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Capitol Reef National Park

Torrey, UT

Capitol Reef National Park

Red cliffs and hidden canyons in south-central Utah's most remote national park.

Gifford House and Pendleton Barn
A brown stone building. The NPS Arrowhead is on the left side of the building. Desert vegetation is in front of the building. Orang-red cliffs rises above the building. They sky is cloudy with patches of blue.
Hickman Bridge
A hiker looks upon a light brown rock formation. The formation forms a wall, with a big hole missing in the middle. Some rock connects both sides of the wall above the hole. The sky is cloudless blue.
Strike Valley
A green valley, a brown ridge cuts through it. Red and brown cliffs slope up on the right side of image. The sky is a bright, cloudless blue.
Capitol Reef Visitor Center with "The Castle"
A brown barn is in a grassy field. A fence separates the field from the road. Behind the barn are leafless trees and orange-red rock rises above the landscape. The sky is a rich, cloudless blue.
Capitol Reef Peach Orchard
A green valley, a brown ridge cuts through it. Red and brown cliffs slope up on the right side of image. The sky is a bright, cloudless blue.
A tree with bright green leaves and round orange fruit are in focus. Orange-brown cliffs are in the background.

Capitol Reef National Park protects a striking landscape of red cliffs, narrow canyons, and natural stone formations sculpted by the Waterpocket Fold, a dramatic geological feature in south-central Utah. The park draws visitors seeking to explore remote desert terrain, hike through narrow slot canyons, and camp under dark skies.

Two campgrounds serve visitors exploring the park: Capitol Reef Fruita Campground and Capitol Reef Group Campground, each offering access to the park's scenic roads, trails, and backcountry areas.

Capitol Reef lies near the town of Torrey in a rugged corner of Utah where red rock and desert dominate the landscape. No permit is required to visit or camp here, making it straightforward to plan a trip during the season that suits your schedule.

Experiences

Camping

Explore 2 camping locations in Capitol Reef National Park.

Looking down on several trees with yellow-green leaves. In the middle of the trees is a patch of dirt with a dirt road going through it. To the right side a red rock formation looms over the trees.

Capitol Reef Fruita Campground

Torrey, UT
CampsiteReservations
A paved road. To the right side there is desert fauna and a brown sign reading: "Loop C *right arrow* Amphitheater *right arrow* Group Area *right arrow*". To the left side is a fence and some trees. There is a brown-red color hill against a blue sky in the background.

Capitol Reef Group Campground

Torrey, UT
CampsiteReservations

Common Questions

What visitors most often want to know about Capitol Reef National Park.

Do I need a permit to visit Capitol Reef National Park?

No permit is required to visit Capitol Reef National Park. You can explore the park freely during operating hours.

What campgrounds are available inside Capitol Reef National Park?

Capitol Reef National Park contains two campgrounds: Capitol Reef Fruita Campground and Capitol Reef Group Campground. Both offer camping options for visitors planning overnight stays.

What is the Waterpocket Fold?

The Waterpocket Fold is a geologic monocline—a wrinkle on the earth—that extends almost 100 miles and forms the centerpiece of Capitol Reef National Park. The park's landscape of cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges is shaped by this dramatic geological feature.

Where is Capitol Reef National Park located?

Capitol Reef National Park is located in south-central Utah near Torrey, in the heart of red rock country. The park sits in one of Utah's most scenic regions.