Capitol Reef National Park

About this place

Capitol Reef National Park is in south-central Utah, about 34 km southeast of the town of Torrey in a straight line. It runs about 100 km north to south and is on average only about 10 km wide, and it is open all year. The park was established in 1971 to protect about 979 square kilometres of desert landscape, having been made a national monument in 1937 to protect its colourful canyons, ridges and rock formations. It preserves most of the Waterpocket Fold, an uplifted rock formation running about 160 km from Thousand Lake Mountain to Lake Powell, at its most spectacular by the Fremont River. The park is named for its white sandstone domes, which resemble the dome of the Capitol building. Towering cliffs of red and orange rock rise in clear bands, topped by white sandstone domes, surrounded by desert flats dotted with juniper, and coloured hills glow red and violet. Visitors drive the scenic road, hike narrow canyons and visit the historic orchards of the Fruita valley. Spring and autumn are the best times, as summer is hot.