Why is Capitol Reef called a reef? What travelers should know about the national park.
Eve ChenWith a name like Capitol Reef, you might expect to find this national park near the ocean. Instead, this gem lies in a sea of rock in Utah.
“Early settlers noted that the white domes of Navajo Sandstone resemble the dome of the Capitol building in Washington, DC,” Capitol Reef explains on its website. The reef part comes from the Waterpocket Fold, an 87-mile monocline within the park, which impeded travel like coral reefs in the ocean. The park’s Chief of Interpretation, Shauna Cotrell, likened it to a wrinkle in the earth's crust and noted the Waterpocket Fold is the largest exposed monocline in North America.
Here’s what else travelers should know about Capitol Reef, the latest national park in USA TODAY’s yearlong series:
What is unique about Capitol Reef National Park?
“The (park’s) diverse geology creates multiple life zones which support over 1,200 plant and animal species,” Cotrell said. Not all of them are wild.
Capitol Reef visitors will find well-kept orchards in the park’s Fruita Rural Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The orchards were originally planted by Mormon pioneers. Today, park staff use heritage techniques to care for the roughly 1,900 trees bearing cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, pears, apples, plums, mulberries, quinces, almonds, pecans and walnuts, according to the park. Staff are also planting new trees as part of a rehabilitation project going through 2025.
Visitors are welcome to stroll through any unlocked orchard and may be surprised to learn they may pick the fruit. Sampling is free, but visitors must pay for fruit they take away.
Fun fact: There are 19 geologic formations and 19 historic orchards in the park, according to Cotrell.
Can you hike at Capitol Reef?
Capitol Reef’s website describes the park as “a hiker’s dream.”
Day hikers can explore 15 trails of various intensities. There are also myriad backcountry routes “into narrow, twisting gorges, slot canyons, and to spectacular viewpoints,” according to the park.
What town is closest to Capitol Reef?
The nearest town is Torrey, Utah. Grand Junction Regional Airport is the nearest airport, though it’s nearly three hours away by car. Salt Lake City International Airport is about three and a half hours away and offers a wider selection of flights and airlines.
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When should I visit Capitol Reef?
“March to June and September to October are popular times to visit Capitol Reef, and for good reason,” according to the park’s website. “The weather is often ideal for hiking and backpacking, with less chance of snow or dangerous monsoon rains.”
Visitors are still urged to check weather and road conditions, at any time of year.
How long should you spend in Capitol Reef National Park?
Visitors can spend days at Capitol Reef, but Cotrell said most spend a half to a full day there.
“That usually allows time to drive the Scenic Drive, explore the Fruita Rural Historic District, attend a ranger program, and perhaps go for a hike or two,” she said. “The Fruita Area Map and Guide has suggestions for a half day and whole day.”
Do you have to pay to drive through Capitol Reef National Park?
Entrance passes are required for all visitors. They cost $20 for private cars, $15 for motorcycles and $10 for cyclists, pedestrians and others arriving without a car.
How long is the drive through Capitol Reef?
The Scenic Drive is just shy of 8 miles long and paved, unlike some other roads in the park.
Visitors can listen to a self-guided audio tour of the popular route on the National Park Service’s app.
Who are the Native people of Capitol Reef?
Visitors may notice petroglyphs along Highway 24 and the Capitol Gorge Trail. According to the park, they were created by Fremont Culture Indians between 700 to 1,000 years ago.
More than 30 Native tribes have ties to the land:
- Jicarilla Apache Nation
- Skull Valley Band of Goshute Indians of Utah
- Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians
- Las Vegas Tribe of Paiute Indians
- Moapa Band of Paiute Indians
- San Juan Southern Paiute Tribe of Arizona
- Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah
- Pueblo of Acoma
- Pueblo of Cochiti
- Hopi Tribe
- Navajo Nation
- Pueblo of Isleta
- Pueblo of Jemez
- Kewa Pueblo
- Pueblo of Laguna
- Pueblo of Nambe
- Ohkay Owingeh
- Pueblo of Picuris
- Pueblo of Pojoaque
- Pueblo of Sandia
- Pueblo of San Ildefonso
- Pueblo of Santa Ana
- Pueblo of Santa Clara
- Pueblo of Taos
- Pueblo of Tesuque
- Pueblo of Zia
- Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation
- Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation
- Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation
- Ute Mountain Tribe of the Ute Mountain Reservation
- Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation