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

Definitely a strenuous hike on the way up, but totally do-able and worth it for the views. We were…read moreon a time crunch, so we didn't do the full hike - we just hiked up to chimney rock and back down instead of doing the full loop. So I imagine if you did the full loop the views would have been even more beautiful, but even the modified hike we did was amazing. Whenever I looked up hikes for Capitol Reef, this one was often overlooked, but after experiencing it, I feel it's one that should be included much more often. We did read in a couple places that this was good for sunset - we didn't get that chance, but I imagine it would be beautiful. Trail was not crowded at all, but there is little shade cover so be prepared with plenty of water and a hat.

I am very excited to talk about Chimney Rock Trail!!! Alright, I have been on hikes throughout the…read moreUnited States within all sorts of national parks, etc...but, I need to urge everyone who visit Capitol Reef...it is imperative for you to hike this Chimney Rock Trail! I am serious. Although I don't have an official ranking system, I'd place this hike at least within my Top 10 - 15 BEST HIKES OF ALL TIME! Everything about being here was simply epic. If you want to immerse yourself and understand the true power of what makes the state of Utah so famous for its colorful landscape terrains, then hiking Chimney Rock Trail will give you everything you could possibly ask for! Besides Angels Landing at Zion or the Queens Garden/Navajo Loop at Bryce...I'd then put Chimney Rock just behind them. It's a MUST SEE AND DO while here at Capitol Reef! Alright, enough gushing let me just go into details and what makes Chimney Rock special... Chimney Rock Trail is a very accessible and convenient 3.5 mile loop gaining almost 600 feet in elevation. I believe 3.5 miles is ideal in distance...not too long and not too short. Then, the maybe 580 feet in elevation is also perfect. It's not really difficult whatsoever but at the same making it to the plateau area along Chimney Rock instantly provides you with stunning views of the Capitol Reef landscape. Basically, you don't have to work hard along the hike. You're not huffing and puffing. It's extremely manageable. While reading the park pamphlet and hiking guide about Capitol Reef...it mentioned that coming here to Chimney Rock was worthwhile for hiking in late afternoon and during sunset time. I couldn't agree more with that! When I arrived, the sun was at my back which allowed for very clear photo taking opportunities of the grand setting from high above. Plus, when I was here back in late July of this year, 2021, the daytime temperatures were brutal ranging in the mid to upper 90's. Having the chance to hike here when things cooled down made a huge difference. Btw, I'd also like to point out the trailhead. Finding the start to Chimney Rock was very simple. It's located right off Highway 24 (the main road that cuts through the heart of Capitol Reef) as you're heading west from Torrey, UT going east. When I arrived in late afternoon the parking lot was empty and quiet. I was surprised by this because it specifically stated Chimney Rock was appropriate for hiking during sunsets. Good thing, better off in my opinion not having other tourists around. And, that was also another terrific aspect about exploring Chimney Rock. I was virtually the only hiker here! I had the entire trail to myself. I was grateful for this as it just allowed me to collect my thoughts and feel totally separated from reality. Before I give my interpretation of what Chimney Rock is all about...I'll just take a little highlighted piece from a page I found at americansouthwest.net/utah/capitol_reef/chimney-rock-trail.html... "Chimney Rock Trail is perhaps the best short path in the national park, as it is relatively short, not too steep, provides the shortest hike to a high elevation viewpoint, and passes varied surroundings; besides Chimney Rock itself, an eroded pillar of red sandstone, the trail encounters colorful badlands, tall cliffs, and the mouth of a narrow canyon." I really liked this introduction/description. Along the 3.5 miles...I couldn't stop taking pictures. Each curve I passed, each winding turn I crossed, each climb or descent I made...was another humbling chance for picture moments. I couldn't stop, like an addicted kid at a candy store, lol. Over the course of the hike it covered every nook and cranny within Capitol Reef Park you could ask for. Granted, I did the 8 mile Scenic Drive, I hiked other trails, I ventured all around... But coming here and along Chimney Rock I felt like I had found my calling, like I discovered true fulfilment and better understood why Capitol Reef is part of Utah's "Mighty 5". I'll admit, I had moments where I felt tears of joy because here I was standing high above the ground looking down upon glorious Capitol Reef, feeling like I'm a small piece in the big scheme of history. Having infinite time made me feel like I had paused all my worries and troubles and was living in a "dreamland of sandstone cliffs, badlands, multicolored boulders and vertical walls!" And eventually the pathway leads back down to the flat base section but you're still afforded more stunning mounds of colored shades of purple, red and brown. Every step along the way felt like a new adventure. I can't say enough good things about here along Chimney Rock Trail. And because I was so infatuated with the hike, I used every last bit of fading sun to enjoy my time. I probably stayed along the trail for at least 3+ hours until it was pitch dark out before returning back to the parking lot. Lastly, that's it. Can't say anymore. Chimney Rock Trail, memories that will live with me forever.

Definitely cool overlook that lets you take in the unique landscape of a very squiggly Sulphur…read moreCreek that is slowly and surely carving out the canyon it meanders over. It's such an amazing view, as the canyons have bands of yellow, red, and browns. They denote (from descending order) the Moenkopi formation, Kaibab limestone, and the White Rim sandstone. It's such a dramatic vista. It was also snowing a little bit when I visited, so everything was capped with a thin layer of white snow too. Such a beautiful view. It's an easy hike with a roundtrip distance of 0.6 mi and minimal elevation gain. The hardest part was the unpaved road to get to the trailhead! I did it in a 2WD sedan, but there were some pits in the road I had to navigate around. Not too hard though, just go slow.

Such a dope vista point! The Goosenecks Overlook is located just a couple miles before you reach…read morethe Capitol Reef National Park Visitor's Center. Goosenecks Canyon is filled with limestone and sandstone dating back to over 270 million years old! You will have a clear view of the millions of years of erosion right from this viewpoint. The canyon is about 800 feet deep and Sulphur Creek runs along the bottom. It's almost like a mini Grand Canyon. In fact, some of the oldest rock layers of this canyon are the same rock layers that you'll find within the Grand Canyon (Kaibab Limestone). You'll have to drive a short distance up a rough and unpaved road to get here, but it's absolutely worth it for the views. From the parking lot, it's a short little hike up to the actual vista point. There's lot of room to roam around and explore the areas beyond the vista point. You'll be presented with stunning views with each and every turn. 360 degrees of pure bliss right before your eyes. If you're planning a trip to Capitol Reef National Park, this is an excellent place to stop on your way into and out of the park.

We had an absolutely amazing time on our Cathedral Valley tour today. Not only did we have perfect…read moreweather, we had a perfect guide in Tallon. Tallon is an excellent driver, on roads and most especially off road. In addition to taking us to breathtaking views(which we expected), we had the really interesting conversations, which was not really expected. Tallon shared his knowledge and love of Capitol Reef...from the views to the geology to the history. We've been on a number of tours across the States and we've been on ones we wushed we could end early...but not this one! We were in a comfortable enclosed jeep, had water and snacks, and a great guide. Thank you, Sleeping Rainbow!

We had a great Jeep tour with Sleeping Rainbow Adventures. It was easy to book and the person we…read morebooked with answered all my questions and was very friendly and helpful. The driver was very knowledgeable and told us all about the geology of the area and historical facts. She was also fun and funny. She stopped lots of places for us to take photos. I really appreciated having an experienced Jeep driver navigating the mountain switchbacks and knowing where to go. I would not have felt confident doing that drive on my own. I highly recommend them.

I've heard a few different people tell me about Fish Lake National Forest and encouraged me to…read morevisit. So I expected it to be much busier than it was on a holiday weekend. Surprising, and happily, I found it to be almost void of any people, with the exception of a few stragglers by the water and recreating about. There are beautiful trees throughout and plenty of viewing points along the road to get some lovely pictures. Watch out for cattle-I was purely delighted to come across a large herd making their way across the road.

The ranger at the ranger station was very nice. Inside the station are bathrooms and informational…read morepamphlets about the area, as well as maps and a small corner with swag for purchase. Aside from Fish Lake (from which the forest takes its name), there are mountains and meadows that are equally beautiful. If you're interested, you can visit Pando. Pando is a quaking aspen that has multiple stems but they're all connected by a root system and all the "trees" have the same DNA. Pando is more like a iceberg where the below the surface portion is the significant bit. It is the world's largest tree (and perhaps organism) by mass. It is estimated to be at least several thousand years old, with some estimates being 16,000 years old. It feels so humbling to be visiting the forest since you feel like you're just a speck of dust compared to Pando around you. Mind blowing.

Found at the end of the Scenic Drive, Capitol Gorge begins with a dirt road that weaves through the…read morebeautiful rocks and mountains of Capitol Reef. While the scenic drive in and of itself was wonderful, this dirt road to the Capitol Gorge trailheads had that beat. We drove this in a compact car without any issue, just make sure to take it slow as there are some tight, blind turns on this two-way road. If it's busy, parking can be a bit difficult at the end of the road to hike the trails. We came to hike to The Tanks, and the trail to the beginning of the The Tanks portion is super easy. You'll get to see some petroglyphs as well as the Pioneer Register - which is a cool section of rocks with signatures dating back 100+ years. There's plenty of shade in this area as you're walking between two mountain walls, and it can get pretty windy. I'd recommend bringing a jacket for this area if you're going on cooler days. The actual The Tanks hike we had planned to do was super disappointing. This 0.2 miles add-on is probably considered a moderate hike. While it had nice views, there was nothing special about the views, and you would be better off spending your time at another one of the better hikes in Capitol Reef. The other part of the Capitol Gorge Trail I previously discussed is worth it, just not the additional hike to The Tanks.

This is the wondrous Capitol Gorge area of Capitol Reef National Park at the end of the paved road…read moreportion of the Scenic Drive. This Capitol Gorge is fantastic for grasping the true essence of what makes Capitol Reef NP so special. The red rocks and canyon cliffs are simply stunning! I was visiting here in late July 2021 and unfortunately the overcast skies did darken the scenic setting somewhat, but I was still able to capture some beautiful examples of vintage Utah scenery. I'd put the Scenic Drive to arrive at this Capitol Gorge along with hiking Chimney Rock Trail as 2 of the best activities I did while exploring the park. The Scenic Drive starts right beside the Visitor Center and runs for 10 miles each way into the heart of the Capitol Reef landscape. Along the drive there'll be plenty of opportunities to pull your car off to the side, get out and snap amazing picture moments including standing at Capitol Gorge. Also of note...the Scenic Drive runs on paved road for about the first 7 - 8 miles and the last 2 - 3 miles are set on dirt/gravel road. Unfortunately, I had a compact car with me and didn't want to chance driving on the rough road in this remote part of the country. So...after stopping here at Capitol Gorge, I turned around and headed back the 7 - 8 miles towards the Visitor Center. It is a $20 fee to drive the Scenic Road, otherwise to enter and do anything within Capitol Reef it's absolutely free! You pay an attendant during normal business hours that they're open but when the Visitor Center closes, they use the "honor system" and ask you to drop the $20 into a box as proof of payment. Btw, the Visitor Center is great for buying souvenirs and picking up a park pamphlet and map of all the trails. I highly recommend stopping at the VC for any questions you may have and general advice about exploring around. Lastly, while in this Capitol Gorge area...I'd suggest hiking the Grand Wash Trail as well as the Rim Overlook Trail for 2 different, yet unique perspectives for appreciating Capitol Reef from high above and also down below in between the rugged canyon walls. Alright well, this is the Capitol Gorge section of Capitol Reef National Park!

I combined the Rim Overlook trail with the trail to Hickman Bridge to get the most out of my hike…read more Unfortunately, the sky was threatening rain so I didn't want to risk it hiking to Navajo Knobs. This 2.3 mile trail is okay if you don't have any trouble climbing a few flights of stairs as baseline daily activity. The NPS site officially lists this trail as strenuous, but I saw plenty of young kids hiking this. The trail has some stairs as you ascend. You are hiking from the canyon floor to the rim! On the way up, you get to see the rock formation that reminded travelers of the Capitol dome that inspired part of the national park's name. It's a much better name than "Wayne Wonderland" which was what the region was called before it became a national park. At the end of the hike, you're rewarded with panoramas of Fruita and the Waterpocket Fold. Vault toilets are at the trailhead, otherwise you're on your own.

This Rim Overlook Trail is a decent hike within Capitol Reef National Park. What makes it better…read morethan average though, is that you can pare it with a little side trek to Hickman Bridge, and for those interested, hike even further past the Rim Overlook to Navajo Knobs for grander views of the surrounding Capitol Reef landscape from high above! For myself, I was content with just making it here and completing the Rim Overlook Trail portion. I did not have enough strength and energy to attempt to go deeper along the path to Navajo Knobs. In fact, I visited here at Capitol Reef back in late July of this summer, 2021, and since I first wandered off to see Hickman Bridge and then returning to this main trail towards Rim Overlook...it was late morning to midday and while hiking upwards, the temperatures were scorching hot!!! I'd say at least mid to upper 90's. Wow...so getting here (at least for me) was difficult. I was certainly slurping down plenty of water. And that's because officially from the parking lot and trailhead to here at Rim Overlook, it's a 2.3 mile one way trek gaining at least 1000 feet in elevation. Surprisingly I struggled to arrive at the top. Plus...starting at the trailhead and veering off almost 1 mile each way to see the sights at Hickman Bridge was sort of an extra mini voyage of its own. For those who care, I'd describe Hickman Bridge as this giant arch/bridge embedded in the rugged Capitol Reef rocks, similar to what you'd expect to find at a place like Natural Bridges National Monument. Still, it's worthwhile (and in tandem with) to check out Hickman Bridge and then return to this main trailhead and continue on towards Rim Overlook. For those adventurous hikers...there's always Navajo Knobs Point at the end of it all. I used about half the day to visit Hickman Bridge and then come here to Rim Overlook. And for continuing to Navajo Knobs and returning would take up a majority of the day. Along the pathway up here to Rim Overlook, there really weren't any signs as I went along. What I had to follow was keeping track of the little piled rocks as sort of guide marks along the hike. These rockpiles are very typical of what you'd expect to discover on remote hikes. It's nice of the park services and rangers to create them and it certainly helped assist me heading in the correct direction. This Rim Overlook Trail didn't get strenuous until the last 1 mile of the grind higher. This is where I had to pause a few times for water. Overall, along the entire 2.3 miles one-way...there weren't too many opportunities to stop for photos. Other than heading off to Hickman Bridge, this Rim Overlook Trail was a pretty standard path unlike other hikes where along the way I'd be stunned by glorious views and it'll take me forever to make it to the peak, lol. Not here, not on this hike. It's only until you arrive at the official Rim Overlook, where you'll appreciate the scenery. And yes, from the top of Rim Overlook and looking down upon the Capitol Reef landscape, my best memory were the colors, so vintage of Utah's wondrous landscapes. I think the reddish rock tones really stood out to me. I also liked how Highway 24, which cuts straight through the heart of Capitol Reef, was pretty visible from here at the rim. I used 20 - 25 minutes admiring the setting. It gave me a chance to take some panoramic photos as well as record a video. It was refreshing gazing down upon Capitol Reef, realizing how far I had climbed while having a moment to reflect and simply catch my breathe from the hard journey. One thing I'd like to point out for any photography enthusiasts...from here at Rim Overlook it's situated right along the edge of the cliff. So...(for me) I usually bring a tripod for my camera to place down on the ground, but I was pretty cautious of my steps up here at Rim Overlook. Basically there's no room for error and it's a straight fall if you move too close to the edge. Just keep that in mind. I'd suggest crouching or sitting down for optimal photos. That's what I did. Otherwise if you stand, you'll appear out of proportion within the context of the beautiful backdrop behind you. That's just me trying to be nit picky when it comes to picture taking, lol. Just enjoy the vista point regardless. Lastly, I'd like to mention that coming here to Rim Overlook was nice and pleasant and yes I managed the tough climb to the top while paring it off with venturing to Hickman Bridge. Though...if there's just one hike for you to attempt at Capitol Reef, my favorite without a doubt hike is....Chimney Rock Trail! I can't recommend that hike enough, one of my favorites of all time! Chimney Rock should be first and foremost on your priority list and if you're still having fun and looking for more ways to explore, then sure coming here to Rim Overlook is just fine.

Absolutely amazing. It can be intimidating when you're in an unfamiliar remote area, but our Jeep…read moreTour guide Dave not only made me feel comfortable and safe but he was funny as hell and made the trip really fun in addition to providing a lot of good info in the area. We did the Sunset Capitol Reef tour which was beautiful and included a nice lunch in the desert shade. He was also extremely knowledgeable about the area, and we immediately knew we were in good hands.

Thanks to Mark and Fremont River Guides for getting my son into his first catch on a fly…read more We had an excellent day on Meeks Lake. The damsels were hatching, and the fish were taking dry and wet flies. The boat was perfect for the lake. Mark was great at teaching my son a few casting methods, and how to land a fish. Mark also knows the area well. We can't wait to go out again. "The tug is the drug".