For a myriad of reasons, Capitol Reef National Park in Utah is one of my favorite parks in the American Southwest to visit and explore during the fall season. Its not as big or famous as some of its sibling parks in the four corners area like Grand Canyon, Zion, Canyonlands, or Bryce, but it still packs a big visual and unforgettable atmospheric punch. In addition there are certainly no shortage of fun things to do when exploring this park. See Capitol Reef images below…

In no particular order, I will start off with some of my top reasons why I love this park and area in General:

· Not too Crowded: Although the spring and summer can be busy at Capitol Reef, when fall arrives its generally not nearly as busy as some of bigger parks in Utah and the 4 corners area. Its even possible by November 1st to get a campsite at the beautiful and shaded Fruita campground without a reservation.

· Outstanding Fall Colors: In particular, the Fruita Historic district and nearby Fruita campground put on quite a show curtesy of abundant Fremont cottonwood trees that thrive there. See images below.

· Photography Opportunities: The park and the surrounding red rock landscape is filled with abundant, diverse, vibrant, and stunning high contrast geological subjects. In addition, there are also many beautiful historical buildings that highlight the rugged pioneer days of this remote area that make excellent photographic subjects. See images below…

· Nearby Town: Although Capitol Reef Park does not have as many amenities as the bigger parks like restaurants, etc., the charming little town of Torrey is approximately 15 minutes from the main entrance and it has a convenience store with gas, a general store, multiple good restaurants, and a variety of lodging opportunities.

· Fly-fishing Opportunities: Although a lot of the nearby Fremont River that is cold enough to support trout is located on private property, there are a few not heavily advertised public stretches that can offer excellent fishing for Brown & Rainbow trout. In addition, the high elevation and fairly nearby Boulder Mountain is studded with dozens of lakes and ponds that hold trout. This includes some monster size trout. Feel free to contact me if you have fly-fishing questions.

· The Scenic Drive: I live in Arizona. So when I drive up North to Capitol Reef park to visit I always take the scenic highway 12 route which goes directly by Bryce Canyon park, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and then over the mighty Boulder Mountain which drops into the cool little town of Torrey, Utah. This crazy beautiful drive alone is worth making a visit to Capitol Reef Park in my opinion.

Again, in no particular order, here's a list of a few of my top thaings to do when visiting Capitol Reef National Park:

Great Drives:

Take the scenic drive along Highway 24 through the park, passing by stunning landscapes and viewpoints such as Panorama Point and Sunset Point. Its particularly beautiful in the fall heading when heading East on highway 24 from the Visitor center towards Hankesville. The canyon here is narrower and it follows the Fremont river which is lined with Cottonwood trees which turn a brilliant gold color during fall- see images below
Drive the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive for a closer look at geological formations like the Waterpocket Fold and much more

Hiking:

Hickman Bridge Trail: There are many great hikes in the park and its one of the most popular activities to do when visiting. Hickman Bridge just happens to be one of my favorite hikes. It’s a fairly moderate hike with good views and it leads to a cool natural bridge formation. Its a great fall hike too with Cottonwood trees along the Fremont river. See images below

The Fruita Historic District:

Check out the Fruita Historic District to explore orchards, the Gifford House Museum (offering baked goods and souvenirs), and other historic structures like the very famous Horse barn which is currently undergoing some restoration work.
The park also allows the picking of fresh fruit in season (cherries, apricots, apples, etc.) in several established orchards.
Picnic in the beautiful open grassy meadows in the Fruita district where Sulphur creek flows. There are plenty of picnic tables and some massive old growth cottonwood trees. Mule deer are abundant in this part of the park.

Scenic Overlooks That I Recommend Visiting:

Panorama Point: Offers stunning panoramic views of the park.
Sunset Point: Great for sunset views over the geological Waterpocket Fold.
Goosenecks Overlook: You can Sulphur Creek meandering through the canyons.

Fremont Petroglyphs:

Check out the ancient petroglyphs at spots like Petroglyph Pullout with its boardwalk trail. This is a beautiful spot and is ideal for all ages. See images below

Remember to check the weather conditions, especially during summer when temperatures can be extreme, and always carry plenty of water, sun protection, and essential supplies while exploring the park. Additionally, some activities may require permits or reservations, so it's a good idea to check in advance or head to the visitor center at the park entrance.

Camping Notes: Camping at the Fruita campground during the Spring and Summer will require reservations and I’m told they get booked very fast. Keep in mind there also many free “dispersed” camping spots on BLM land in the immediate area particularly along highway 24 between Torrey and the park entrance.

Please contact me if you have any special request, questions, or want to purchase a Capitol Reef photo or footage that is not linked. All images & video footage are copyrighted!~