Capitol Reef National Park
National Park · UT
Caution · Elevated E. Coli levels - Fremont River and Sulphur Creek
Recent water quality testing shows elevated E. coli levels in the Fremont River and Sulphur Creek. A warning advisory has been issued by the Utah DEQ. Use caution if entering the water. Do not get water in your mouth, do not swim. Wash hands with soap and water.
Caution · Monsoon Season & Flash Floods
Heavy rains can cause sudden flooding, especially in canyons and washes. Do not drive or hike through flood waters. Get to high ground and wait for floods to subside. Some roads may close temporarily; closures are posted at the visitor center.
More information
Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles.
- NPS site
- nps.gov/care
- Location
- Capitol Reef National Park (38.282, -111.247)
Track your visit to Capitol Reef National Park
NP Tracker keeps a record of every National Park Service unit you visit — all 430-plus of them. Log visits with dates and photos, collect passport stamps, plan trips, and watch your map fill in. It's free.
Passport stamp locations
- Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center
Hours
Capitol Reef National Parktoday: All Day
- Sat Oct 3All Day
- Sun Oct 4All Day
- Mon Oct 5All Day
- Tue Oct 6All Day
- Wed Oct 7All Day
- Thu Oct 8All Day
- Fri Oct 9All Day
Capitol Reef is a 24 hour park, open all day, every day. The visitor center is open daily, except for some major holidays. Visitor center hours vary, call 435-425-3791 and follow the prompts for current visitor center information.
Hours are retrieved from the National Park Service and can change without notice — check the official site before you go.
Visitor centers
1
- Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Centertoday: 8:00AM - 4:30PMDirections
Self-guided tours
3
Scenic Drive Tour2 hours · 11 stops
The Scenic Drive is an 8-mile (13 km) paved road. Allot 2 hours roundtrip to drive the Scenic Drive and the two dirt spur roads that lead into deep canyons, Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge. These dirt spur roads are usually suitable for passenger vehicles and small RVs up to 23 feet in length. Roads may close due to snow, ice, and flash flooding. An entrance fee is charged for the Scenic Drive. Pay at the self-pay station at Stop 1 or purchase a pass for all federal lands at the visitor center.
Utah Highway 24 Tour – Eastbound30–90 minutes · 11 stops
Utah State Route 24 is the main driving route in Capitol Reef National Park, crossing the park for 15 mi (24 km) from west boundary to east boundary. It passes through the Fruita Historic District, where Scenic Drive branches off to the south. You will experience 280 million years of Earth history written in the rocks as the road cuts through a cross section of the Waterpocket Fold. The wide range of landscapes supports diverse ecosystems and has served as a home to human cultures for millennia.
Utah Highway 24 Tour – Westbound30–90 minutes · 11 stops
Utah State Route 24 is the main driving route in Capitol Reef National Park, crossing the park for 15 mi (24 km) from west boundary to east boundary. It passes through the Fruita Historic District, where Scenic Drive branches off to the south. You will experience 280 million years of Earth history written in the rocks as the road cuts through a cross section of the Waterpocket Fold. The wide range of landscapes supports diverse ecosystems and has served as a home to human cultures for millennia.
Entrance fees
4
- Private Vehicle — $20.00
An entrance fee is charged per vehicle.
- Motorcycle — $15.00
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Per Person — $10.00
Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians.
- Annual Entrance - Park — $35.00
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle or motorcycle and all its occupants or riders.
Commercial rates4
- Per Person — $10.00
Commercial Road-Based Tours are required to obtain a Commercial Use Authorization before visiting Capitol Reef. When visiting the park, the tour must then pay the separate entrance fee at the visitor center (or through pay.gov). Tours with vehicle capacity of 15 or less should apply for a CUA in the "Guided Interpretive Tours" category. Tours of this size fall under the Guided Activities entry fee structure.