Capitol reef is a stunner of a place, and a perfect visit spot for a short trip (1-2 days, imo)…read more You could definitely do a longer trip and REALLY see everything but I was satisfied to get a taste via some popular hikes including Cassidy arch, Hickman bridge, and the grand wash. I also was recommended to check out the Gifford Homestead where you can buy some EXCELLENT homemade pies and other goodies. I'm addicted to sugar so this was actually the highlight for me - the cinnamon roll, mixed berry and cherry pies that I bought were honestly some of the best pies I've had in my life. I had to eat them over the course of four days though since I was by myself and they are decently sizable (about the size of a large saucer/small dinner plate). As for the hikes - the arches were a bit strenuous but very doable in the span of a morning. Do beware that the trail is kind of hard to follow on the Cassidy arch trail - I got QUITE confused at one of the confluence areas of trails and ended up wasting a good 30 mins trying to figure out where I was/where the trail actually is. I saw a couple hikers coming down eventually and that's how I figured out where I was supposed to go. The Cassidy arch viewpoint is REALLY cool though, and of course the view of the vista at the arch itself is lovely. The Hickman bridge is also very impressive. I came on a random weekday in April and there were a handful of other hikers but really the trails were quite empty, and the trailhead lots had TONS of parking available, no issue. No traffic going in or out of the park either. The weather was decent; cloudy but wasn't rainy (it had been raining/sleeting just west of the park where my airbnb was though, so come prepared!). By the end of the grand wash hike in the early afternoon I was already getting pretty hot, and felt ready to move along on my NP road trip. Overall - if you're taking a tour of Utah I think it would be a travesty to miss this park, they're all incredible and unique in different ways!

This is a national park located in Utah about 2.5 hours drive from Moab. Stop in their Visitor…read moreCenter so you can get a trail map. They also have guides on hand that will help you plan your adventure and answer any questions. We chose to hike Hickman Bridge and Colab Canyon Trails. We also drove out to see Bentonite Hills. The trails were moderately difficult and we enjoyed the challenge. We had a capable vehicle so we were able to make the treck to Bentonite Hills. Capitol Reef Park is somewhat overshadowed by the big ones so be sure not to miss it!

We took this as a side trip and we really should have given this more time. If you are thinking of…read morecoming here, I recommend looking at all the activities offered to see how much is here to do so you won't feel as though you missed out on some of what makes this park FUN! As for us, we ran around the valley, played hide and seek, marveled at how these "goblins" were made and just had a great adventure with the time we had.

A triumph of both western topography and federalism. This is one of those awesome parks that would…read morein some ways be less special if it were "upgraded" to a national park. It's great the way it is. Just a few notes: -- the campsite is just amazing; you are nestled in among caves and washes, and your kids can merrily wander off "to the kids cave" or climb up onto a crest and watch the sunset or the rhythm of the campsite. They do have a shared bathroom with running water, which keeps the place just civilized enough for moderately experienced car campers. -- at the same time, this place is really remote. If you realize at campside that your propane stove doesn't work, you would have to drive an hour each way to Green River to get more. Instead, you will just have to figure out how to boil coffee and macaroni and cheese over a campfire. -- the stars. The city lights are far far far away, and the desert sky is clear, so you can see so so many stars. And if you sit and stare at them you see more. The only place I have ever seen so many stars in my life is standing on the side of the road outside Marfa, TX. -- two decades ago this was one of the first camping trips of my life, and it remains a special place in my heart.

The Toadstool Hoodoos are cool rock formations formed by differential erosion. They look like…read moremushrooms, as the harder rock caps and protects the softer rock underneath. The hike is an easy 1.5 miles. The views at the end are worth it, and you can get close to the rock formations as you like (although don't topple the rocks!). It's suitable for families with small children. If you don't mind driving on an unpaved road (I did it in a 2WD sedan), check out House Rock Valley Road for unparalleled views of the landscape with swirling sandstone, painted hills, and other cool rock formations. Check out the Wire Pass Trail for amazing slot canyons, although check the weather. If there's any chance for rain, do not enter the slot canyons since the formations channel water and form deadly floods in the canyon.

This feels like a review in progress because the area is so large - but was pleasantly surprised by…read morehow much more I want to explore this region. We did Willis Creek Narrows and Lower Calf Creek Falls - both incredible. Now adding to the wish list for return trips. The drive along US 12 is just spectacular. Definitely recommend a high clearance vehicle with 4WD to access some of the more remote locations. Be prepared to adventure and bring what you need as this is not a manicured national park, but more a haven for those looking for an off-grid escape.

Cassidy arch is one of the most popular hikes in CRNP and for good reason! It's a very memorable…read morehike. Kind of nebulous at one point in the first 1/3 of it when you reach this kinda rocky/brushy clearing (I lost a good 30 min wandering around in that area trying to find the actual trail) but once you figure that out it's easy to follow the rest of the trail. The views along the way are lovely and of course the vista at the end is stunning!! I had no issues with parking, there was plenty at the trail head on a week day in April. Just come prepared for finicky weather; I got lucky that it was just cloudy and only misted for like 10 min before stopping but it definitely could rain/get cold quickly.

This review is for Cassidy Arch Trail which was a ~3.1 miles round trip that took ~2 hours to…read morecomplete. Steady inclines mostly near the beginning. Follow the rock cairns for the last stretch to the arch. Amazing views throughout the hike! Required to drive ~1 mile on dirt road to reach the trailhead. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/4rdkNmKmd5M

Wow what breathtaking views! We enjoyed our time exploring the area. Parts of the roads were…read morenarrow but still enjoyed it.

Amazingly huge and remote place to explore! We only tackled one trail for the first visit, Lower…read moreCalf Creek Falls. It's an easy, 6-mile hike with minimal elevation change, and a stunning waterfall at the end! Definitely bring plenty of water and sun protection- small sections of shade but plenty of non-shaded areas. A fantastic introduction to this area- plenty of red rocks too. Either display your America the Beautiful parks pass on your dashboard, or pay for a day pass and display in your car (this almost certainly varies in different parts of the park- but signage was pretty good in this trail area).

I was looking for a place to take a nap and later a walk. I found Lions Park and it is nice. I love…read moreto report on parks, (maybe I like the naps and walks??) so here is the Lions Park report: Volleyball, Baseball, Big Fire pit that could seat 35 in two circles around the pit Nice lawns, Well kept Restrooms Deep Shade so brink a blanket to enjoy the lawn for that nap Group area are there to enjoy as well with a sign up right there in the park Oh and a playground for the little ones too!

Note: Map App sent us to the wrong place!!!…read more But first: This is a great little park for a summer picnic lunch on the way to Moab. The first reviewer described it well, and is the reason why we chose to stop here. We're enjoying the shaded picnic tables, playground, and big grassy field for kicking a soccer ball around. There's also a basketball court, volleyball net on the grass, a little "skate park" with ramps, a drinking water fountain. It was pure luck that we found it, though, because the map app sent us up a gravel road for 4 miles in the wrong direction!!! We turned around after a driving a few hundred yards and the road started to climb (and a group of guys on ATVs gave us curious looks as they drove by) and decided to drive into town in hopes of finding a shady bench, when we stumbled upon it! I'm attaching a photo of the CORRECT location in the map app (Apple, I'm so disappointed in you, your map app is STILL cr*p!)

Clean park with picnic tables. Great stop along State route 89 or Interstate 70. Nice shade…read more Nice playground as well.

This is a fantastic park of traveling with a pet that needs a break from the car! We have stopped…read morehere three different trips and had the entire park to ourselves every time! It is a very big park with a fence between the park and the road. It has many shade trees, sitting areas and a park for the kids! If you need a pit stop I highly recommend!

Nice park across from a taco shop; has some picnic tables, playground, basketball court, and even a…read moremiddle leftover from the Green River Test site, which was located nearby in the 60s-1975; interesting informational plaque. Noticed after the fact that it says no dogs allowed.

Very cute city park with huge playground and picnic area. The bathrooms were clean and had paper…read moretowels!

Nice park, with two play structures for kids, lots of grass, and a cool visitor center with a rock…read morecollection!

Amazing city park with a lower jungle gym and upper jungle gym, Skate park, pavilion, mini…read moreamphitheater, baseball Diamond and hill for rolling down.