For those that normally hike or climb mountains, the trails and routes of Capitol Reef have a different character. The Park service has done a good job of marking the trails with cairns, but route finding ability is still recommended, as the cairns may get sparse. It is easy to lose your way if you’re not paying attention. The maze-like nature of this landscape cannot be emphasized enough.

The routes included below can be found in most guide sources, so a brief overview and description provided here is sufficient enough for you to enjoy your outing and perhaps relish a bit of route finding adventure for yourself. Three other attached routes offer more of a challenge. Not all routes available in Capitol Reef are currently described on SP.

This page is broken down into two segments: Capitol Reef North and Central Districts. The very remote South District will likely be included at a later date, however one of the more challenging hikes posted on SP is set in the South District.

Capitol Reef Central District

OVERVIEW
This is the most popular area of the Park, and for good reason. These hikes take you places that will amaze and baffle you. The power of erosion has done some wild and wonderful things at Capitol Reef. All of the hikes below are recommended!

CHIMNEY ROCK TRAIL
Approximately 2 miles west on Highway 24 from the Visitor’s Center, exit the north side of the road and park in a circular area with a pit toilet facility. The hike is on a well worn trail and marked with cairns during the latter half of the loop. Some folks turn around at the Chimney Rock overlook, but it’s worth your time to execute the entire 3.5 mile loop, which descends down a draw full of interesting rock formations.

GOOSENECK TRAIL
Just east of the Chimney Rock trailhead on Highway 24, this 2 mile round trip jaunt lets you look into the abyss of Sulphur Creek, which is quite the sudden surprise. The hike to Sunset Point is 7 miles round trip.

HICKMAN BRIDGE
This is a dramatic outing. Look for the turn-out on the north side of H24 approximately 4 miles east of the Visitor’s Center. This trailhead is also the trailhead for the Fruita Overlook and Cohab Canyon trails. The trail is developed and maintained along the river. As it climbs via constructed steps out of the river basin, cairns will then lead the way to the massive Hickman Bridge, a round trip of 2 miles. Interesting pour-offs and pot holes are encountered along the way.

RIM OVERLOOK
A sign directs you from the Hickman Bridge trail for this outing, a 4.5 mile round trip. The trail crosses diverse terrain, most of it slick rock, and climbs steadily. The view from the bluff has you perched directly above the tiny Fruita school house and orchards over 1,000 feet below. This is a stunning place! The trail continues to the bizarre Navajo Knobs for a 9 mile round trip outing. Keep an eye out for those cairns!

COHAB CANYON
This special little canyon can be hiked in two ways. You can access it from the Hickman Bridge trailhead or from a small trailhead across from the campground on the Scenic Drive Road, which is the more dramatic of the two options if you just want to see most of the canyon.

From the Visitor’s Center, drive south on the scenic drive road. A barn will appear on your right. Turn left before rounding the bend, parking on the north side of the road at a gate. Walk south on the east side of the road to the signed trail, which climbs quickly out of the valley via some switchbacks. The trail then contours beneath the red Wingate sandstone cliffs and enters the practically invisible entrance of Cohab Canyon.

Descend the narrow canyon, which will broaden and have you walking on slick rock shelves. Keep alert for cairns and arches! Watch for a sign directing you a short distance to the Fruita Overlook, which is worth the effort.

Return to the canyon and hike the rest of its length and backtrack on Highway 24 back to your car, or go back the way you came and execute the next hike, which is more aesthetically pleasing and allows you to see the entire canyon without backtracking any of your steps.

COHAB CANYON & FRYINGPAN TRAIL
From the Hickman Bridge trailhead, cross the bridge and walk the highway, then cross it to the Cohab Canyon trailhead. Follow this cairned trail up this fascinating canyon, where you’ll soon arrive just shy of your turn-around point (if you did the above Cohab Canyon hike). A sign will direct you onto exciting shelves on the south side of the canyon, and then you’ll exit the canyon altogether.

The trail meanders southward across the pinion expanse, dotted with rock formations. Cairns are abundant, but keep a sharp eye on them anyway. The trail descends into a broad draw where the feeling of isolation will engulf you. The trail climbs out of this depression to the high point, where the Reef is visible to the north and south. This is a dramatic spot!

Continue south and intercept the Cassidy Arch trail if you wish to visit that incredible landmark via this route (a long day), or at the appropriate spot, turn around and retrace your steps back to your vehicle. As described, this is a 5.5 mile round trip hike. Be sure to take a few minutes to get off trail and look around. You’ll never know what you might find in this bizarre desert wonderland atop the Reef!

A shuttle hike is possible by parking one car at the Cassidy Arch trailhead in Grand Wash, off of the scenic drive road.

CASSIDY ARCH
This is the most exciting and dynamic trail in the central district of the Park. This is a 6 mile round trip excursion with 1,500 feet of elevation gain, so take plenty of food and water.

From the Visitor’s Center, drive south on the scenic drive road to the Grand Wash road, turn left and proceed to the parking area. The trail departs on the north end of the parking area and starts climbing immediately as it contours cliff walls on shelves. This is a fun trail with amazing views around every bend. Most of the trail is on exposed ledges, but they are usually at least 4 feet wide. A sign will direct you to Cassidy Arch. The route traverses a lot of slick rock so cairns will mark the way to the dramatic Cassidy Arch.

Return the way you came. A shuttle hike is possible by continuing on the Frying Pan Trail, if you have left a second vehicle at the Hickman Bridge/Cohab Canyon trailhead.

GRAND WASH
This is an easy hike in the bottom of a wash that cuts through the heart of the Reef. It is 2.25 twisting miles long one way if you do it as a shuttle hike, and twice that if you go clear to one end of the canyon and back. It can be done in either direction. This description starts from the Grand Wash parking area on the west side of the Reef.

From the Visitor’s Center, drive south on the scenic drive road to the Grand Wash road, turn left and proceed to the parking area. The route is obvious, follow the canyon! Great cliffs will rise abruptly around you, and you’ll be surrounded by bizarre formations, rock holes and anomalies. Most of the route is on the sandy canyon bottom. Reverse course when appropriate if returning to your starting point.

Do not attempt this hike if stormy weather is imminent.

CAPITOL GORGE & THE TANKS
From the Visitor’s Center, drive south on the scenic drive road to its terminus and park by the restroom facility. The route is obvious. At .75 miles, you’ll arrive at the Pioneer Register. Early travelers etched their names into the stone here. Follow the canyon for .8 mile, enjoying the erosion anomalies along the way. A sign will indicate a left turn to the Tanks. Proceed up a steep and exposed trail .2 mile to the Tanks, great pools of water that have eroded to their present state over time. Keep a sharp eye out for a natural bridge near one of the water pockets.

Do not attempt this hike if stormy weather is imminent.

Capitol Reef North District

OVERVIEW
Hikes in the north end of the Park are approached via a 4WD road that meanders in a loop fashion for 60 miles from the tiny town of Caineville to the Fremont River crossing just east of the Park. A 4WD vehicle is required to execute this crossing. The water is usually about 1 foot deep except during spring runoff and after heavy storms. The crossing can be avoided by starting at and returning to Caineville, but this requires much more time due to backtracking.

The road itself is not dangerous or difficult, but can become a mess if excessively wet. Good traction and 4WD capability is then essential. The road sees little traffic, so keep that in mind before proceeding and make sure your vehicle is in excellent condition.

If approaching the Park from the east, this is a good activity to do upon your arrival, as the road deposits you close to the east entrance. Be on the lookout when you arrive at Caineville for a right turn and a mileage sign well off the highway. If you blink, you’ll miss this exit. Other than signs marking the Park boundary and trailhead signs, there are no facilities along this road. You’ll be in the wilderness!

Be advised that most of your day on this road will involve driving and sight seeing, with short hikes interspersed. Other longer hikes besides the ones mentioned here are available from this road. Be sure to supplement your material with one of several excellent guide sources that are available.

THE HARTNET ROAD
East of the Park, just east of milepost 91, turn left and descend into the river bottom. Shift into 4WD as the river crossing is approached soon at mile .5. At the crossing, enter slowly and go to your right. Drive right down the river! You’ll see an exit on the left which could be steep at times, but most 4WDs will handle this obstacle without any problems.

The road switchbacks out of the river draw and soon enters some colorful sand hills. You’ll cross Dry Wash three times and then traverse vast, flat areas with impressive views of the Reef to the west. The road will wind through the amazingly colored Bentonite Hills as it gains a bit of altitude. You’ll want to take some photos through this stretch.

Enter Capitol Reef National Park at mile 16.3. The road climbs gradually, seemingly going nowhere. Several marked trailheads will present themselves in this vast desert wilderness. The road will climb into a Pinion Pine area, and two pull-outs will present themselves. Very short hikes from these spots are well worth your time. One overlooks the lonely and isolated South Desert to the south, and the other overlooks the impressive Cathedral Valley, where you will be spending the rest of your day.

Just beyond the Upper Cathedral Valley overlook, you’ll arrive at Hartnet Junction. Turn right and go past the Cathedral Valley primitive campground. The road descends via several switchbacks to the valley floor. The awesome Monoliths will be on your right as you descend slowly into the lower reaches of the valley. After passing the Monoliths, stay to your right at a junction. All turn-outs for hikes will be to your right (to your left if coming from Caineville).

Beyond the turn-outs, the road crosses vast expanses of desert, with the towering buttes of the Reef to the south. The road winds through some bluffs and washes before following a draw back to Highway 24 and Caineville.

HIKES

The following hikes are indicated by small signs and turn-outs along the Hartnet Road.

GYPSUM SINK HOLE
A short drive to a box canyon, followed by a very short walk takes you to this strange phenomenon. The Gypsum Sinkhole is close to 100 feet deep. Situated at the base of a cliff, water has caused the sinkhole to form. There is probably a sizeable cavern beneath this massive hole.

TEMPLES OF THE SUN AND MOON
These great mud bastions of Cathedral Valley are three hundred feet high and will prove challenging to photograph in mid day light.

GLASS MOUNTAIN
Take the spur road to this little phenomenon. You’ve never seen anything like it. About 15 feet high and almost 100 feet in circumference, this solid knob of gypsum was exposed by erosion. It looks like shards of mica but is as strong and as sharp as shards of glass! It’s a gas to climb on and one of the most bizarre anomalies you’ll ever see.

Essential Gear

Your hiking boots should be in good shape. Sunscreen is strongly recommended, as well as a wide brimmed hat. Layered clothing is a good idea to keep the sunburn off your arms. Jackets are essential after sundown or during the cooler parts of the year. Dayhike gear and food is adequate for most outings in the park. A 4WD vehicle is recommended if you intend on visiting the north or south districts of the Park. If you’re blazing your own trail, a map, GPS and/or compass are a must. Supplemental Map Downloads

The need to carry plenty of water cannot be emphasized enough. Carry lots-double what you would normally carry if you visit the Park in the summer.

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