Capitol Reef - What To Do

Southern Utah is considered by many people to be one of the finest travel destinations in the United States. The attraction is the colorful, awe inspiring, and ancient red rocks of the Colorado Plateau, and the many hiking trails, 4-wheel drive routes, and just plain pretty places to see. For years, this area has been drawing tourists from all over the U.S. and much of the world to see this magnificent natural playground, and even with fuel prices at all time record highs, the motor homes, trailers and other travelers just keep coming.

Our focus this month has been on Capitol Reef National Park. As a destination, the park offers a wide variety of scenic hikes and some of the most dramatic landscapes anywhere in the southwest. Still, with all there is to see and do, unless you're an avid hiker, you can pretty much see the highlights of Capitol Reef in just a few days. So what else is there that makes this such a great destination?

For starters, there's the small town of Torrey just outside of Capitol Reef to the west. In Torrey, there are two gas stations, a Subway, three major hotels as well as several independents, plus three RV parks. There is a small general store, and at least 10 places to dine with some restaurants serving breakfast. For a small, out of the way place, Torrey seems to have all you need for a short stay in the red rock country.

Beyond Capitol Reef, a great day trip is Goblin Valley State Park, just a few miles north of Hanksville on Utah 24. Goblin Valley offers a unique kind of geologic feature that closely represents, well, goblins. You can read more about Goblin Valley here.

Another trip that can be taken in conjunction with Goblin Valley is a drive through parts of the San Rafael Swell area. This dirt road is accessible from Goblin Valley and wanders its way around through rock formations and southwest views of all colors. This area was heavily mined for uranium in the first part of the 20th century, and remnants of these old mines, as well as interpretive signs are in several locations along the way. This roads eventually exits at I-70, where you can return to to Torrey via Richfield. This is a heavily used recreational area, and there are many roads along the way. You should stop at the visitor's center in Torrey (near the Chevron Gas Station) and acquire a map.

Behind the famous Waterpocket Fold - which is the large monocline formation that makes up much Capitol Reef – is the Cathedral Valley. This area was briefly explored by John Fremont in the 19th century, and some uranium prospecting occurred in the early 20th century, but it's history has otherwise been unremarkable. As a day trip, however, it offers some magnificent views for the rock formations that make up. This nearly 60 mile dirt road adventure takes you through the Fremont River, and around a loop road, and eventually returns to Highway 24 east of Capitol Reef. Check with the Park Visitor Center before you use this road. While it is passable with 2-wheel drive vehicles in good conditions, it is at times impassable even with the best 4-wheel drive vehicle during or after rains. The level of the river is important too, since you have to drive through it. A map and guide of the Cathedral Valley can be purchased at the Capitol Reef Visitor's Center for $1.25.