How to Spend One Day in Capitol Reef National Park

Located west of Torrey in Utah’s south-central desert, Capitol Reef National Park was the third stop on our unforgettable Southwest road trip, after Zion and Bryce Canyon and before Arches and Canyonlands.

Capitol Reef is often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors and is one of the least visited of the Utah Mighty 5. But, that only adds to its magic!

Capitol Reef is also quieter, more serene, and way less crowded than some of the others too.

Set in the heart of the Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100-mile-long geologic wrinkle in the Earth’s crust, the park feels like a hidden treasure of cliffs, canyons, domes, and natural bridges just waiting to be explored.

Tim and I visited in late October, and honestly, this might be the best time to go. The weather was perfect for hiking, the orchards were just starting to turn golden, and we even got our hands on a slice of that famous Gifford House pie!

In just one day, we managed to hike through canyons, stand beneath a natural arch, explore ancient petroglyphs carved by the Fremont people, and soak in some of the park’s most scenic views.

If you’re planning to visit the Utah Mighty 5 and wondering if it’s worth carving out time for Capitol Reef, my answer is an enthusiastic “yes!”

Here’s exactly how we spent one day in Capitol Reef National Park, what we loved most, and tips to help you plan your own visit.

1-Day Capitol Reef Itinerary

If you only have one day in Capitol Reef National Park, don’t worry—you can still cover a lot of ground and experience some of the park’s most iconic sights without feeling too rushed.

Here’s the exact itinerary we followed during our visit in late October:

• Hike the Cassidy Arch Trail
• Drive along the Scenic Drive
• Stop at the Gifford House (and get a pie!)
• Hike the Hickman Bridge Trail
• Visit the Fremont Petroglyph Panels 
• Make a quick stop at the Fruita Schoolhouse
• Stroll around the Goosenecks Trail
• Stop at Panorama Point

This one-day itinerary gave us the perfect mix of Capitol Reef hikes, scenic drives, local history, and unforgettable views.

Now, let’s look at each of these stops in more detail!

Cassidy Arch Trail

• Distance: 3.4 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: 670 feet
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Trailhead: Grand Wash Road (off the Scenic Drive)

We started our day with one of the best hikes in Capitol Reef.

The Cassidy Arch Trail is named after the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy and leads you to a massive, natural arch, perched high above the canyon.

It’s a moderate-to-challenging but rewarding route and offers lots of panoramic views along the way.

The trail starts with a steep climb and continues across slickrock—follow the rock cairns carefully to stay on track.

You’ll gain elevation quickly, but the canyon views make every step worth it.

Standing above the arch is a major “wow” moment, especially in the soft morning light.

This trail is also part of the Frying Pan Trail, which connects to Cohab Canyon, if you’re looking for a longer day hike option.

🥾 Ready to prepare for your hikes in Capitol Reef? Check out my Amazon hiking gear list for my favorite trail-tested essentials!

The Scenic Drive

• Distance: 7.9 miles (paved, plus optional unpaved spurs)
• Time Needed: 1–1.5 hours with stops

After hiking Cassidy Arch, we gave our legs a break and hopped in the car for a drive along Capitol Reef’s Scenic Drive.

This 7.9-mile, paved road winds through some of the park’s most dramatic landscapes—towering cliffs, colorful rock layers, and hidden canyons.

Along the way, there are plenty of pullouts for photos or quick walks.

If you’re up for a bit more adventure, you can turn off onto dirt spur roads like Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge for even more scenic views and awesome hiking opportunities.

Just be sure to check weather and road conditions before heading off the pavement!

Gifford Homestead

By late morning, we were ready for a snack, so we made our way to the Gifford House in the Fruita Historic District.

Built in 1908 and once home to several pioneer families, this adorable farmhouse-turned-gift-shop sells handmade goods, like jams, jellies, quilts, books, and—most importantly—locally-baked fruit pies.

The Gifford House is open seasonally from Pi Day (March 14) through October 31, and conveniently, we visited on Halloween—talk about perfect timing!

There’s a picnic area out front, and it’s a great place to take a break and soak in the fall colors from the surrounding orchards.

In my opinion, no visit to Capitol Reef National Park is complete without stopping at the Gifford House!

Hickman Bridge Trail

• Distance: 1.8 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: 400 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead: Highway 24, just east of the Visitor Center

With our pie-fueled energy, we hit the trail again—this time for the Hickman Bridge Trail, a 1.8-mile round-trip hike that’s short, scenic, and one of the most popular in the park (for good reason!).

The trail begins with a gentle incline and passes some cool rock formations, including the smaller Nels Johnson Natural Bridge (a little arch with a smiley face shape), before looping around to the main attraction: a 133-foot natural bridge tucked into the canyon.

This was the perfect mid-day hike—not too strenuous, but still packed with views and geologic features that give you a real taste of Capitol Reef.

If you’re short on time or only have energy for one hike in Capitol Reef, I’d choose this one.

🎒 Check out my complete hiking packing list to learn what to bring on all of your Capitol Reef hikes.

Petroglyph Panels

Next, we made a quick stop to see the Fremont Petroglyph Panels, which are just off the main road near the Fruita area and more easily accessible than some of the other Capitol Reef hikes.

A short boardwalk trail takes you to a series of ancient petroglyphs etched into the rock by the Fremont Culture, who lived in this area from around 300–1300 CE.

Here, you’ll see ancient carvings of people, animals, and symbols that are more than 1,000 years old.

It’s a fast stop, but one that really adds depth to your visit. Seeing that kind of history up close is always humbling!

A Broad Recommendation: This site, along with all other archeological sites in Capitol Reef, is protected, and there’s a hefty fine for vandalism. Please stay on the trail and help preserve this beautiful piece of Indigenous history.

Fruita Schoolhouse

Just down the road from the petroglyphs, the tiny Fruita Schoolhouse is a charming one-room building tucked beneath the sandstone cliffs.

Built in 1896, it once served the children of Fruita’s early pioneer families—back when the town was still called Junction.

During its time, the school wasn’t just for learning. It also hosted town meetings, dances, church youth events, and local elections.

There’s a short audio guide on-site that gives you a glimpse into what life was like here in the early 1900s (spoiler: some of the kids were a bit unruly!).

Though the school officially closed in 1941 due to a lack of students, today, it’s a quick and worthwhile stop that adds a dose of local history to your Capitol Reef itinerary.

Goosenecks

• Distance: 0.2 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: <50 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Near Panorama Point

Before wrapping up the day, we drove up to the Goosenecks Overlook—a super short walk that delivers one of the most dramatic views in the park.

This easy trail is only about 0.2 miles round-trip and leads to a breathtaking overlook of Sulphur Creek Canyon, where the twisting river has carved deep gooseneck-shaped bends into the rock below.

This is another easy add-on to your Capitol Reef itinerary. It only takes a few minutes and delivers some serious views—the kind that may even leave you speechless!

Panorama Point

We ended our day at Panorama Point, which is especially stunning in the golden light of late afternoon (and at sunset).

It’s a quick pull-off with a wide-open view of the Waterpocket Fold and glowing red rock cliffs that seem to stretch on forever.

A stop here was the perfect way to close out our one day in Capitol Reef—quiet, golden, and totally unforgettable.

Capitol Reef Itinerary Add-Ons

If you have more than one day in Capitol Reef National Park, here are a few more things you may want to check out.

Other Capitol Reef Hikes

We only had time for a couple of trails during our one-day visit, but we did some research beforehand and bookmarked a few more hikes for next time.

If you’re staying longer or want to switch things up, here are a few that caught our eye:

• Chimney Rock Loop (3.6 miles RT): A great option for sunset, with panoramic views of the Waterpocket Fold.
• Grand Wash (up to 4.4 miles RT): Hike through a deep canyon with narrows; you don’t need to do the full trail to enjoy the best parts.
• Sunset Point (0.8 miles RT): True to its name, this short trail offers easy access to gorgeous sunset views.
• Cohab Canyon Trail (3.4 miles RT): Scenic views of Fruita, hidden canyons, and several spur trails with stunning overlooks.

If you have time to try one of these, let me know how it goes!

You can also check the NPS website for up-to-date trail info and difficulty levels.

Capitol Reef Backcountry Trails

If you’re planning a longer visit or looking for more rugged, off-the-beaten-path experiences, Capitol Reef also offers some incredible backcountry hiking opportunities.

Popular routes like the Upper and Lower Muley Twist Canyons and Halls Creek take you deep into twisting gorges, narrow slot canyons, and up to breathtaking viewpoints above the Waterpocket Fold.

You’ll also find remote hiking options in Cathedral Valley, though reaching them often requires a high-clearance vehicle.

Backcountry permits are required for overnight trips, but they’re free and easy to pick up at the Visitor Center.

While we didn’t have time for backcountry adventures on this trip, it’s something I’d love to explore on a return visit!

Sunrise & Sunset Spots

If you’re an early riser (or a golden hour chaser like me!), Capitol Reef has some truly stunning sunrise and sunset spots—perfect for capturing the park’s signature red rock glow.

If you have a high-clearance vehicle and extra time, consider venturing out to Cathedral Valley, a remote area of the park known for its dramatic monoliths.

The Temple of the Sun and Moon look especially magical at sunrise (or sunset).

Just be sure to check current road conditions with the Visitor Center before making the trek—it’s about a 2-hour drive each way.

Don’t want to stray too far? Here are a few sunset options that are much easier to reach and still offer incredible views:

• Hickman Bridge Trail: Moderate, 1.8-mile hike with canyon views and soft evening light.
• Chimney Rock Loop: A more strenuous, 3.6-mile loop with sweeping panoramas over the Waterpocket Fold.
• Sunset Point: Short and sweet (0.8 miles round trip) with classic Capitol Reef views—it really lives up to its name!

Capitol Reef Location

Capitol Reef National Park is located just minutes west of Torrey, Utah, in the state’s south-central desert.

It’s perfectly positioned between Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park, making it an easy and scenic stop on any Utah Mighty 5 road trip.

Getting to Capitol Reef

We visited Capitol Reef as part of a larger U.S. Southwest road trip, flying into Las Vegas (McCarran International Airport) and making our way through Zion and Bryce Canyon before heading toward Capitol Reef.

The drive from Las Vegas to Capitol Reef takes about 5 hours, but we broke it up over several days with our national park stops.

If you follow this route, I highly recommend going through Scenic Byway 12 via Escalante and stopping at Lower Calf Creek Falls—a highlight of the drive (though you will have to hike for it!).

Other airport options include:

• Salt Lake City International Airport: just under a 4-hour drive to Capitol Reef
• Grand Junction Regional Airport: closest (about a 3-hour drive), but smaller and less convenient

A Broad Recommendation: Cell service is spotty throughout this area, so be sure to download offline Google Maps, pack extra water and snacks, and carry warm layers—just in case.

Capitol Reef Entrance Fee

Entrance fees vary by vehicle type and duration, but during our visit, entry for a private vehicle was $20 and valid for 7 days.

Check the National Park Service website for information on fees, permits, trail conditions, and more.

A Broad Recommendation: If you plan to visit multiple national parks, skip the individual entry fees and get the America the Beautiful U.S. Park Pass instead. It costs $80, is valid for a full year, and gives you access to thousands of national parks and federal lands—this is well worth the investment in my opinion!

Where to Stay Near Capitol Reef

Best Hotel Near Capitol Reef

We stayed at the Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse, just minutes from the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive. And, for the location, price, and all the amenities, I’d definitely recommend it if you’re staying near Capitol Reef.

The property kind of feels like a little town of its own—with an on-site steakhouse, a gift shop, an indoor pool and hot tub, a playground, and even a game area with volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, and tetherball.

They also offer a super cool glamping experience in Conestoga Wagons, which are replicas of the pioneer-style wagons used in the American West—each with its own private bathroom, heat/AC, fridge, microwave, and Wi-Fi.

I so wish we had looked into those ahead of time. This was definitely a missed opportunity!

We booked through Hotels.com and paid just under $120 for the night, which included breakfast.

A Broad Recommendation: You’ll earn OneKeyCash from booking on Hotels.com. This can be applied to future bookings through Expedia, Hotels.com, or Vrbo. Don’t forget to activate Rakuten too for extra cash-back perks!

Camping in Capitol Reef

If you’d prefer to camp instead, there are a couple of options in the park:

• Fruita Campground: Nestled along the Fremont River and surrounded by historic orchards, the park’s only developed campground has 71 sites with picnic tables, fire pits, and grills. It’s open year-round, and reservations are available from March through October.
• Cathedral Valley & Cedar Mesa Campgrounds: The park also offers two free, primitive campgrounds in more remote areas. They’re first-come, first-served and ideal for solitude and stargazing.

More info on all campgrounds is available on the NPS website.

Where to Eat Near Capitol Reef

There are no restaurants or grocery stores inside the park, so we packed a lunch and ate in our car in between hikes.

For dining or groceries, head to Torrey, just outside the park boundary.

A Broad Recommendation: We kept our RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler in the car throughout our Southwest U.S. road trip, and it definitely came in handy for eating lunch in Capitol Reef and for those longer drives between parks!

Weather at Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef experiences all four seasons, but the weather varies depending on elevation and location within the park.

• Winter is cold with occasional snowstorms.
• Spring has cool mornings, moderate afternoons, and blooming orchards.
• Summer is hot and dry with a chance of monsoons and flash floods.
• Fall offers cooler temps, fruit-picking season, and beautiful autumn colors.

We visited on Halloween (end of October), and the weather was sunny, cool, and perfect for hiking!

I may be biased, but I think fall is one of the best times to visit Capitol Reef National Park.

What to Pack for Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef might not have the crowds of Zion or the extremes of Canyonlands, but you’ll still want to be prepared—especially since services in the park are limited and cell signal can be spotty.

Here are a few day hiking essentials I recommend bringing for your one day in Capitol Reef National Park:

• Reusable water bottle or a hydration pack
• Daypack filled with snacks or a packed lunch (there’s no food sold in the park)
• Sturdy hiking shoes or trail runners worn with moisture-wicking socks
• Layers—fall mornings can be chilly, even if the afternoon warms up
• Comfy hiking pants/shorts like these leggings or workout shorts (with pockets to hold your phone!)
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Downloaded offline maps (via Google Maps or AllTrails)
• Power bank and cords to keep all of your devices charged
• Camera or phone for lots of photos!

📌 Need a full list? Check out my complete day hiking packing list for national parks and beyond!

Final Thoughts on One Day in Capitol Reef

Though Capitol Reef may be one of Utah’s most underrated national parks, that’s exactly what makes it so special.

With fewer crowds, breathtaking red rock landscapes, fascinating history, and some of the best pie you’ll ever eat in a national park (seriously!), it’s the perfect place to slow down and soak in the beauty of this part of the country.

If you’re planning a Southwest road trip or tackling the Utah Mighty 5, definitely don’t skip Capitol Reef!

Next, we set off for Arches National Park, which is home to more than 2,000 natural stone arches and some of the most otherworldly landscapes in the U.S.

If you’re planning to visit too, check out my next post for our favorite hikes and photo spots and some important tips to help you make the most of your time here!

👉 Read Next: The Best Hikes in Arches National Park

Other National Parks to Explore

XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads