Flash flood
Backcountry risk
3 roads
Access routes
4 areas
Campgrounds
$20
7-day fee
Excellent
Dark sky
Historic
Fruita orchards
Waterpocket Fold & Backcountry RoadsFlash flood risk▾
Park Entrance & Scenic Drive3 routes · $20▾
Main Access
Open Year-Round
Highway 24, through the park
Unlike most national parks, a public state highway (UT-24) runs right through Capitol Reef, free to drive with no entrance fee required for through-traffic — only the paved Scenic Drive spur requires payment.
💡 Fruita, the historic district with the campground and orchards, sits right off Highway 24.
NPS directions ↗
Scenic Drive
Paved, Year-Round
~8 miles one-way from the visitor center
The only paved road into the park's interior, passing through Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge. Entrance fee required beyond the visitor center.
💡 Can flood and close temporarily during heavy summer monsoon storms.
Scenic Drive info ↗
Cathedral Valley
High-Clearance 4WD Only
Remote northern district
Includes a river-ford crossing of the Fremont River and miles of unpaved road to reach massive sandstone monoliths — no services, no cell signal, and no paved access.
💡 Check the river ford depth at the visitor center before attempting the crossing.
Cathedral Valley info ↗
Campgrounds4 areas▾
Fruita Campground Reservable ▾
Sites71
Price$25/night
SeasonYear-round
NotesSet among the historic orchards; up to 6 months ahead
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Group Campsite Reservable ▾
Sites1
NotesSecluded, near Fruita Campground; rolling 12-month booking window
Book on Recreation.gov ↗
Cathedral Campground (Primitive) Free, First-Come, First-Served ▾
Sites6
Notes~36 mi from visitor center, ~7,000 ft, no water, high-clearance access
Campground details ↗
Cedar Mesa Campground (Primitive) Free, First-Come, First-Served ▾
Sites5
NotesRemote southern district, no water, check road conditions first
Campground details ↗
Landmarks & Trailheads5 stops▾
Fruita & Scenic Drive3 stops▾
Capitol DomeRoadside · white sandstone dome, the park's namesakeOverlook only
Hickman BridgeModerate · natural bridge span~1.8 mi RT
Cassidy ArchStrenuous · named for outlaw Butch Cassidy~3.4 mi RT
Backcountry & Remote2 stops▾
Chimney RockModerate · isolated red-rock spire~3.6 mi loop
Cathedral Valley4WD · massive sandstone monolithsFull-day trip
River Conditions1 live gauge▾
Fremont River at Hwy 24 (near Caineville)
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Gauge HeightLoading…
Stargazing & Night SkyExcellent, informal▾
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Capitol Reef's remote location, far from major cities, makes for excellent dark skies across the entire park — especially in Cathedral Valley, away from even the modest lights of Fruita. Best on new-moon nights. Bring warm layers — high-desert nights cool quickly after sunset. NPS plan-your-visit info ↗
Historic Orchards & Concessions1 location▾
Gifford Homestead1 location▾
Gifford House StorePies · Gifts · Pioneer-era goodsSeasonal
Park Contact Information