US Park Info: Capitol Reef National Park

The Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth's crust known as a monocline, extends from nearby Thousand Lakes Mountain to the Colorado River (now Lake Powell). Capitol Reef National Park was established to protect this grand and colorful geologic feature, as well as the unique historical and cultural history found in the area.

One of my favorite partst of Capital Reef National Park are its Peach Orchards. These are located about 3 miles down the road from the visitor center, and are open during certain time periods during the summer months. The peaches are kept right on the tree and a very minimal fee is charged to visitors to walk around the orchard and pick the fruit from the trees. The only rule that I was told there was that you are charged for how many pounds of peaches you take out, not how much you eat while "picking".

This is a great way to spend a half hour or hour; wandering through the orchard eating to your hearts content, and then buying some of the best peaches found on the planet.

 

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Basic Information for Capitol Reef National Park

Getting There
PLANE - The closest regional airport is Grand Junction, Colorado, about 4 hours drive from Capital Reef..

CAR -The park is located in south-central Utah off Route 24.


Weather & Climate
Summer tempertures often climb into the upper 90s (F), but nights cool
down into the 50s (F) and 60s (F). The thunderstorm season from July
through September brings cloudbursts, flash floods and lightning. Spring
and fall are milder with highs generally in the 50s (F) and 60s (F). Daytime
winter highs average less than 50 (F). Snowfall is usually light, especially
at lower elevations. Humidity is low all year.

Accessibility
A number of facilities and activities are accessible to the disabled. The Visitor Center and its restroom facilities are moderately accessible. The restrooms in the picnic ground and in loop “B” and “C” in the Fruita campground are also accessible. The amphitheater programs accommodate sensory and mobility impaired individuals.

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Places to Stay in Capitol Reef National Park

Camping
Cathedral Valley Campground
Open All Year
Cathedral Valley campground offers primitive camping. Camping is free. Pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire grates are the only facilities available. There is no water.

Cedar Mesa Campground
Open All Year
Cedar Mesa campground offers primitive camping. Camping is free. Pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire grates are the only facilities available. There is no water.

Fruita Campground
Open All Year
The 71 site Fruita campground is the only developed campground in the park offering picnic tables, restrooms, water, and a dump station. (note: the dump station is out of service for the 2000 summer season.) A $10 use fee is charged at the Fruita campground. It is open year-round

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Activities at Capitol Reef National Park

From May to September, the park offers a variety of ranger-guided programs at no charge. These include guided walks, talks, and evening programs at the campground amphitheater.

The Fruita schoolhouse is a restored and refurbished historic structure located on U-24, .8 miles east of the visitor center. A recorded message describes teaching in a one-room school.

The blacksmith shop, .5 miles south on the Scenic Drive, offers a recorded message about life in a Mormon pioneer community.

The Historic Gifford Homestead, 1 mile south on the Scenic Drive, is typical of rural Utah farm-houses of the early 1900s. Cultural demonstrations and handmade sales items are available. A picnic area near the visitor center provides tables, fire grills, restrooms, drinking water and shade trees.

Bicycles are restricted to maintained roads open to vehicular traffic. A handout available at the visitor center identifies and describes recommended routes.

Fishing is permitted in the Fremont River with a valid Utah fishing license.