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| Dates Opened | Hours | Location | Available Facilities |
| All Year | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Daily Extended hours Memorial Day through Labor Day |
Junction of Stateroad 24 and the Scenic Drive | A small museum and bookstore. Orientation program are available. Travel, weather, road and trail conditions as well as backcountry information is available. Golden Age, Eagle and Access passports are also available. |
Capitol Reef National Park is open year round. The majority of park visitors come during May to September and are lowest in December through February. The park is open daily, except for some federal holidays.
Capitol Reef National Park has some fantastic rock structures and colors for some unbelievable scenic beauty. Activities to consider while here, but not limited to: backpacking, biking, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback rides, photography, star gazing, swimming, wading and watching wildlife.
Ranger Activities
Ranger / Naturalist programs include scheduled walks, guided hikes and evening campfire programs by rangers. Check bulletin boards in the park for details.
From May to September the park offers a wide variety of ranger guided programs at no charge, including guided walks, talks and evening programs at the outdoor amphitheater. Check bulletin boards in the park for details.
Morning walks are offered occasionally. These walks may venture into narrow canyons, climb to overlooks or explore culture.
Afternoon walks or workshops provide an opportunity to escape the heat while learning more about the park. These are held in shady orchards, along the river and in picnic areas or at the visitor center.
Amphitheater programs are held nightly during the summer season at the Fruita Campground amphitheater near Loop C. There are new topics each evening. They begin at dusk.
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.
Junior Ranger Program
As in other National Parks, Capitol Reef has a Junior Ranger Program for youth ages 12 and under. The Junior Ranger Program really helps the youth get the most out of their visit to a National Park and to become involved as an official Junior Ranger and earn their patch. Youth need to finish eight activities and get your official certificate and patch. Interview a ranger, map an ancient earthquake, or get your feet wet watching waterbugs! Check at the visitor center for more information about becoming a Junior Ranger or Junior Geologist.
Everyone gets into the act with a Family Fun Pack. Take your pick of several activities and get the whole family involved. Adults can borrow a fun pack at the visitor center.
Visit the new Ripple Rock Nature Center, 0.75 mile from the visitor center. Check at the visitor center for facility hours and scheduled activities.
Activity booklet available at the Visitor Center.
Special Events
Watch a wainwright or wheelwright mount a tire on a wagon wheel at the Harvest Homecoming. Participate in a bucket brigade. Listen to the music of Native Americans. Re-enact a day in the life of a student in the Fruita one room schoolhouse.
These kinds of activities celebrate the crafts, skills and talents of turn of the century pioneers whose isolation required self reliance and self sufficiency.
The Harvest Homecoming is usually held in September. Call or visit the visitor center for more details.
