The Best Capitol Reef Hikes for Every Skill Level

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef is the Mighty Five park you choose when you don't want to fight for a parking spot. Its trails see fewer people than Zion or Arches, the scenery is just as striking, and you can often have a 1,000-foot slot canyon all to yourself. Waterpocket Fold, a barely wrinkled 100-mile-long crease in the earth formed 65 million years ago, offers scenery you can explore on foot without the crowds.

If you only do one hike, make it Hickman Bridge. This 1.7-mile round-trip trail leads to a 125-foot natural bridge with a sweeping view over Fruita Valley. It's a moderate hike and takes less than 2 hours. For more: Cassidy Arch (3.2 miles, moderate) takes you to an overhanging arch, while Rim Overlook (4.4 miles, strenuous) offers a sweeping view of the park.

Getting ready for your Capitol Reef hike

Permits and entrance fees

You don't need a special permit for day hikes. The entrance fee covers all the trails: $20 per vehicle or $10 per pedestrian or cyclist, valid for 7 days. The park's annual pass costs $35. The America the Beautiful Pass covers admission.

Water: the critical issue

There is no drinking water on Capitol Reef's trails. Carry at least 2 liters per person for a 2- to 3-hour outing, and more in summer or on exposed trails such as Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs. The fountains at the visitor center and Fruita Campground are the only reliable water sources in the central area.

Flash floods and heat: two rules to keep in mind

The park's narrow canyons, including Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge, funnel flash floods even under clear skies when rain falls upstream. Weather conditions are posted each morning at the visitor center. You can also call 435-425-3791 for an update. If thunderstorms are forecast anywhere in the area, stay out of canyon bottoms that day.

In July and August, the gorges trap heat, and temperatures can climb above 100°F in canyon bottoms before noon. Our advice is simple: start before 8 a.m. and be back before 1 p.m.

Dogs

Dogs aren't allowed on any of the park's trails. They're permitted on paved roads and in campgrounds, but they must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Never leave them in a closed vehicle in hot weather.

Trail markers and navigation

The main trails are marked with cairns and signs at intersections. Cell service is almost nonexistent in the park. Download offline maps through the NPS app or Maps.me before leaving Torrey.

The best hikes, area by area

Fruita area: the classics in the heart of the park

The Fruita area around the visitor center has most of the park's marked trails. This is where you'll find the campground, orchards planted by Mormon pioneers, and the most accessible trailheads. Most parking areas are on UT-24, so you don't need to drive onto Scenic Drive.

Hickman Bridge

1.7 miles round-trip · +395 feet · 1.5 to 2 hours · moderate · out-and-back

The park's signature hike. The trail climbs along a cliff on red sandstone, passes a thousand-year-old Fremont kiva, and opens onto a view of a 125-foot natural bridge. The view is especially striking because you arrive above the bridge and look down on it, rather than seeing it from below. Trailhead: Hickman Bridge parking area on UT-24, 2.2 miles east of the visitor center. During the busy season, from May through September, the lot fills by 9 a.m. Arrive early or plan for after 4 p.m.

Fremont River Trail

2.5 miles round-trip · +100 feet · 1 to 1.5 hours · easy · out-and-back

A valley-bottom trail that follows the Fremont River between orchards and red cliffs. It's ideal for stretching your legs, getting out early or late in the day, or taking a walk with young children. The riverbanks provide some morning shade. Trailhead: behind the visitor center.

Cohab Canyon

3.4 miles round-trip · +525 feet · 2 to 2.5 hours · moderate · out-and-back

The name comes from the polygamous pioneers who hid here to practice their “cohabitation.” The trail climbs steadily from UT-24, then the canyon opens onto highly photogenic red sandstone walls. You can connect to the Hickman Bridge parking area via a ridgeline trail to make a 4-mile loop, provided you have two vehicles or don't mind adding 1 mile along UT-24. Trailhead: across from Fruita Campground.

Chimney Rock Loop

3.6-mile loop · +755 feet · 2 to 2.5 hours · moderate · loop

A loop around an isolated sandstone chimney that's easy to spot from the road. The trail offers changing views of the park's northwestern badlands. It's one of the park's few true loops, so you don't have to retrace your steps. Trailhead: Chimney Rock parking area on UT-24, 3.7 miles west of the visitor center.

Scenic Drive: slot canyons and an overhanging arch

The scenic road is included with the park entrance fee. It's paved as far as the Grand Wash parking area. The final 3.7-mile stretch to Capitol Gorge is a dirt road that's suitable for passenger cars in dry weather, but avoid it after rain.

Grand Wash

4.4 miles round-trip from UT-24 · or 2.2 miles round-trip from Scenic Drive · +65 feet · 2 hours (short version: 1 hour) · easy · out-and-back

A slot canyon whose walls reach 1,000 feet high while narrowing to about 30 feet at the tightest point. You walk along the often-dry riverbed between fallen sandstone blocks. There are no technical challenges, but the gorge holds heat and becomes dangerous during storms. Never enter when weather looks threatening, even if the sky above you is clear.

Cassidy Arch

3.2 miles round-trip · +670 feet · 2 to 2.5 hours · moderate · out-and-back

This trail starts in Grand Wash and climbs to a spot directly above the arch, which most visitors don't reach because many stop in the canyon below. Butch Cassidy reportedly used this area as a hideout. It gets far fewer visitors than the arches in Zion or Arches National Park. Trailhead: Grand Wash parking area on Scenic Drive.

Capitol Gorge

4 miles round-trip · +50 feet · 2 hours · easy · out-and-back

Before UT-24 opened in 1962, this narrow passage was the only road across Waterpocket Fold. The trail passes the Pioneer Register, names carved into the rock by travelers in the 1800s, and the “tanks,” natural basins filled by rainwater that served as watering holes for livestock. It's fascinating even if you're not a serious hiker. Trailhead: end of Scenic Drive.

Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs: high-elevation views

Both trails start at the same trailhead and offer the park's broadest views, with the entire Waterpocket Fold visible on a clear day.

Rim Overlook

4.4 miles round-trip · +1,000 feet · 3 to 4 hours · moderate to strenuous · out-and-back

The trail climbs from the bottom of Fruita Valley to the edge of a plateau, with 360-degree views of Waterpocket Fold, the orchards below, and the Henry Mountains on the horizon. This is our recommendation if you want a sweeping look at the park's geology without spending a full day on the trail.

Navajo Knobs

9.4 miles round-trip · +1,740 feet · 5 to 6 hours · difficult · out-and-back

An extension of Rim Overlook, this all-day hike continues to two sandstone domes overlooking the entire park. It's for experienced hikers in good physical condition. Carry at least 3 liters of water per person, use strong sun protection, and start before 7 a.m. There is no water source along the route.

Easy, family-friendly hikes

Capitol Reef isn't known as a family park, but several trails work very well for kids as young as 5 or 6.

Fremont River Trail (2.5 miles round-trip, flat, partly shaded): perfect for little ones, with overlooks of the river and cliffs and almost no elevation gain.

Grand Wash from Scenic Drive (2.2 miles round-trip, flat): impressive slot-canyon scenery with no climbing. Kids can look for the water “tanks” in the rock. Check the forecast before entering this canyon with young children. Flash floods are the main danger.

Capitol Gorge (4 miles round-trip, flat): similar to Grand Wash, with the added appeal of the Pioneer Register and its pioneer history. The first section is accessible with an all-terrain stroller.

For a short, educational outing without a real hike, stop at the Fremont petroglyphs on UT-24. A sign marks the site from the visitor center, where you can see thousand-year-old rock art along 650 feet of flat trail. Allow 20 to 30 minutes.

Our guide to visiting Capitol Reef with your family covers these options and gives specific advice for planning a day with kids, including water, shade, and time and distances.

More strenuous hikes: elevation gain and wide-open spaces

For experienced hikers looking for a real workout or a viewpoint that doesn't appear in every park photo:

Navajo Knobs (9.4 miles round-trip, +1,740 feet) remains the benchmark: a full day, steady but gradual elevation gain, and a final view across the entire Waterpocket Fold. Start before 7 a.m. to beat the heat on ridges exposed to the afternoon sun.

Frying Pan Trail loop (about 8.5 miles, +1,150 feet): this route combines Cassidy Arch, a crossing of the sandstone plateau, and the descent through Cohab Canyon. You'll need two vehicles, one at each trailhead, or you can add 1.9 miles along UT-24 to close the loop.

Cohab Canyon + Rim Overlook combination (about 6.8 miles, +1,575 feet): climb through Cohab Canyon, cross the ridge, take in the view from Rim Overlook, and return the same way. It's a rewarding day that gives you a thorough look at the park's different landscapes.

Access, trailheads, and parking

The trailheads are spread along two main roads.

From UT-24: the Hickman Bridge, Chimney Rock, and petroglyph parking areas are directly accessible without taking Scenic Drive. You won't need to pay again if you've already entered the park. Brown signs point the way from the visitor center.

From Scenic Drive: Grand Wash, Cassidy Arch, and Capitol Gorge trailheads. The road is paved as far as Grand Wash. The final stretch to Capitol Gorge is a dirt road that's suitable for passenger cars in dry weather but not recommended after rain.

Parking tips: lots often fill between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. from May through October. Plan B is to arrive before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m. You can use the visitor center parking area as a starting point and walk to Hickman Bridge, 2.2 miles along UT-24.

There is no shuttle in the park. Our guide to getting to Capitol Reef covers options from Torrey, the closest town 11 miles away, and routes from the other Mighty Five parks.

When should you hike in Capitol Reef?

Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer the best conditions, with daytime temperatures between 59°F and 82°F, trails in good shape, and exceptional photographic light at sunrise and sunset.

Summer (June through August): exposed trails are manageable only with a very early start, before 8 a.m. The canyons are comfortable at dawn, before heat builds up in the gorges, but the risk of localized thunderstorms rises in July and August. Check the weather every morning without exception.

Winter (December through February): lower-elevation trails such as Grand Wash, Capitol Gorge, and Fremont River are generally accessible. Dirt roads, including Scenic Drive beyond Grand Wash, may become impassable after snow. Check conditions at the visitor center before setting out.

Our Capitol Reef seasons guide breaks down temperatures and conditions month by month so you can plan your trip.

Which hike is right for you?

For an overview of all the park's activities, our complete Capitol Reef guide covers the highlights beyond hiking.

Frequently asked questions