Torrey and Capitol Reef, Utah

•Location
•Operating Hours

Information courtesy of the National Park Service

The Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth's crust known as a monocline, extends from nearby Thousand Lakes Mountain to the Colorado River (now Lake Powell). Capitol Reef National Park was established to protect this grand and colorful geologic feature, as well as the unique historical and cultural history found in the area.

Visitation:

Approximately 706,000, primarily between April and October. Visitation is the highest April through June, September and October; lowest in January.

Location:

Capitol Reef, UT

Address:
Superintendent
Capitol Reef National Park
HC 70 Box 15
Torrey, Utah 84775

Telephone:
(435)425-3791

Operating Hours:

The park and campgrounds are open year round. The Visitor Center is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended hours during the summer season.

Climate:

Hot summers, cold winters. Mild spring and fall.

Transportation:

To Park: by personal vehicle or tour bus via Utah Hwy 24. Nearest commercial airports in Grand Junction, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah.

In Park: Personal vehicle, biking, hiking.

Directions:

The park is located in southcentral Utah. From Green River, Utah, take Hwy 24 west through Hanksville; from Richfield, take Hwy 24 east through the communities of Loa, Lyman, Bicknell and Torrey.

Fees:

The fee for entering the Scenic Drive is $5. There is no charge for the Scenic Drive for holders of Golden Eagle, Golden Age or Golden Access passes. Campsites in the 70 site Fruita Campground are $10 per night and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Group Campground, on a reservation basis, is $3 per person per night with a minimum charge of $50.

Facilities:

Visitor Center/Exhibits: Located at Utah Hwy 24, the Visitor Center has many exhibits, a slide show, and book sales.

Trails, Roads:The park is a haven for backcountry hiking. Many trails are available for people of all abilities and time constraints. Capitol Reef also has a number of scenic roadways, many of them unpaved, that can be taken to all corners of the park. Please contact the Visitor Center to ask about specific trails and/or roads.

Food/supplies:None inside the park. Convenience marts and grocery stores are located in Torrey, Bicknell, and Loa, west of the Visitor Center on Utah Hwy 24.

Activities/Park Use :

The park is always open, but Visitor Center hours vary with the season. Activities include: Auto tours, interpretive exhibits and programs, picnicking, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking on established roads, and rock climbing.

Reservations / Permits:
The park is always open, but Visitor Center hours vary with the season. Activities include: Auto tours, interpretive exhibits and programs, picnicking, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking on established roads, and rock climbing.

Basic Visit Recommendations:

Drive the Scenic Drive along the western edge of the Waterpocket Fold.
Hike to Hickman Bridge.
See the Petroglyphs.
Walk through the Historic Orchards of Fruita and pick fruit.
Visit the HistoricGifford Farmhouse.