Many park trails in Capitol Reef include steep climbs, but there are a few easy-to-moderate hikes. A short drive from the visitor center takes you to a dozen trails, and a park ranger can advise you on combining trails or locating additional routes.

Geology Behind the Park's Name

When water wears away layers of sandstone, basins can appear in the rock. These are called waterpockets. The 100-mi-long Waterpocket Fold—a massive rift in the Earth's crust, where geothermal pressure pushed one side 7,000 feet higher than the other—is full of these waterpockets. Early explorers with seafaring backgrounds called the fold a reef, since it was a barrier to travel. Some of the rocks, due to erosion, also have domelike formations resembling capitol rotundas.

Easy

Goosenecks Trail. This nice little walk gives you a good introduction to the land surrounding Capitol Reef, as well as dizzying views from the overlook. It's only 3/10 mi round-trip. Hwy. 24, about 3 mi west of the visitor center.

Grand Wash Trail. At the end of unpaved Grand Wash Road you can continue on foot through the canyon to its end at the Fremont River. This flat hike takes you through a wide wash between canyon walls. It's an excellent place to study the geology up close. The round-trip hike is 4½ mi; allow two to three hours for your walk. Check at the ranger station for flash-flood warnings before entering the wash. Hwy. 24, east of Hickman Bridge parking lot, or at end of Grand Wash Rd., off Scenic Dr. about 5 mi from visitor center.

Sunset Point Trail. The trail starts from the same parking lot as the Goosenecks Trail. Benches along this easy, 7/10-mi round-trip invite you to sit and meditate surrounded by the colorful desert. At the trail's end, you will be rewarded with broad vistas into the park; it's even better at sunset. Hwy. 24, about 3 mi west of visitor center.

Moderate

Capitol Gorge Trail and the Tanks. Starting at the Pioneer Register, about a mile from the Capitol Gorge parking lot, is a trail that climbs to the Tanks. After a scramble up about 2/10 mi of steep trail with cliff drop-offs, you can look down into the Tanks and can also see a natural bridge below the lower tank. Including the walk to the Pioneer Register, allow an hour or two for this interesting hike. At end of Scenic Dr., 9 mi south of visitor center.

Cohab Canyon Trail. Children particularly love this trail for the geological features and native creatures, such as rock wrens and Western pipistrelles (canyon bats), that you see along the way. One end of the trail is directly across from the Fruita Campground on Scenic Drive, and the other is across from the Hickman Bridge parking lot. The first ¼ mi from Fruita is pretty strenuous, but then the walk becomes easy except for turnoffs to the overlooks, which are strenuous but short. Along the way you'll find miniature arches, skinny side canyons, and honeycombed patterns on canyon walls where the wrens make nests. The trail is 3 2/10 mi round-trip to the Hickman Bridge parking lot. The Overlook Trail adds 2 mi to the journey. Allow one to two hours to overlooks and back; allow two to three hours to Hickman Bridge parking lot and back. About 1 mi south of visitor center on Scenic Dr., or about 2 mi east of visitor center on Hwy. 24.

Fremont River Trail. What starts as a quiet little stroll beside the river turns into an adventure. The first ½ mi of the trail is wheelchair accessible as you wander past the orchards next to the Fremont River. After you pass through a narrow gate, the trail changes personality and you're in for a steep climb on an exposed ledge with drop-offs. The views at the top of the 770-foot ascent are worth it as you look down into the Fruita Historic District. The trail is 2½ mi round-trip; allow two hours. Near amphitheater off Loop C of Fruita Campground, about 1 mi from visitor center.

Golden Throne Trail. As you hike to the base of the Golden Throne, you may be fortunate enough to see one of the park's elusive desert bighorn sheep. You're more likely, however, to spot their small, split-hoof tracks in the sand. The trail itself is 2 mi of gradual elevation gain with some steps and drop-offs. The Golden Throne is hidden until you near the end of the trail, then suddenly you find yourself looking at a huge sandstone monolith. If you hike near sundown the throne burns gold, salmon, and platinum. The round-trip hike is 4 mi and you should allow two to three hours. At end of Capitol Gorge Rd., at Capitol Gorge trailhead, 9 mi south of visitor center.

Hickman Bridge Trail. This trail is a perfect introduction to the park. It leads to a natural bridge of Kayenta sandstone, which has a 135-foot opening carved by intermittent flash floods. Early on, the route climbs a set of steps along the Fremont River, and as the trail tops out onto a bench, you'll find a slight depression in the earth. This is what remains of an ancient Fremont pit house, a kind of home that was dug into the ground and covered with brush. The trail splits, leading along the right-hand branch to a strenuous uphill climb to the Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs. Stay to your left to see the bridge, and you'll encounter a moderate up-and-down trail. As you continue up the wash on your way to the bridge, you'll notice a Fremont granary on the right side of the small canyon. Allow about 1½ hours to walk the 2-mi round-trip. The walk to the bridge is one of the most popular trails in the park, so expect lots of company along the way. Hwy. 24, 2 mi east of visitor center.

Difficult

Chimney Rock Trail. You're almost sure to see ravens drifting on thermal winds around the deep red Mummy Cliff that rings the base of this trail. This loop trail begins with a steep climb to a rim above Chimney Rock. The trail is 3½ mi round-trip, with a 600-foot elevation change. Allow three to four hours. Hwy. 24, about 3 mi west of visitor center.