Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Called "Wayne Wonderland" in the 1920s by local boosters Ephraim P. Pectol and Joseph S. Hickman, Capitol Reef National Park is bursting with unique natural and cultural history. The park was established to protect its infamous Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth's crust known as a monocline that extends from nearby Thousand Lakes Mountain to the Colorado River (now Lake Powell). Comprised of 378 square miles of colorful canyons, ridges, buttes, and monoliths, this park is truly spectacular.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Al HendricksPhone Number: 435-425-3791
Entrance Fees: Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $5; Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $3
Sights: Waterpocket Fold; Freemont Culture Rock Art; Bolder Mountain; Thousand Lakes Mountains; Triassic Tracks; Fremont River; Escalante River; Capitol Dome; Chimney Rock; The Goosenecks; The Egyptian Temple; Hickman Bridge; The Golden Throne; Capitol Gorge; Fruita Schoolhouse; Gifford Farmhouse; Behunin Cabin; Brimhall Bridge; Muley Twist Canyon
Endangered Species: Wright's Fishhook Cactus; Utah Prairie Dog
Important Dates
Established as Park: December 18, 1971By The Numbers
Acres: 241,904.00Highest Point: Billings Point (8960 feet)
Annual Visitation: 511,511 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :38.317670 / -111.275510 (map it)
State: UT
Nearby Big City: Torrey, UT
Gateway Communities: Torrey, UT; Teasdale, UT; Bicknell, UT; Lyman, UT
Nearby Airports: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Crow Rock
Sharon D
Desert Red Rocks
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Fruita Valley
Sasha Buzko
View More Capitol Reef Photos
In Detail
5 Things to See in Capitol Reef Wayne County is truly a land for all seasons. Summers are mild and weather lends to a variety of outdoor recreation. Spring yields cactus blooms and assorted wild desert flora, an ideal time for longe ... read more.
Activities The elevation and desert climate of Capitol Reef make for substantial temperature variations in the course of a year. July and August are the hottest months, with midday temperatures often close to 1 ... read more.
Flora & Fauna Life is abundant along the banks of the Fremont River. Cotton-woods, willows and tama-risks mingle and compete. All must have enough water, but the exotic tama-risk, introduced into the Southwest fr ... read more.
Getting To Capitol Reef By Air: Major airlines serve Salt Lake City and Cedar City in Utah, Las Vegas in Nevada and Grand Junction in Colorado. From there, you can rent a car and drive to the park. By Rental Car: Cars are a ... read more.
History Geologic History The Waterpocket Fold defines Capitol Reef National Park. A nearly 100-mile-long warp in the earth's crust, the fold is a classic monocline: a regional fold with one very steep side i ... read more.
Sights To See Capitol Reef, Waterpocket Fold, Land of the Sleeping Rainbow—all are colorful names to describe a park with many striking characteristics. Waterpocket Fold, the main feature of the park, is the ... read more.
Visitor Services Travel northeast from Bryce Canyon on scenic Route 12 past Escalante and Boulder. Turning east on Route 24 will bring you to Capitol Reef and nearly 250,000 square miles of towering cliffs and eroded ... read more.
Capitol Reef In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
