing. And if Capitol Reef is part of a bigger trip, it fits naturally into our road trip route that runs through the park. A full bottle, a few spares, and you're all set.