The Castle

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Scenery		Brilliant-red rock juxtaposed in strange formations
Uniqueness		Formations similar to others in the Utah area
Wildlife		Weren't there long enough to see much
Diversity		Many trails, rock formations extremely varied
All ratings are on a "4-star" scale - for more on how these were assessed, view the how parks are rated page

The Park Founded in 1971, Capitol Reef is home to a dramatic geologic "fold" in the Earth's crust.   From the ground, the fold resembles cliffs and buttes, but from the air, the long parallel waves of rock become evident.  What this means to visitors is spectacular and unique rock formations.

In a Word "Vibrant"

Our Visit Our visit to Capitol Reef in June 2003 was purely an accident!  We were taking the scenic route from Bryce Canyon to I-70 when we literally ran into Capitol Reef National Park.  It certainly was a pleasant surprise!  

Overall Impression Capitol Reef is not a well-known park, but it's beauty is surprising.  Like most of southern Utah, the rocks are a brilliant red.  However, these rocks leave you feeling like you've just visited the Martian landscape. This is a great Park to explore if you want to avoid the inevitable crowds which surround more popular Parks.  I'd definitely like to spend more time here.

Our Weather The day was bright and hot, but not unpleasantly so

Favorite Spot View of The Castle from the Visitors Center

Minimum Time Required About 20 minutes.  The quickest way to see Capitol Reef is to drive right through on Highway 24.  There are many incredible rock formations like The Castle and good photo opportunities right off the road.  You'll be surprised at the dramatic change between red cliffs and the more mounded "slickrock" like Capitol Dome which occurs about halfway through the drive.   If you have a couple of extra minutes, stop at the visitors center and pick up a brochure to learn the history of the area.

A Longer Visit If we'd had more time, 1/2 to a full day, we would have taken the appropriately marked "scenic drive" off the main road.  We would also spend some time in Waterpocket Fold and explore the Temple of the Sun.  There are also some historic buildings and petroglyphs (prehistoric rock paintings) in the area.

Other Nearby Attractions Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Suggestions We wouldn't recommend planning a trip to Capitol Reef by itself.  However, it is strategically located on one of the most beautiful drives in America.  The best way to see Capitol Reef is to plan the scenic drive into your trip to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks.   If you're travelling from the east, take I-70 to Highway 24, drive through the park and take Highway 12 towards Bryce--you won't be disappointed!

Official NPS Website Capitol Reef NP

Photos Click on thumbnails to view larger image

The Castle as seen from the visitor center

Not all of Capitol Reef is rock, there's still a bit of greenery to go 'round

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