Capitol Reef NP

[CraigClint]

Don't know how "Off the Beaten Track" this park is, but with Arches, Canyonlands, Zion and Bryce to compete with it seems to me that Captiol Reef doesn't get enough recognition. A spectacular park, with one of the most unusual land formations on the continenty - the Waterpocket Fold. I first saw it from a jet airliner at 35,000 feet. It looked like someone took a mile-wide hoe and dragged it 10 miles across the land. Just amazing. However, seeing it requires a vehicle that can take some bumps and shallow sand. 4-wheel not required, but high clearance is. Take the road east from Boulder, Utah. The rest of the park has all sorts of dramatic cliffs, outcroppings, painted hills, monoliths, petroglyphs - you name it. And the campground south of the visitor center is in the middle of an old, producing apple orchard. It is out of the way, but worth the trip!

[Mark Sedenquist]

I agree, Capitol Reef is often over-looked, in fact, we (RTA editorial) were just discussing future road trips we want to cover and CR is near the top of that list.

[Robert Schaller]

Take me! Take me! I want to go!
Hey, you can't beat Bob for enthusiasm...

[Syv]

I went through Capitol Reef as well when doing Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc.

Well worth it. Not to be missed.

[Utahtea]

Capitol Reef is one of my favorites too. We've been going there since the 1970's. I'd put it above Bryce Canyon National Park any day! I love the Fruita Campground.

Utahtea