Top Things to do in Capitol Reef National Park
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Top 10 Hiking Trails in Capitol Reef National Park, Capitol Reef National Park
Petroglyphs are easily viewed from your car in this park in Utah.
1. Halls Creek Narrows
2. Navajo Knobs Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By riverlovers
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! Rim overlook is gorgeous. Steady, gradual uphill to the knobs. Follow the cairns which are well placed and easy to follow. Would be very hot in summer, exposed sandstone for quite a ways. Keep a look out for big horn sheep. View from knobs is amazing , on a clear day,, u cdn see forever...but u don't have to scramble to top of knobs for great view. We did, at this time, rocks were very sturdy and fairly easy to climb. Perhaps not for the faint of heart! If one was short on time, rim overlook is fabulous on its own.
3. Sulphur Creek
4. The Hickman Bridge Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 392 reviews
A two-mile hike roundtrip leading to an arch.
Reviewed By TheGambianRPCV - Reynoldsburg, United States
This was one of the first hikes we accomplished with our eleven year old. There are some steep inclines, so proper footwear is a must. In addition, take too much water. If you think you have enough, take more. It gets hot but the end result is stunning and beautiful. We shared the site with a total of one other family. Fabulous. Great hike to get you going!
5. Goosenecks Overlook
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
A short hike with geological viewpoints and photo opportunities.
Reviewed By paulsY5534PS
If you are treading east from Torrey on hwy 24 as we were, you enter the park by the Twin Rocks (not as impressive as the twin rocks in Blanding UT) and the orientation pullout. Just up the road is chimney rock to the north and the paved parking lot fro Panarama Point, To get to the Goosenecks, keep left at the parking lot and follow the dirt road a mile up to the parking lot. I think the park service purposely leaves the vey first part rough washboards to discourage people from going up the road. It really is in dencet shape after the first 100 yards or so and easily passable by the lowest passenger car. Watch children as it is just a short walk up to the rim where the world drops away dramatically to Sulphur Creek about 1000 feet below. Compared to the crowds at the visitor center area and in the Grand Wash, we had the Goosenecks all to ourselves. The geologic term for this formation is entrenched meander. Other examples may be seen at Horsehoe Bend (Page, AZ) and Goosenecks State Park (Mexican Hat, UT). Another park trail starts here as well. The only drawback is the trail is dirt with rocks and roots so is not accessible and a hill blocks the view from the lot. I know park budgets never have enough, but it would be nice if they would make ithe trail graded and mutisurface so everyone could enjoy the view.
6. Sunset Point Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
A short trail with geological viewpoints and photo opportunities.
Reviewed By 949susannahw - Cleveland, United States
The red rocks at the top are amazing, especially to see how they are stacked together. They look like they could fall at any minute. The views from this overlook are breathtaking! Nice hike up from the parking lot...just .4 mile one way.
7. Cohab Canyon Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
A 1.75-mile hike leading to the campground and other trails.
Reviewed By papasn0w - Cottonwood Heights, United States
This is one of our favorite hikes in Capital Reef. If you have 2 vehicles its fun to hike from the parking lot at Hickman bridge (just cross the road) to the trail head in the park or vice versa. This is a fun hike for all ages-my 4 year old loves it. Don't miss the slot canyon-it's super cool.
8. The Frying Pan Trail
9. Grand Wash Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By TravelBoss79 - Salt Lake City, United States
If you stay in the Grand Wash, its an easy pretty flat hike. Great scenery, very similar to the Capitol Gorge area. If you head up the Cassidy Arch trail, it's much tougher!
10. Chimney Rock Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By G7071LWsusanr - New York, United States
Easy trail to walk with panoramic views. Not to be missed! My husband and I (72 and 64 respectively) paused a few times to catch our breath and we were fine. We walked the entire loop instead of coming down the same way we came up. Glad we did, the "backside" of Chimney Rock was stunning and put you right up to the base of the red rocks.
