Capitol Reef National Park. That must be somewhere in Hawaii. Or maybe Guam? Or American Samoa? Or at least somewhere off the coast of California? Right? That’s what I thought too, but no. Capitol Reef National Park is in Utah. A reef in the desert.
Capitol Reef gets in name in part from the dome formations of white Navajo Sandstone that resemble capitol buildings. Other rock formations form cliffs and make travel difficult; much like a coral reef would. The domes and cliffs are two geological aspects along what is called the Waterpocket Fold. The Waterpocket Fold is a 100 mile wrinkle on the earth caused by fault movement. As the name “Waterpocket” suggests, erosion continues to play a key role in this ongoing saga.
However it got here, it’s beautiful!
For being a region difficult to travel in, Capitol Reef has a very long and fascinating history of human inhabitants. Petroglyphs by early Native Americans are still found on canyon walls.
In the 1800s Mormon settlers moved into the region that is still known as Fruita, a small fertile valley that supported orchards. Orchards are still in operation here today and park visitors can stop in and pick a fresh snack.
There are plenty of dazzling rock formations to photograph along the 9 mile Scenic Drive and the 29 miles of Route 24 between the towns of Caineville and Torrey.
If you’re looking to do more than just drive, the park has some great hikes as well. We hiked part of the Grand Wash, a flat trail through a canyon.
It eventually tightens into an area known as The Narrows were the canyon walls are only about 15 feet apart.
Early the next morning we hiked out to Hickman Bridge. It’s a fairly easy 2 mile round trip hike that passes right under a dramatic 133 foot arch. It’s a popular hike, so start early to avoid the crowds during peak season.
We stayed outside the park in the small town of Torrey at Sandcreek RV Park. Sandcreek is minutes from the park, has onsite showers and laundry, and features tent and RV sites as well as cabins available for rent. It’s in a quiet location and surrounded by beautiful scenery.
If you stay at Sandcreek, take some time to visit the front office and see the handmade jewelry and furniture by proprietors Donna and Duane. For more information on their projects, visit Prehistoric Artwear.
A big THANK YOU to Donna for supporting my #100by100 National Park Quest and hosting me while in Torrey and visiting Capitol Reef National Park.
Go. Live.
