Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary: Spend 1-4 Days in the Park

Last updated on February 24th, 2026

Southern Utah is full of endless beautiful nature, hikes, and otherworldly scenery. And one of the region’s best gems is Capitol Reef National Park! Curious how to plan the best trip to Capitol Reef National Park and see all of the best sites? This Capitol Reef National Park itinerary has you covered, whether you have one day or four days to spend in the park!

These different Capitol Reef National Park itinerary options include hikes doable for almost anyone, as well as more strenuous itineraries, which will include a mix of easier and more difficult hikes.

Want to Learn More as you explore?

We highly suggest downloading the Guide Along – Capitol Reef or the Utah Bundle (totally worth the cost!!) audio tours to navigate you on the road. Even when you don’t have service it knows where you are and provides commentary and history about the area. As well as alerts you when to stop for specific sights. These guides are fun to listen to and the narrator feels like a fun friend in the car with you!

One Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary – Option 1 (Easier Hikes)

Watch the sunrise at Cassidy Arch

Start off your Capitol Reef National Park itinerary by waking up bright and early to hike to Cassidy Arch for sunrise. Cassidy Arch Trail is hands down one of the best hikes in Capitol Reef. The trail is easy to navigate in the dark (bring a headlamp though!), so you can make it to the arch by sunrise.

What makes Cassidy Arch unique is that it is a huge natural arch that you can walk on top of! Watching the sunrise here, with the glow of the orange rock all around you, is truly the best way to kick off one day in Capitol Reef National Park.

Visit the Fruita Historic District 

After sunrise, spend some time at the Fruita Historic District. This is the most popular area of the park that is filled with history, hikes, and pie! Yes, fresh delicious pie! Below are a handful of must-dos in the Fruita Historic District.

Eat pie at the Gifford Homestead

See the Fruita Schoolhouse

While in the area check out the Fruita Schoolhouse. This historic schoolhouse was used from 1896-1941, with the first teacher being a 12 year old! It is really neat to see this historic building, which is still set up as a classroom.

Pick fruit in the orchards

Visiting Capitol Reef National Park in the summer months? Pick some fruit in the orchards! This is a fun activity unlike any other National Park. You can see the different rules, hours, the orchard map, and timing for the varieties of fruits here.

Even if you visit outside of the harvest season, you can still walk around some of the orchards. And your furry friends can join you too!

Hike the Cohab Canyon Trail

Head back towards the Gifford Homestead and hike Cohab Canyon to see Fruita from above. It’s a moderate 3 mile trail that allows you to get some great views of the area without doing a super strenuous hike. The beginning is steep but the rest is easy and short. It also takes you through multiple slot canyons along the way!

See Hickman Bridge

Cross the highway at the end of Cohab Canyon to hike Hickman Bridge (you can also drive to this trailhead) and then make your way back to Fruita on the Cohab Canyon Trail. This spot is one of the most iconic attractions in the park, so you definitely need to make the 1.7 mile hike to see it!

Get dinner in Torrey

Enjoy dinner in town at Capitol Burger (amazing burgers), Chak Balam (Mexican food), Hunt & Gather (A higher end spot, open Wednesdays-Sundays for dinner) or Curry Pizza (Unique pizzas with an Indian twist that have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!).

Watch the Sunset

Head to Gooseneck & Sunset Point for sunset to close out your perfect one day Capitol Reef National Park itinerary. Be sure to park at the lot closer to the overlooks and then you’ll only have to walk about 0.5 miles to get there! It’s a dirt road, but doable in any vehicle. Parking is a tad limited though, so make sure to give yourself time to wait for a spot, if needed.

One Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary – Option 2 (Harder Hikes)

Watch the sunrise at Cassidy Arch

Kick off your one day in Capitol Reef National Park by hiking the Cassidy Arch Trail for sunrise. This is one of our must-do hikes in the park and makes for a great spot to watch the park’s canyon walls illuminate with the morning light. We found this trail to be easy to hike in the dark, but make sure to bring a headlamp!

Explore the Grand Wash 

After finishing Cassidy Arch, stroll through part of the Grand Wash, making it to the Narrows (1.5 miles in). This trail shares a trailhead with Cassidy Arch, making it super easy to combine together!

Pick fruit in the orchards

Visiting Capitol Reef National Park in the summer months? Pick some fruit in the orchards! This is a fun activity unlike any other National Park. You can see the different rules, hours, the orchard map, and timing for the varieties of fruits here.

Even if you visit outside of the harvest season, you can still walk around some of the orchards. And your furry friends can join you too!

Hike to the Hickman Bridge + Rim Overlook

For the rest of the day, hike to Hickman Bridge, a large natural bridge that you can walk under. And afterwards, continue on to the Rim Overlook, which offers amazing views of the park (with less people than the bridge). 

If you are feeling extra ambitious and have enough time, you could try to hike to Navajo Knobs as well. But we’d make sure you have at least 6 hours to do the Hickman Bridge to Navajo Knobs and back!

Get Dinner in Torrey

Enjoy dinner in town at Capitol Burger (amazing burgers), Chak Balam (Mexican food), Hunt & Gather (A higher end spot, open Wednesdays-Sundays for dinner) or Curry Pizza (Unique pizzas with an Indian twist that have been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives!).

Any of these spots are delicious options, so fuel up after a long day or exploring Capitol Reef National Park!

Watch the Sunset

If you have time, head to Gooseneck & Sunset Point for sunset to close out a perfect one day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary. Be sure to park at the lot closer to the overlooks and then you’ll only have to walk about 0.5 miles to get there.

Two Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary – Option 1 (Easier Hikes)

Choose a fun hike for the morning

Depending on how much adventure you’re looking for, spend the rest of the morning hiking to Sulphur Creek or do the Chimney Rock Loop.

Sulphur Creek Trail is a 5.8 one way hike through a canyon. There’s waterfalls and streams to cross and it is a really fun adventure. But you’ll need to plan a way to get back to your car afterwards.

Chimney Rock Loop Trail is a shorter, 3.3 mile loop trail with a bit more elevation gain. But once you finish the steep section in the beginning, it’s mostly downhill the rest of the way.

See the Petroglyph Panel

Make a quick stop at the Petroglyph Panel. It’s located just 1.5 miles from the visitor center drive on Highway 24. This short boardwalk trail takes you to see a panel of petroglyphs left by the Fremont and ancient Puebloan peoples.

Drive to Capitol Gorge

Drive the scenic drive down to Capitol Gorge and hike the Capitol Gorge trail! This 4.5 mile trail takes you through huge canyon walls and has petroglyphs and the Pioneer Register. And the drive to get there is stunning! We loved just driving out to the trailhead with how incredible the experience was to drive between the massive canyon walls. But, the parking can be slim, so be prepared to wait to get a spot here!

Enjoy dinner in Torrey

Swing into Torrey for dinner and choose one of the spots you have yet to experience!

Two Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary – Option 2 (Harder Hikes)

Day 1

Watch the sunrise at Cassidy Arch

Start your two days in Capitol Reef National Park by hiking the Cassidy Arch Trail for sunrise. We loved not only getting to walk ON the arch (yes, you read that right!), but also seeing the canyon walls glow pink and orange as the sun rose.

Explore the Grand Wash 

After finishing Cassidy Arch, stroll through part of the Grand Wash, making it to the Narrows (1.5 miles in). This trail shares a trailhead with Cassidy Arch, making it super easy to combine together!

Visit the Fruita Historic District

Spend some time at the Fruita Historic District, a beautiful valley filled with orchards, historic buildings, and delicious treats! Below are some of our top suggestions for this area of the park!

Eat Pie at the Gifford Homestead

Make sure to get pie at the Gifford Homestead. They can sell out of flavors, plus their famous cinnamon rolls. So arrive early!

And while here, make sure to snap a photo of the beautiful Fruita Barn!

See the Fruita Schoolhouse

While in the area, visit the Fruita Schoolhouse. This historic schoolhouse was used from 1896-1941 and it is really neat to see this historic building, which is still set up as a classroom.

Pick fruit in the orchards

Visiting Capitol Reef National Park in the summer months? Pick some fruit in the orchards! This is a fun activity unlike any other National Park. You can see the different rules, hours, the orchard map, and timing for the varieties of fruits here.

Even if you visit outside of the harvest season, you can still walk around some of the orchards. And your furry friends can join you too!

Hike the Cohab Canyon Trail

Head back towards the Gifford Homestead and hike Cohab Canyon to see Fruita from above. It’s a moderate 3 mile trail that allows you to get some great views of the area without doing a super strenuous hike. The beginning is steep but the rest is easy and short. It also takes you through multiple slot canyons along the way!

Drive to Capitol Gorge

If you still have time, drive the scenic drive down to Capitol Gorge and hike the Capitol Gorge trail! 

This 4.5 mile trail takes you through huge canyon walls and has petroglyphs and the Pioneer Register. And the drive to get there is stunning! So even if you only have time for the drive, we recommend still making the trek out here. But keep in mind that the parking can be slim, so be prepared to wait to get a spot here!

Get Dinner in Torrey

Grab dinner in Torrey at one of the spots we mentioned above!

Watch the Sunset

If you have enough time, head to Gooseneck & Sunset Point for sunset! If you park at the lot closer to the overlooks, then you’ll only have to walk about 0.5 miles to get there. The road to get there is dirt, but doable in any vehicle.

Day 2

Hike Hickman Bridge to Navajo Knobs

Today is a big day for hiking, so you’ll want to get an early start! You’ll be tackling the Hickman Bridge Trail, past the Rim Overlook, all the way to Navajo Knobs. 

This hike will be over 9 miles and include over 2,000 feet of elevation gain. So it will be a LONG day. But it is SO worth it! We’d make sure you have at least 6 hours to do this hike, which leaves room to enjoy the spots along the way. And don’t forget to pack plenty of water and food!

What we loved about this hike was the wide mix of scenery we got to see. From the Hickman Bridge, to sweeping views of Fruita, to unique rock formations by Navajo Knobs. Even if you cannot do the entire hike, we suggest going as far as you can. Plus, we saw WAY less people at the Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs than anywhere else in the park!

See the Petroglyph Panel

On your way into town, make a quick stop at the Petroglyph Panel. It’s located just 1.5 miles from the visitor center drive on Highway 24. This short boardwalk trail takes you to see a panel of petroglyphs left by the Fremont and ancient Puebloan peoples.

Get Dinner in Torrey

Head back into Torrey for the evening for dinner! We’ve listed a handful of spots above.

Two Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary- Option 3 (Hikes & Scenic Drives)

For this two day itinerary, you’ll mix a hiking day with a scenic drive day. Choose whichever one day itinerary sounds the best to you and then for day two, either drive the Cathedral Valley Loop or Loop-The-Fold in the Waterpocket District. 

Both drives are mostly unpaved, with Cathedral Valley requiring high clearance and 4×4 or AWD to safely navigate it. Make sure to check the weather forecast in advance and chat with rangers in the Visitor Center (or call 435-425-3791 for current conditions) before tackling either drive. And before hitting the road, ensure you’re fueled up, plus have plenty of water and food.

Since our van does not have 4×4 or AWD, we opted to bike part of the road, which was a doozy!

Three Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary

For a three day Capitol Reef National Park itinerary, pick the two day itinerary of your choice and for day three, either drive the Cathedral Valley Loop or Loop-The-Fold in the Waterpocket District. 

Four Day Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary

For a four day Capitol Reef National Park itinerary, pick the two day itinerary of your choice and for days three and four, drive the Cathedral Valley Loop (one day) and Loop-The-Fold in the Waterpocket District (an additional day).

Capitol Reef National Park tips and information

When to visit Capitol Reef National Park

Along with the rest of the Southern Utah National Parks, the best time to visit are the shoulder seasons. This means April–May or September–October. This is when the park will be less busy, and offer gorgeous weather. But Capitol Reef National Park has one other important thing to consider when deciding when to go.

Capitol Reef National Park and its campgrounds are open 365 days a year, but the Gifford Homestead Store and Museum, which has delicious pies, is only open from March 14 (Pi Day) to October 31. We recommend visiting during this time frame so you can get the full park experience!

One perk of visiting in the summer and fall is that not only will you be able to eat pie, you’ll also be able to pick your own fruit! We think this would be such a fun and unique National Park experience! You can see the different fruit harvesting times here to plan your trip around your favorite.

Getting to and around Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is in the town of Torrey, Utah, in the southern part of the state. It will take 3 hours and 45 minutes to get here from Salt Lake City if you plan on flying in. It’s located halfway between Bryce Canyon and the town of Moab. Although this park is a little more remote and further away than the other Utah parks, it is perfect to combine with the others for the ultimate Mighty Five road trip.

Getting around Capitol Reef is also not super easy, so you will need a car. Which you needed to get here anyways so that probably won’t be a problem. There is not a park shuttle at Capitol Reef. Fruita itself is pretty compact and walkable. It has a campground, the Gifford Homestead, and a handful of trails easily accessible in a small area. You could camp in the park and walk or bike to a few activities, but to get to many of the popular spots, you will need to drive.

Cost to visit Capitol Reef

It costs $20 per vehicle to enter Capitol Reef National Park. Unlike most national parks, there is not an official entrance station with a ranger that takes the fee. There is just a stand where you pay, but you can also get a digital pass in advance or buy a pass in the Visitor Center.

Where to stay in Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is home to one developed campground and two primitive campgrounds, with an option in each area of the park. While there is not a park lodge, the town of Torrey is just minutes from the park. 

While it’s a small town and not as developed as the areas around Zion, Canyonlands, and Arches, it still has a variety of lodging options for any preference. It’s a great home base to explore all areas of the park!

For more information about where to stay including hotel options, vacation rentals, dispersed camping, be sure to read our detailed guide about visiting Capitol Reef. And for our ultimate list of the best campsites in Utah, visit our sister site Stoked to Camp!

What to bring to Capitol Reef National Park

First and foremost, we always recommend that you pack the 10 essentials. You can see all of our hiking gear here, but a few key items that are important to have on the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park are hiking shoes, layers, sunscreen, plenty of water, snacks, and AllTrails maps! 

We highly recommend the AllTrails+ membership so you can download the map. There’s not usually great service on the trails!

Want to get 30% off an AllTrails Plus membership? Use our code aplusk30 (you must redeem this code on the website, not the app)!

We use AllTrails Plus on every single hike and it is the most helpful hiking tool out there! Some of the features we love are offline maps (so we can navigate even without cell service), wrong-turn alerts, and its 3D maps feature, so we can get a feel for trails before we hike.

Save this guide for the best Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary

About the Author

This article was written by Tori, one of our Adventures of A+K team members. Learn a bit about her below!

Hi, I’m Tori! I live in Nashville, TN with my husband and two daughters. We travel as much as possible throughout the year, around a 9-5 schedule and with babies in tow! My travel blog, Tori Pines Travels, aims to help people plan action-packed and culture-rich vacations around their busy jobs, fitting in as much exploring as possible. When I’m not working for Adam and Kathryn or entertaining my little ones, I’m writing, cooking, crafting or exploring Music City!