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| Camping | Cathedral | Cedar Mesa | Backcountry | Group Camping |
Camping
There are three campgrounds in Capitol Reef National Park - Fruita, Cathedral Valley and Cedar Mesa Campgrounds. All campgrounds are open year round, and operate on a first come first serve basis. Four-wheel-drive is recommended to get to Cathedral and Cedar Mesa campgrounds and you need to check at the visitor center on road conditions before heading back to these campgrounds. There is one group campsite that can be reserved at Fruita.
| Campground | Open | Sites | Dump Station | Laundry | Showers | Groceries | Service Station | Fee |
| Fruita | All Year | 70 | Yes | 12 mi | 12 mi | 12 mi | 12 mi | $ 10.00 |
| Cathedral Valley | All Year * | 5 | No | No | No | No | No | None |
| Cedar Mesa | All Year * | 5 | No | No | No | No | No | None |
* Weather and road conditions permitting, check with the visitors center.
Additional Camping Information
All campgrounds are a first-come-first-serve basis. Campsite occupancy is limited to eight people.
Fire Ground fires are not permitted within the park. You must use elevated fire grates available in the campgrounds or a camp stove. Wood collection is not permitted in the park.
Fruita Campground is located one mile south of the visitor center on the Scenic drive (or 1.3 miles south off State road 24 - 11 miles east of Torrey). It is opened year round and is the only developed campground in the park offering restrooms, water, and a dump station. During the summer, amphitheater presentations are offered nightly. Up to eight people may stay at a campsite. Campers may stay for a total of 14 days each year. Wood collection is not permitted in the park.The dump station is currently closed.
Cathedral Valley campground and Cedar Mesa Campground offer primitive camping. Camping is free at both sites. Both campgrounds have 5 sites and cannot be reserved. Pit toilets, tables and fire grates are the only facilities available. Ground fires are not permitted within the park. You must use elevated fire grates available in the campgrounds or a camp stove.These campgrounds are approximately 36 miles from the visitor center. Road conditions often require a 4-wheel drive vehicle. No water is available at either campground. Wood collection is not permitted in the park.
Cathedral Campground
Located approximately halfway on the Cathedral Valley loop road which traverses Capitol Reef's Cathedral District is about 36 miles from the Visitor Center. Water is not available. The campground is open year-round; however, visitors should check road conditions with the Capitol Reef Visitor Center prior to planning an overnight stay. The campground is at approximately 7000 feet in elevation.
To reach the Cathedral Campground from the visitor center, travel east on Utah Highway 24 to the river ford (approximately 12 miles). You must ford the Fremont River at this point. Continue along the Hartnet Road approximately 25 miles to the campground. If you do not want to ford the river, travel east from the visitor center on Utah Highway 24 to the Caineville Wash Road (approximately 18 miles). Follow the Caineville Wash Road to the campground (approximately 25 miles).
Cathedral Valley Loop Road
The spectacular Cathedral Valley section of Capitol Reef National Park is open all year. Vehicles with good ground clearance, even those without four wheel drive, can usually negotiate the roads without difficulty. However, road conditions can vary greatly depending on recent weather conditions. Spring and summer rains and winter snows can leave the roads muddy, washed out, and impassable to the best four wheel drive vehicle, so check at the visitor center for current road and weather conditions before visiting Cathedral Valley.
Foot and vehicle travel in the Cathedral Valley area is light, so be prepared for the unexpected. If you have problems, help may not arrive for hours or even days, depending on the time of year. Carry plenty of water, food, gas, adequate clothing, a shovel, and emergency supplies. Cool/cold temperatures will accompany sudden storms or an unexpected night out in the backcountry. Daytime temperatures in the summer may reach the upper 90s and winter highs may stay below freezing, so dress accordingly.
Cedar Mesa Campground
To reach Cedar Mesa Campground from the visitor center, travel east on Utah Highway 24 approximately 9 miles to the Norton Road. Take the Norton Road South 22.5 miles to the campground (or 23 miles south off state road 24 - 20 miles east of Torrey).
The Cedar Mesa Campground is located approximately 35 miles south of the Visitor Center on the Notom-Bullfrog Road. This primitive, no-fee campground has five sites, each with a picnic table and fire grate. There is also a pit toilet, but no water is available. The campground is open year-round, but visitors should check with the Capitol Reef Visitor Center for road conditions prior to planning an overnight stay.
Notom-Bullfrog Road
The Notom-Bullfrog road intersects Utah Hwy 24 9.3 miles east of the Capitol Reef Visitor Center and extends south to Bullfrog Marina and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This dirt road runs along the eastern side of the Waterpocket Fold and offers excellent scenery as well as marvelous hiking opportunities. Access to many of the park's backcountry trails, such as Lower Muley Twist and Halls Creek Narrows can be found off this road. While portions of the road outside the park are paved, the majority of the Notom-Bullfrog road is dirt and subject to changes in weather conditions. Visitors are advised to check with the Visitor Center before setting out.
Fruita Group Campsite
There is a group campground that can be reserved from 01 Apr until 20 Oct. Only written or faxed requests are accepted to reserve the group campsite. Maximum group size is 40 people and a limit of 10 vehicles. Maximum stay is 5 days. Cost is $3.00 per person per night, and a minimum charge of $50.00 (no fee for children 5 and under, however they are included in the group count). Requests are accepted beginning the first Monday of February for that calendar year. On a first come first serve basis beginning 01 Mar, all non-reserved dates and cancellations are available by written or faxed requests, or to visitors inquiring at the visitor center. No waiting lists are maintained.
Group Campsite Reservations
Capitol Reef National Park
HC 70 Box 15
Torrey, UT 84775-9602
Fax: 1-435-425-3026
All faxes received the same day have equal preference.
Reservation requests must include:
In late February a confirmation letter will be mailed to those receiving reservations; payment of $ 50.00 for each night reserved must then be received by 20 March to hold the reservation. The balance of payment for your reservation must be received 30 days prior to your reservation date. Refunds are available if a group cancels 14 days prior to their reserved date. You will also be notified if all dates are taken and you did not receive a reservation.
All non-reserved dates, or dates that open due to cancellations, are available by written or faxed request, or to visitors at the Visitor Center on a first-come, first-served basis beginning March 1st. No waiting lists are maintained.
Backcountry Camping
Obtain a free permit at the visitor center. If you are planning a backcountry trip, carry maps (available at visitor center). Water is scarce, especially in summer. Waterpockets, seeps and springs are unreliable. Carry all the water you need. One gallon per person per day is recommended. If you use water from backcountry sources, filter or boil to kill Giardia.
Camping and Hiking Do's and Don'ts
Do's
