Things to Know Before Visiting Capitol Reef National Park in Utah

Capitol Reef National Park is the least visited of the “Mighty Five” national parks in Utah, and is actually one of the least visited in the Lower 48. That said, it’s still a park that’s absolutely worth visiting. It’s another beautiful red-rock wonderland in the Beehive State. There are really unique arches and natural bridges, petroglyphs, canyons, and it’s set apart by the beautiful Fremont River that runs through canyon. This is a unique park with lots to explore. Check out what we think everyone needs to know before their first visit.

There is an Entry Fee That’s Expected to, and Should, Be Paid at The Visitor Center

Many people think that because there isn’t a pay booth there isn’t an entrance fee to be paid at Capitol Reef National Park. But, there is, and it’s expected to be paid at the visitor center. They checked our annual national park pass there, and told us to keep it handy because rangers sometimes check for receipts or passes while out and about in the park. The park fees are important to help keep our parks beautiful and protected, so definitely pay those fees! If you travel to multiple national parks and NPS-run sites, the annual park pass is definitely a good investment!

You Can Get Delicious Fruit Pies and Homemade Ice Cream There

Mormon Settlers planted orchards here in the 1800s, and keeping up with that long-standing tradition, pies made locally in Utah are sold at the Gifford Homestead house and they are delicious. We got a cherry pie and I really, really enjoyed it. They also have cups of homemade chocolate or vanilla ice cream. It’s a fun thing to make part of a national park visit.

Speaking of the Orchards, You Can Pick Fruit to Consume in the Park For Free

If you pick more than you eat there, you do have to pay a small fee for the fruit you take with you. But, you can eat the fruit that you pick for that time right there. How dreamy is that? So, check out the fruit season and maybe you’ll get to pick and eat pears, apples, cherries or peaches throughout the nineteen orchards located in this park. Ladders are even provided to pick fruit – please don’t climb the trees.

If You Want the Widest Selection of Pies, Get There Early

There are many pie-flavor options, and when we were there just before their lunch break on a Saturday in mid-June, we didn’t have any problem getting the pie we wanted, but I’ve heard that they can sell out. So, just maybe plan on making this your first stop. Also, the worker told me not to put my pie in the cooler, that it would make the crust soggy. He also said, to put it in the windshield just before a hike to warm up my pie for the perfect post-hike warmed pie. He was not wrong.

They Also Close for a Lunch Break

The Gifford House shop closes for a lunch break each day. So, if getting a pie is a priority for you, plan your hikes or other adventures around their daily lunch break.

Like the Other National Parks in Utah, It Can Get Extremely Hot Here and Shade can be Limited on Trails

Of course, this seems like a duh statement. But it is important to know. Lives are lost to heat stroke and dehydration. We saw so many people on hikes with no water or even wearing jeans in 100+ temps huddled under tiny pieces of shade. Be prepared with water, appropriate clothing and sun protection.

Parking is Super Limited at Trailheads

Because a lot of the trails are located inside this relatively narrow canyon, there is only so much space to park. If you’re in a bigger vehicle like us (we have a Chevy 2500) it can be difficult to find spots to park. Be patient and remember you’re all there to recreate and be kind to each other. 

Because of the Narrowness of this Canyon, Flash Floods Can Occur Here As Well

During Monsoon Season (which is July to September) downpours are a much more common occurrence. While this does cause flash flood potential, after those rains, there are also opportunities to see waterfalls around here after rainfall. Check weather reports at the visitor center ahead of time and should flash floods occur, get to higher ground, and remember that as little as a half inch of rain in an hour can cause a flash flood! Find more info on flash floods here.

While the Drive Through the Park is Pretty, the Prettier Views are Found Hiking

Granted, the 8-mile scenic drive was closed when we were there, but the truly stunning views that we saw were from the hiking trails, and we were only able to a few hikes, but even those had really big payoffs. 

Some Parts of the Park and Trails are Really Sandy

We experienced a lot of wind on the day we were there, and that kicked up a ton of sand. Definitely come prepared with sunglasses for everyone in your family. We didn’t have them for the kids so I spent a lot of time making sure that their little faces were turned away and covered. 

There is Only One Venomous Species of Snake in the Park 

The midget faded rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in the entirety of Capitol Reef National Park .They’re less than 2 feet long, are creamy tan in color with black splotches on their back. They’re most typically on the ground, but can be found in shrubs or bushes within the park. They are also considered to be common in the park, so keep an eye out for them. 

They Do Have a Junior Ranger Program

We’re huge fans of the Junior Ranger Program. So, when a park has a Junior Ranger Program we always see this as a huge plus within a park. I love their activity books and how much they allow us to teach the kids more about different aspects of each individual park from human history to the natural elements. You can read more about why we love the Junior Ranger Program here. 

Gear I’d Recommend for A Visit to Capitol Reef National Park

Proper Footwear: Okay, so I’ve always been a Merrell boot girl, and this spring I found the best Merrell hiking boots! They’re mid-height so you still get the ankle support – which I have always loved, but they’re also exceptionally lightweight. I’m obsessed. If wearing boots, I also cannot recommend these Merrell socks enough. If you’re not looking to wear boots, I love my Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals as well. I wore boots exclusively here, but if I had planned to get into the Fremont River, I would’ve done my Tevas more. My Merrells were just better for the sand – which the mid ankle was also nice for keeping excess sand out of my boots.
My Watch Obsession: For Mother’s Day this year, I got a Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Watch and to say that I am obsessed is a bit of an understatement. I’m not one to upgrade simply for the sake of upgrading, but my apple watch truly became not enough for me as I started to work out more and more. I’ll write a full, non-sponsored (although, Garmin, if you’re out there reading this, you’re welcome to sponsor me!) post on my love for it soon and when I do, I’ll link it here.
An AllTrails Subscription: On my most recent solo trip to Moab, I became obsessed with the premium subscription of AllTrails where I could download maps. It made me feel more confident and secure. Signup for AllTrails here

Day Pack: I have a daypack on every hike I go on. I like to be prepared for accidents and for things I require on hikes. Whether I’m hiking solo or my kids are with me. The Osprey Daylite is my favorite daypack I’ve ever had. It holds all my necessities, but is also small and lightweight.
What’s in My Pack? Water bottles are the first things that go in. I love these wide mouth Nalgene water bottles. They hold a good amount of water and the wide mouth on these make them easy to clean. I have added this steel gatorade bottle too for my side pocket. I like the straw function and I like to load this up with ice to try to have semi-cool water throughout hikes. I love to bring snacks like nuts, beef jerky tender bites and some sort of sweet – typically gummies. I also like to have a small journal, or notebook in case I want to take trail notes. If I’m in a national park, I of course, have the national park journal I authored. I also am sure to have sunglasses with me, a spare sunscreen stick and a jacket if I’m hiking later in the day. Lastly, a super basic first aid kit with neosporin, bandaids, moleskin and a couple alcohol wipes.

We left a lot of this park left to explore and we’re looking forward to having the time to do that in the near future! Capitol Reef is so special, so unique and waiting for anyone looking for an adventure to come and explore it!

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