Designated a national monument in 1937 and a national park in 1971, the majesty of Capitol Reef has been intriguing visitors with its twisting canyons, massive domes, monoliths and spires of sandstone for the past century. The famous Burr Trail cuts through the lower part of the park.

Activities at Capitol Reef

From deep narrow gorges to a bird's eye view on the top of a peak, Capitol Reef National Park offers an assortment of activities to visitors. The beauty of Capitol Reef can be experienced on foot or bicycle. In the midst of Capitol Reef's red rocks is the verdant Fremont River Valley, where one can see rock art -- the legacy of the ancient Fremont culture - etched into the sandstone walls. Cathedral Valley, the backcountry section of the park, is accessible along dirt roads with high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. Nearby, the remnants of Fruita, an early pioneer settlement, contain large orchards in which fruit may still be picked in season. Other activities include:

• Capitol Reef-area information (Things to See & Do)
• 25-mile scenic drive; a minimal fee applies
• Guided walks and evening programs are available free of charge.
• Fishing on the Fremont River above the park, and in small lakes and streams on nearby Boulder Mountain. (A valid fishing license is required)
• Rock climbing
• Hiking
• Biking
• Off-Road
• Horseback Riding

Location of Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef National Park is 10 miles east of the town of Torrey, or 37 miles west of the town of Hanksville on paved SR 24. See our database for a list of Capitol Reef accommodations.

The Burr Trail is a scenic backcountry route extending from the mountain town of Boulder down through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument into Capital Reef National Park and then to Bullfrog in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The route covers about 68 miles.The road is paved on its upper end and graded dirt on the lower end. The condition of the dirt section may change from day to day. You can count on encountering washboardy and washed out spots. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended but passenger cars do occasionally drive this route. During wet weather it may be impassable even to 4X4 vehicles.

The Burr Trail takes adventurous traveler into some of Utah's most beautiful and extraordinary country. It affords extraordinary views of the Henry Mountains and lower Capital Reef country. It provides access to incredible hikes in contorted landscape like The Gulch, The Circle Cliffs and the Waterpocket Fold. The route is named after John Atlantic Burr, who was born in 1846 aboard the SS Brooklyn somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. He and his family lived in Salt Lake City, then later moved south and established the town of Burrville, Utah, in 1876. John Burr soon developed a trail to move cattle back and forth between winter and summer ranges and to market. This cattle trail through the rough, nearly impassable country around the Waterpocket Fold, Burr Canyon, and Muley Twist Canyon came to be known as the Burr Trail.Spring and fall are ideal times to explore this area. Temperatures are mild and hiking is pleasant. Daytime temperatures can become very hot during summer. Winter days are often mild. Wet weather can close this road during any month of the year.