Top Reasons to Go to Capitol Reef National Park

The Waterpocket Fold: See an excellent example of a monocline—a fold in the earth's crust with one very steep side in an area that is otherwise horizontal. This one's almost 100 mi long.

No crowds: Experience the best of southern Utah weather, rock formations, and wide-open spaces without the crowds of nearby parks such as Zion and Bryce Canyon.

Fresh fruit: Pick apples, pears, apricots, and peaches in season at the pioneer-planted orchards at historic Fruita. These trees still produce plenty of fruit.

Rock art: View ancient pictographs and petroglyphs left by the Fremont people, who lived in this area from AD 700 to 1300.

Pioneer artifacts: Buy faithfully reproduced tools and utensils like those used by Mormon pioneers, at the Gifford Farmhouse.