Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park is known for its captivating geology, stunning rock formations, and rich historical significance. Located in south-central Utah, the park encompasses a unique landscape shaped by the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust.
The park derives its name from the white Navajo Sandstone domes that resemble the United States Capitol building, coupled with the term “reef” that refers to the impassable nature of the Waterpocket Fold. Capitol Reef National Park is renowned for its towering cliffs, narrow canyons, and colorful rock layers, creating a paradise for geology enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Visitors can explore scenic drives, hike along breathtaking trails, and marvel at iconic landmarks such as the Hickman Bridge and the Fruita Historic District. The park also preserves remnants of ancient cultures, including petroglyphs and ruins of the Fremont people, providing a glimpse into the region’s rich human history.
VISIT Capitol Reef National Park:
Park Details
Capitol Reef National Park was established in .
| Address | |
|---|---|
| Phone | 435-425-3791 |
| Hours | Open year-round, 24 hours a day |
| Entrance Fee | $20 per vehicle, valid for 7 days |
When to Visit: Weather vs. Peak Visitation
We crunched 30 years of historical weather and/or park service data to find the best months to visit Capitol Reef National Park. We looked for the optimal temperatures, the least amount of snow and rain, and stayed away from peak visitation months if we could help it. All this data then helped us paint a picture as to what the absolute best time to visit Capitol Reef National Park is.
Our data shows the best months to visit Capitol Reef National Park are June, May, January & February.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Visits | 20,786 | 25,718 | 115,728 | 165,498 | 221,206 | 189,603 | 151,042 | 93,792 | 164,879 | 164,192 | 63,192 | 29,717 |
| Precipitation | 17 | 23 | 27 | 35 | 34 | 24 | 50 | 53 | 34 | 34 | 16 | 14 |
| Avg Temp | 37 | 41 | 51 | 61 | 71 | 82 | 87 | 84 | 77 | 64 | 49 | 38 |
| Max Temp | 48 | 53 | 64 | 74 | 83 | 91 | 94 | 91 | 86 | 77 | 63 | 50 |
| Avg Temp | 23 | 26 | 30 | 34 | 42 | 49 | 59 | 58 | 48 | 37 | 29 | 23 |
| Min Temp | 6 | 11 | 18 | 24 | 28 | 36 | 47 | 47 | 34 | 25 | 14 | 7 |
Capitol Reef National Park Road Trips
Many family vacations consist of stringing one or more national parks together during a week-long trip. Creating these types of trips is our specialty! Here are the road trips we've created where Capitol Reef National Park is visited.
| Trip Name | Trip Miles | Trip Days |
|---|---|---|
| South to North, Arizona to Montana & Saguaro to Glacier | 2,120 | 14 |
| Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase–Escalante to Capitol Reef | 583 | 9 |
| Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon to Zion | 750 | 10 |
| Grand Canyon to Zion National Park | 686 | 9 |
Other Nearby National Park Sites
From national monuments, to historic sites to seashores and more, here are the other parks closest to Capitol Reef National Park.