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| Biking | Backpacking | Hiking | Horseback Riding | Climbing |
Travel lightly on the land! Please help us protect Capitol Reef Naitonal Park and the fragile high desert environment. In the park, bicycles must stay on designated roads at all times. Bicycles may not travel off road, in washes, on closed roads, on hiking trails, or backcountry routes. For overnight trips, you must camp in one of the three designated park campgrounds or on adjacent BLM or USFS lands. Water is difficult to find on all of the routes listed below, so plan accordingly. Check with the Visitor Center about availability before starting your trip.
"Why can't I ride my bicycle on the trail or off-road?" is a question commonly asked by mountain bike enthusiasts. To understand the answer to this question and the reasons behind it, remember that the National Park Service must preserve and protect park resources while making them accessible to the visiting public.
Bicycles are not permitted on park trails because they may damage natural resources which the park was set aside to protect. Desert plants growing in the sandy soils of this region are easily damaged by trampling. Park trails not only provide access to popular features, but also channel human traffic which minimizes damage to soils and vegetation.
Bicycle tires create ruts in soft soil. Water then speeds down these ruts in the trail or off-road route and accelerates erosion and the loss of vegetation. The fragile desert ecosystem at Capitol Reef recovers very slowly.
Within the park you may cycle on any road open to vehicular traffic. A handout at the visitor center identifies and describes recommended bicycle routes.
There are many additional opportunities for cyclists. Fishlake and Dixie National Forests and the Bureau of Land Management have maps and information about cycling trails on lands under their jurisdiction.
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Description |
| Capitol Gorge | 1.0 | Easy | Mostly level walking along narrow wash bottom with sheer canyon walls plus Pioneer Register and waterpockets or "tanks". |
| Cassidy Arch | 1.75 | Strenuous | Climbs steeply from floor of Grand Wash to high cliffs, ending above the arch. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chimney Rock | 3.5* | Strenuous | Climbs up switchbacks to upper loop; views of Chimney Rock and panoramas; self guiding trail. |
| Cohab Canyon | 1.75 | Strenuous for the first .25 mile, then moderate | Climbs to a hidden canyon above the campground. |
| Fremont Gorge | 2.25 | Strenuous | Trail crosses Johnson Mesa, then climbs steeply to 1,000 feet above the Fremont River. |
| Fremont River | 1.25 | Very easy first .5 mile, strenuous thereafter | Trail follows through orchards to overlook of the valley; self guiding tour. |
| Frying Pan | 3.0 | Strenuous | Trail follows ridge of Capitol Reef escarpment. |
| Golden Throne | 2.0 | Strenuous | Trail climbs from bottom of gorge to top of cliffs and views of the base of Golden Throne; panoramas. |
| Goosenecks | 0.10 | Easy | Great views of Sulphur Creek Canyon, panoramas, interesting rock formations beside the trail. |
| Grand Wash | 2.25 | Easy | Mostly level walking along narrow wash bottom with sheer canyon walls rising on both sides. |
| Hickman Bridge | 1.0 | Moderate | Self guiding nature trail leads under Hickman Natural Bridge. |
| Navajo Knobs | 4.5* | Strenuous | Follows trail to Rim Overlook; then climbs another 2.25 miles for a 360 degree panorama. |
| Old Wagon Trail | 3.5* | Strenuous | Follows wagon route on Miners Mountain; panoramic views of the Waterpocket Fold. |
| Rim Overlook | 2.25 | Strenuous | Trail ends on top of 1000 foot cliffs with spectacular views of the orchards, campground, and southward along the Waterpocket Fold. |
| Sunset Point | 0.33 | Easy | Panoramic views of cliffs and domes; dramatic lighting at day's end. |
* Note all distances are ONE-WAY except for those marked with an asterisk (*), which indicates loop trails.
Very Easy - smooth path over level ground.
Easy - uneven ground, but fairly level.
Moderate -some steep grades, some level sections.
Strenuous -steep grades, uneven terrain, and long steady climbs.
Lenght - all distances are in miles.
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
Horse and pack stock use is considered a valid means of viewing and experiencing Capitol Reef National Park. Animals designated as "pack animals" are limited to horses, burros, and mules. Stock use in any part of the park may be prohibited when, at the discretion of the superintendent, such action is necessary to protect park resources or visitors.
Regulations and Concerns
The park has no developed overnight facilities for stock users, with the execption of the Equestrian Staging Area in the Waterpocket District. Guidelines for backcountry camping with stock are described below. Stock animals may not be ridden or kept overnight in any campground, picnic area, orchard, or roadside pullout.
A free backcountry use permit, available at the visitor center, is required for each party with horses or pack animals staying overnight in the park. Backcountry camping is prohibited within one half mile of roads or trailheads. Camping is also prohibited within sight of established roads or trails, or within sight or sound of other campers. Campsites and tethering areas must be a minimum of 300 feet from non-flowing water or archeological sites and at least 100 feet from flowing water. Parties camping with stock must camp in a new location each night. Manure must be scattered before vacating the area.
Manure must be removed immediately if dropped in or near any spring or non-flowing water source.
When picketed, select locations where horses and stock animals will cause little or no vegetation damage. Grazing and loose herding are not permitted. All feed must be carried in and must be certified weed-free feed.
Stock use in the park's backcountry is limited to 12 people and no more than 12 head of riding or pack stock.
Riders will slow to a walk when passing hikers. All trash, including toilet paper, must be carried out. Human waste must be buried 6 inches deep in soil and at least 100 feet from non-flowing water and 200 feet from flowing water. Burning or burying toilet paper is prohibited. Fires are not permitted in the backcountry. Dogs may not accompany stock trips.
Report all accidents or injuries to a park ranger, or at the visitor center, as soon as possible.
All commercially guided horse or pack animal trips must be provided by an outfitter that is authorized and permitted to operate under the commercial use procedures of the park.
Closed Areas
Horses and pack animals are prohibited on the following trails and hiking routes:
Recommended Rides - The following are recommended rides in the park:
Guidelines and Regulations for the Backcountry Equestrian Staging Area
The Superintendent of Capitol Reef National Park has authorized the use of a staging area for horse users departing on overnight or dayuse trips into the Waterpocket District of the park. The equestrian staging area is sited at the Post Corral (see map), which is located on the Notom-Bullfrog Road, about one-half mile south of the Burr Trail/Notom Road junction. Use of the site has been approved for a two year experimental period, commencing on April 10, 1998, during which time park officials will examine horse use withing the district and its impacts to resources. All use is subject to the existing regulations outlined in the park horse use policy and the park Compendium. Use of the camp is limited to non-commercial groups.
Overnight camping will be permitted for horse users within the Post Corral on an advanced reservation basis only. Reservations are free of charge and must be made at least two weeks prior to planned use. In the future an administrative fee may be charged. For reservations or further information contact park Range Conservationist Keith Durfey at 435-425-3791, ext. 143.
Regulations governing the staging site include:
Traditionally, Capitol Reef National Park has experienced minimal use by technical rock climbers. However, recent years have seen an increase in climbing in Utah's canyon country. Included here are the park regulations and concerns regarding technical climbing.
Rock Type
The rock at Capitol Reef is comprised predominately of sandstone. It varies in hardness from the soft crumbly Entrada to the relatively hard Wingate. The Wingate cliff walls are the most popular for climbing, as natural fracturing has created many climbable crack systems. In addition, the hardness of the Wingate lends itself more readily to the successful use of chocks, nuts, and camming devices; however it can flake off easily and be very unpredictable. Climbing in canyon country is not something to be taken lightly.
Route Descriptions
Two published guides cover climbs at Capitol Reef. They are Desert Rock by Eric Bjornstad from Chockstone Press, Inc., 1996 and Rock Climbing Utah by Stewart M. Green from Falcon Publishing, 1998. Both are available for sale at the visitor center bookstore . If you climb a new route and wish to leave a route description contact a ranger at the visitor center.
Permits are not required for climbing. However, if you plan to camp overnight on a climb, you are required to obtain a free backcountry use permit, available at the visitor center.
Restrictions and Concerns
Capitol Reef National Park is a clean climbing area. Minimum impact techniques that don't destroy the rock or leave a visual trail are encouraged. The use of white chalk is prohibited. Climbers using chalk must use chalk which closely matches the color of the surrounding rock. The use of power drills is also prohibited. Bolts may only be used to replace existing unsafe bolts. Where it is necessary to leave or replace existing webbing, the webbing should closely match the color of the surrounding rock. Ropes may not be left in place unattended for more than 24 hours, and these ropes must be out of reach from the ground or other points accessible without technical climbing.
Closed Areas
Due to the abundance of prehistoric rock writings, the section of the rock wall north of Utah Hwy 24 between the Fruita Schoolhouse (Mile 80.6) and the east end of the Kreuger Orchard (Mile 81.4) is closed to climbing. In other areas, climbing is not permitted above or within 100 feet of rock art panels or prehistoric structures. Other areas closed to climbing are: Hickman Natural Bridge and all other arches and bridges, Temple of the Moon, Temple of the Sun, and Chimney Rock.
Safety
Climbing during the summer is very hot as temperatures frequently reach the upper 90's to near 100 degrees. Carry plenty of water. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August. Sandstone is weak when wet, so avoid climbing in damp areas or right after a rain. Please climb safely! Many falls have been taken on relatively easy routes because experienced climbers became careless. Please report all accidents or injuries at the visitor center.
