Capitol Reef National Park Travel Guide

Introduction

This is a difficult section to write. Capitol Reef National Park is one of those little-known gems, drawing far fewer visitors than its more famous neighbors, Bryce Canyon and Zion, and to be honest, it's easy to be selfish and keep this jewel of a park a Utah traveler's inside secret.

Alas, that wouldn't be fair. For one thing, Capitol Reef is a place you really ought to know about. For another, the secret's already getting out. Not long ago, Outside magazine sang the praises of Capitol Reef as one of America's eight under-visited national parks -- "parks as they were meant to be."

What Makes the Capitol Reef So Special?

Capitol Reef National Park offers loads of that spectacular southern Utah scenery, but with a unique twist and a personality all its own. The area's geologic formations are downright peculiar; this is a place to let your imagination run wild. You'll see the appropriately named Hamburger Rocks, sitting atop a white sandstone table; the tall, rust-red Chimney...