One of the “Mighty 5” national parks in Utah, Capitol Reef is spectacular! I was lucky to visit it twice this year, once in January of 2020 and then again in July. In my previous post, I described how to best explore the park. Now, I want to tell you about the two beautiful hikes in Capitol Reef National Park you should absolutely do. They are not the easiest but will offer amazing views and great picture opportunities. In my opinion, they are the best in the park.
Two Beautiful Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef offers a good number of trails and spectacular vistas of white domes, multicolored cliffs, and deep canyons. Over the years, I have hiked quite a bit in the park, so I feel like I can honestly highlight some of the best trails. Here are two beautiful hikes in Capitol Reef National Park you should take.
The Rim Overlook Trail with a stop at Hickman Bridge
The Rim Overlook Trail is 2.3 miles in each direction and has an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet. It is a moderate hike, so if you are in pretty good shape, you should be able to do it. Just remember that summers are really hot, so plan accordingly. The trail starts along the Fremont River and steadily climbs all the way to the Rim Overlook, 1,000 feet above Fruita. The views of the valley and the Kayenta formations are absolutely stunning. The trail continues past the Rim Overlook to the Navajo Knobs, so you can extend the hike for another 2.2 miles in each direction. Another option you have, which I particularly recommend, is taking a detour to see the Hickman Bridge. I was amazed by the beauty of this sandstone arch! The whole Rim Overlook Trail is beautiful and the white and reddish sandstone with surrounding cliffs and canyons offers lots of amazing picture opportunities. It is one of two beautiful hikes in Capitol Reef National Park you will not forget.
Cassidy Arch Trail
This is an amazing hike, incredibly scenic, and unforgettable! To get there, take the Scenic Drive south of Fruita and turn onto the Grand Wash Drive. The Cassidy Arch Trail starts about 0.2 miles from the trailhead at the parking lot area. The trail climbs 670 feet giving you spectacular views of the canyon, cliffs, and colorful rock formations. Eventually, you’ll come to a flat area with breathtaking views of the arch. The arch was named after the famous outlaw who is said to have hidden in the mountains here. The hike is 1.7 miles in each direction.
Other amazing places worth visiting nearby
- Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument – 60 miles away
- Bryce Canyon National Park – 112 miles away
- Cedar Breaks National Monument – 142 miles away
- Arches National Park – 133 miles away
- Canyonlands National Park – 147 miles away
