Looking for the best hikes in Capitol Reef? This hidden gem is located in the Waterpocket Fold in Utah and it’s one of the most underrated national parks in Utah.
With stunning sandstone mountains in multiple colors, canyons, and overlooks with incredible views, it has plenty of charm and beauty.
With its many possibilities to explore, it can be quite difficult to decide which hikes to choose for your trip, especially if you’re also visiting the rest of Utah’s Mighty 5.
To make your decision easier, we have compiled a list of the best hikes to explore in Capitol Reef National Park.
From petroglyphs to slot canyons to arches, these hikes offer a variety of unique experiences that you won’t want to miss.
Key Takeaways
- Capitol Reef National Park offers stunning sandstone mountains, and canyons, and overlooks with incredible views.
- The park has a variety of unique hiking experiences, including petroglyphs, slot canyons, and arches.
- Capitol Reef is an underrated national park that is definitely worth visiting and deserves a spot on your Utah hiking bucket list.
Capitol Reef Best Hikes to Add to Your Utah Itinerary
Believe it or not, Capitol Reef National Park is home to some of the most spectacular and unique landscapes in the U.S.
It has over 200 miles of hiking trails leading to natural wonders like arches, canyons, and towering rock formations.
Sounds like enough to please just about everyone with a desire to explore!
If you’re ready for an exciting adventure travel experience, here are the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park to add to your Utah itinerary.
1. Hickman Bridge Trail
This is a relatively short and easy hike that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.
The Hickman Bridge Trail is only 1.8 miles long, making it perfect for beginners and inexperienced hikers.
It can take you about 2 hours to complete this hike, and you will begin with a walk along the Fremont River before ascending to a higher point.
The trail ends at the Hickman Bridge, a beautiful arch at the back of the canyon. For the most impressive view of the bridge, we suggest staying to your left at the trail’s fork.
2. Cassidy Arch Trail
For the more adventurous hikers, this is one of the most thrilling hikes and it’s also one of the main things that Capitol Reef National Park is famous for.
The Cassidy Arch Trail is one of the top hikes with moderate difficulty that covers 3.4 miles and takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete.
While this trail that’s accessible from the Scenic Drive offers stunning views of Grand Wash, the highlight of the hike is the Cassidy Arch.
You can walk across the arch or enjoy its magnificent view from a distance.
3. Rim Overlook Trail
This trail offers some of the best views of Fruita and Capitol Reef National Park. You will also be able to see the Scenic Drive and the Waterpocket Fold of Utah from this trail.
The Rim Overlook Trail is a moderate hike that covers about 4.6 miles and takes about 3 hours to complete.
If you want to hike for a longer time, you can combine this hike with the Hickman Bridge Trail on the same day.
4. Sulphur Creek Trail
If you’re an experienced hiker with route-finding skills, then this advanced hike might be for you.
The Sulphur Creek Trail is a remote hike that covers 5.8 miles one-way and requires a second vehicle to use as a shuttle since the trail is usually walked from one point to another.
This hike can take about 4 to 5 hours to complete and you will get to walk through the river in a deep canyon, making it a very similar hiking experience to The Narrows in Zion.
5. Capitol Gorge Trail
This trail is only 1.5 miles long and is completely flat, making it one of the easiest hikes in Capitol Reef National Park.
Capitol Gorge Trail can take you about 45 minutes to complete and the trailhead is located at the very end of Capitol Gorge Road.
This hiking trail leads to petroglyphs, where you’ll also see names etched on the walls from some of the settlers in the area in the 1800s.
6. Chimney Rock Trail
This 3.6-mile hike offers beautiful views of the park and will only take you 2 to 4 hours to complete.
At the beginning of your hike through the Chimney Rock Trail, it’s a bit of a climb, but the rest of the trail is relatively flat.
As you pass the sandstone mountains, you will get the opportunity for a spectacular view of Fruita and the Waterpocket Fold.
7. Navajo Knobs Trail
This is one of the longest and toughest hikes in Capitol Reef National Park.
Navajo Knobs Trail can take you anywhere between 4 and 7 hours to complete with a total approximate distance of 9.5 miles.
The total ascent of this trip is 2,725 feet! You will start to hike on the valley floor and then up towards the Rim Overlook Trail.
Then, continue your climb for another 2.5 miles, where you’ll get jaw-dropping views of Castle Rock and the famous Waterpocket Fold.
Eventually, you will get to the Navajo Knobs—the highest point in the park, where you will get the most epic views of Capitol Reef!
8. Grand Wash Trail
With a completely flat surface, Grand Wash Trail is perfect for beginners. This is a 4.4-mile round trip that can take about 2 hours to complete.
The Grand Wash Trail is another trail in Capitol Reef that’s very similar to The Narrows in Zion National Park.
The main difference is that this trail doesn’t have water between the canyon.
Petroglyphs in Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef National Park is not only known for its unique rock formations but also for its rich history.
If you didn’t know, this park is home to petroglyphs that date back to 600-1300 A.D. How cool is that?
These petroglyphs were created by the Puebloan people who used to live in the area. You can view an incredible petroglyph panel on the rocks by walking along the boardwalk.
To get to the petroglyph boardwalk, you can head about 1.5 miles to the east of the Visitor Center.
Practice Responsible Tourism
It’s important to note that these petroglyphs are protected by a barrier, and it’s crucial to not touch them in any form. It’s essential to admire this piece of history from a distance.
Other things to keep in mind when visiting the petroglyphs in Capitol Reef National Park:
- Do not touch the petroglyphs in any form.
- Admire them from a distance.
- Respect the barrier that protects the petroglyphs.
- Do not damage or deface the rocks in any way.
By following these guidelines, we can help preserve these incredible pieces of history for future generations to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Top Day Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park?
There is a great variety of day hikes that cater to hikers of all levels. Some of the top day hikes include:
| Trail Name | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hickman Bridge Trail | 2 miles | Easy | Natural arch, scenic views |
| Capitol Gorge Trail | 2 miles | Easy | Petroglyphs, scenic views |
| Grand Wash Trail | 4.4 miles | Easy | Narrow canyon, scenic views |
| Cassidy Arch Trail | 3.4 miles | Moderate | Natural arch, scenic views |
| Sulphur Creek Trail | 5.5 miles | Moderate | Waterfalls, scenic views |
Which Are the Easiest Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef?
If you’re looking for easy hikes, some of the best trails to consider include:
- Hickman Bridge Trail
- Capitol Gorge Trail
- Grand Wash Trail
These trails are well-maintained and offer scenic views without being too strenuous.
How Challenging is the Cassidy Arch Trail for Average Hikers?
Although Cassidy Arch trail is considered moderate in difficulty, is suitable for most hikers with average fitness levels.
However, this trail includes some steep inclines and rocky terrain and proper hiking shoes are encouraged. The stunning views of the natural arch make the hike completely worth it.
How Long Does it Take to Go Through Capitol Reef National Park?
To thoroughly visit this enchanting national park in Utah, I would recommend that you spend at least 2-3 days exploring the park’s hiking trails and scenic drives.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the unique settings and landscapes found within Capitol Reef National Park, make it a worthy addition to any traveler’s bucket list.
An early morning hike to Hickman Bridge is a must-do and one of the best moments you’ll get to experience from your visit.
Save it for later!
Yanitza Ninett
Yanitza is an avid adventurer with 15+ years of hiking experience and outdoor travel. As a PADI-certified scuba diver, she's also passionate about ocean conservation. When she's not exploring the great outdoors, Yanitza obsesses over The Vampire Diaries and dreams of traveling to Mallorca, Spain.
The US seems to have a wealth of amazing hikes and these ones in Capitol Reef are no exception – if only I lived closer!!
Capitol Reef deserves a place in your bucket list, for sure!
I totally agree that Capitol reef is an overlooked park. I’ve only been there once, but it was gorgeous. The red rock is so beautiful. Great job of capturing it.
Thank you so much! I’ve been there once as well. Looking forward to going back!
You are bringing back the best memories of our 2021 visit! Love love Hickman Bridge..the overlook was a little scary, but so beautiful..and we saved the petroglyphs till late afternoon when we were tired, because it such an easy walk..
Hickman Bridge was one of my favorites! Saving the petroglyphs for the late afternoon is a great idea!
I’ve never been to Utah but it’s on my list. It is so beautiful in every picture I see. Saving this for when I’m able to make it there. Thanks!
It’s absolutely beautiful!