Of the Beehive State’s five national parks, Capitol Reef National Park is the park with the fewest visitors. We’re not sure why this park gets so much less love than the others, but it certainly deserves your attention. When you are searching for the best national park to visit in Utah, this park must be high on your list. Here are just nine reasons why you’ll fall in love with this under-appreciated national park in the Beehive State.
- Capitol Reef National Park gets just one-fourth as many visitors as Utah’s most popular park, which means fewer tourists to share your space with.
rjcox/flickr Zion National Park had 5.04 million visitors in 2021, the most visitors of all of Utah’s national parks. With just 1.4 million visitors in 2021, Capitol Reef is the least appreciated of all our national parks.
- You can find solitude here.
Edwin van Buuringen/flickr Some parts of the park are remote and have very few visitors, making it possible to truly find solitude here.
- Some of the park’s history is ancient.
Robert Shea/flickr The Fremont People left petroglyphs in several places in the park, dating back from AD 600 to 1300.
- There’s plenty of more recent history, too.
Michael/flickr The Fruita Rural Historic District preserves some of the park’s more recent history. Mormon pioneers settled in this area in the mid-1800s and planted tons of fruit trees.
- The hiking at Capitol Reef is amazing.
dconvertini/flickr You’ll find 15 day hikes, ranging in length from 0.25 miles to more than 10 miles. Some are super easy, others are strenuous, but all of them take you to amazing places.
- You don’t need a special pass to worship at these temples.
Robert Shea/flickr The Temples of the Sun, Moon, and Stars are majestic entrada sandstone monoliths that tower above the valley floor. They’re 160 million years old!
- The park is perfectly picturesque.
faungg’s photos/flickr Capitol Reef has many of the same features that draw visitors to our other national parks — the vast, open skies, magnificent rock formations, and stunning beauty — but without the crowds. Don’t forget your camera!
- During the “Golden Hour,” as the sun sets, the rich colors at this park are simply amazing.
Alexmerwin13/flickr The sunsets alone are plenty of reason to stick around.
- After the sun sets, the park gets even better.
Capitol Reef National Park Capitol Reef National Park has been designated as a gold-tier International Dark Skies Park, which means that the light pollution is so low here that you can clearly see millions of stars.
What national park do you plan to visit in Utah? Have you visited Capitol Reef National Park lately? If so, tell us all about it in the comments! If you need help planning your trip to this incredible national park, visit the National Park Service website.
rjcox/flickr
Zion National Park had 5.04 million visitors in 2021, the most visitors of all of Utah’s national parks. With just 1.4 million visitors in 2021, Capitol Reef is the least appreciated of all our national parks.
Edwin van Buuringen/flickr
Some parts of the park are remote and have very few visitors, making it possible to truly find solitude here.
Robert Shea/flickr
The Fremont People left petroglyphs in several places in the park, dating back from AD 600 to 1300.
Michael/flickr
The Fruita Rural Historic District preserves some of the park’s more recent history. Mormon pioneers settled in this area in the mid-1800s and planted tons of fruit trees.
dconvertini/flickr
You’ll find 15 day hikes, ranging in length from 0.25 miles to more than 10 miles. Some are super easy, others are strenuous, but all of them take you to amazing places.
The Temples of the Sun, Moon, and Stars are majestic entrada sandstone monoliths that tower above the valley floor. They’re 160 million years old!
faungg’s photos/flickr
Capitol Reef has many of the same features that draw visitors to our other national parks — the vast, open skies, magnificent rock formations, and stunning beauty — but without the crowds. Don’t forget your camera!
Alexmerwin13/flickr
The sunsets alone are plenty of reason to stick around.
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park has been designated as a gold-tier International Dark Skies Park, which means that the light pollution is so low here that you can clearly see millions of stars.
Outside of Capitol Reef is the small town of Torrey, which is the perfect staycation destination. Here are just a few reasons you should make plans to stay in this charming small town in Utah.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Capitol Reef, Utah, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park To Visit in Utah March 22, 2022 Courtnie Erickson What are some of the best hiking trails in Utah? When it comes to exploring the best hiking trails in Utah, there are hundreds to choose from. Hiking and exploring the Beehive State on your own two feet is one of the best things to do outside in Utah and a great way to enjoy the state’s majestic scenery. In southern Utah, one of our favorite hiking trails is the Wire Pass Trail. This unique hiking trail takes you through a family-friendly slot canyon that is absolutely breathtaking. The trail is only 3.7 miles, and no technical gear is needed. However, as with all slot canyons, if there has been any rain in the past 24 hours or a chance of rain, this trail can become quite dangerous and should be avoided. What are some of the best things to do outside in Utah? If you are looking for something unique to do outside in Utah, head to one of the best state parks in Utah — Dead Horse Point. Here, you will not only find desert landscapes, campgrounds, and hiking trails, but you will also find one of the most photographed overlooks in the entire world. The Dead Horse Point Overlook gives you unforgettable views of the desert, buttes, mesas, and the Colorado River, which sits approximately 2,000 feet below you. This is easily one of the best parks in Utah to visit any time of the year.
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park To Visit in Utah
March 22, 2022
Courtnie Erickson
What are some of the best hiking trails in Utah? When it comes to exploring the best hiking trails in Utah, there are hundreds to choose from. Hiking and exploring the Beehive State on your own two feet is one of the best things to do outside in Utah and a great way to enjoy the state’s majestic scenery. In southern Utah, one of our favorite hiking trails is the Wire Pass Trail. This unique hiking trail takes you through a family-friendly slot canyon that is absolutely breathtaking. The trail is only 3.7 miles, and no technical gear is needed. However, as with all slot canyons, if there has been any rain in the past 24 hours or a chance of rain, this trail can become quite dangerous and should be avoided. What are some of the best things to do outside in Utah? If you are looking for something unique to do outside in Utah, head to one of the best state parks in Utah — Dead Horse Point. Here, you will not only find desert landscapes, campgrounds, and hiking trails, but you will also find one of the most photographed overlooks in the entire world. The Dead Horse Point Overlook gives you unforgettable views of the desert, buttes, mesas, and the Colorado River, which sits approximately 2,000 feet below you. This is easily one of the best parks in Utah to visit any time of the year.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
When it comes to exploring the best hiking trails in Utah, there are hundreds to choose from. Hiking and exploring the Beehive State on your own two feet is one of the best things to do outside in Utah and a great way to enjoy the state’s majestic scenery. In southern Utah, one of our favorite hiking trails is the Wire Pass Trail. This unique hiking trail takes you through a family-friendly slot canyon that is absolutely breathtaking. The trail is only 3.7 miles, and no technical gear is needed. However, as with all slot canyons, if there has been any rain in the past 24 hours or a chance of rain, this trail can become quite dangerous and should be avoided.
What are some of the best things to do outside in Utah?
If you are looking for something unique to do outside in Utah, head to one of the best state parks in Utah — Dead Horse Point. Here, you will not only find desert landscapes, campgrounds, and hiking trails, but you will also find one of the most photographed overlooks in the entire world. The Dead Horse Point Overlook gives you unforgettable views of the desert, buttes, mesas, and the Colorado River, which sits approximately 2,000 feet below you. This is easily one of the best parks in Utah to visit any time of the year.
