Last Updated on July 11, 2025 by Tami
Why Capitol Reef Steals the Show
Capitol Reef National Park steals the show without stealing your wallet because you get so much bang for your buck. It is the least visited national park in Utah, but that’s actually a good thing. With fewer crowds and so many options for things to do, you’ll love exploring this park.
The sole reason for creating Capitol Reef National Park was to protect and preserve the Waterpocket Fold found here. It’s essentially a massive, 100-mile long “wrinkle” or “monocline” in the Earth’s crust, and here’s why it’s such a standout: the earth basically folded upon itself instead of fracturing — and pushed one side of the fold 7000 feet up into the air, creating a very dramatic ridgeline or barrier.
Throughout the park, rock strata are exposed from thousands of years of time. You will see stunning rock formations here you might not see anywhere else. For just the cost of a national park admission, this stunning show is yours for the viewing.
Another reason Capitol Reef steals the show? It houses a historic pioneer village with fruit orchards, a historic barn, schoolhouse, home, and blacksmith shop. You can even stroll through the orchards during fruit season and pick and eat the fruit for free! (You must pay a small fee for any fruit you take out of the orchard with you, however.) The village of Fruita was originally settled by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is a testament to their hard work and grit as they established an orchard in the desert.
Timing Your Capitol Reef Triumph
Wondering when you should visit for maximum enjoyment and minimal cost? The best time to visit Capitol Reef is spring or fall because the temperatures are perfect for being outdoors. In the fall, you’ll even have the added splendor of colorful foliage.
Our anniversary falls at the end of June, but we learned how to make summer a great time to visit as well. For one thing, there are fewer visitors. It was quite nice to go on hikes and enjoy views mostly on our own. It was also easy to find parking spots close to trailheads. We began our hikes early in the morning, then saved mid-day and evening for scenic drives through the park when the temperatures rose. Afternoon was spent at our motel pool!
Even the winter can be a good time to have a Capitol Reef low-cost getaway. It’s the ultimate low-crowd experience. You’ll have the red rock wonderland to yourself. Snow on red cliffs certainly provides Insta-worthy photos. We once visited Capitol Reef right after Christmas. Our view of Hickman’s Bridge – a famous arch within the park – was unmarred by any other hikers. You will need to be prepared for limited services, though.
How We Explored Without Breaking the Bank
The best thing about including a national park in your travel plans is that once you’re in the park, there’s no additional cost. One of the easiest ways to explore Capitol Reef is to drive the Scenic Drive. It provides miles of gorgeous scenery for the price of gas. Unfortunately most of the Scenic Drive was closed when we visited — closed for repairs and maintenance. It will not be open again until the end of November 2025. We were a little disappointed because it cut access to a few recommended hikes we had considered. But truth be told, there were still so many other great hikes, and we didn’t have time (or energy) to do them all anyway!
Pro Tip: The Scenic Drive itself costs a small entrance fee ($20, or FREE with our Lifetime National Parks Senior Pass – a true life-saver for park lovers!) It appears that the only place a fee is collected at Capitol Reef National Park is at the entrance to the Scenic Drive, so if it’s closed, park admission is free.
One of our first stops in a national park is always to the Visitor Center. Here you can watch educational films and see exhibits discussing geology and history of the park. (It’s also where I get my National Parks Passport stamped!) You should take advantage of the expertise of park rangers and free maps offered here.
Our “Must-Do” List: Making Memories
Here’s our list of recommended hikes and things to see while enjoying a Capitol Reef low-cost getaway:
Cohab Canyon Hike
This is a moderate hike in a slot canyon with overlook views of Fruita and Highway 24. It’s 3.3 miles out and back, or you can hike to the trailheads of other hikes to make it longer. There are interesting rock formations including towers, caves, and swiss-cheese rocks filled with holes. Much of the hike is along a silty wash. Like walking on beach sand, it slows you down a bit.
Fruita Historic Area
Visit the fruit orchards, historic buildings, and Gifford House museum store. This historic “village” is a testimony of the determination, hard work, and dedication of the early pioneer settlers who founded it.
Notom Road for views of the Waterpocket Fold
Part of this road is paved, but it eventually becomes a dirt road for off-roading ATV’s and 4-wheel drive vehicles. It is one place where you can catch a great view of the Waterpocket Fold.
Petroglyphs
Rock art figures (petroglyphs) created by ancient Native Americans can be seen in several places in Capitol Reef National Park. Probably the easiest way to see them is to park in the parking lot 1.5 miles east of the visitor center on Highway 24. Walk along a winding boardwalk that parallels several cliffs with easy-to-spot illustrations etched into the rocks.
Panorama Point
A popular place to watch the sun set (or rise) because you’ll have 360-degree views of the park from this vantage point. There’s a small parking lot and a short walk up a slight hill to the viewpoint. With views like this, you can’t go wrong!
Scenic Byway 12
Scenic Byway 12 is a 122-mile route from Panguitch to Torrey — known as the All-American Road. It is best known for its sheer diversity of geography, traveling through red rock arches in Red Canyon, past Bryce Canyon and the stairs of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, and rising above the desert to 9600 feet elevation overlooking Capitol Reef National Park. We traveled south on 12 from Torrey to the Homestead Overlook and back, making stops to see views from Steep Creek Overlook and Larb Hollow Overlook. It’s an open range area, so keep an eye out for cattle on the road — we saw plenty! We also saw several deer.
Hickman’s Bridge
Hickman’s Bridge is a natural rock arch rising 125 feet tall and 133 feet across. Standing on the back side of the arch provides a stunning view through the arch to the valley beyond and more rock formations. The hike is relatively easy – only .9 miles each way. The trail is well-marked with numbered stone markers that coincide with points of interest on a nature trail (maps available at beginning of trail for .50).
Lessons Learned & Pro Tips
- Hydration is key to a good experience hiking these dry desert trails. Bring more water than you think you need, especially if the sun is out!
- Sun Protection: Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses – the sun is no joke out here.
- Proper Footwear: Don’t be “that tourist” in flip-flops. Proper hiking shoes are a must for adventurous hikes. Good athletic shoes will suffice for the easier trails.
- Leave No Trace: please keep this paradise pristine for everyone.
- Flash Flood Check: seriously, a quick stop at the Visitor Center can save your life.
- Cell Service: Prepare for a digital detox – download those maps offline! There were very few spots in the park where we had cell reception.
- National Parks Senior Pass: Our secret weapon for truly free park entries. If you’re 62 or older, this $80 lifetime pass is the best investment you’ll make!
More ways to save on your Capitol Reef Low-Cost Getaway
- Pack a picnic. We drove to Capitol Reef from Utah County and stopped at the beautiful Levan Town Park. It was shady with plenty of grass for a picnic dinner we prepared before leaving home.
- Bring snacks for your road trip.
- Choose a motel that serves complimentary breakfast. We highly recommend Broken Spur Inn & Steakhouse — only 15 minutes from the entrance of Capitol Reef National Park. Location and extras make all the difference, including spacious rooms, a swimming pool to escape afternoon heat, a fire pit for cool evenings, and outdoor games to play. Plus there are the cutest Conestoga wagons you can sleep in! Our dinner at the Steakhouse was delicious and very reasonably priced. Broken Spur Inn rates 8.6 out of 10 on Booking.com with prices ranging from under $100 per night to $199, depending on size of room and time of year.
(Note: I am a Booking.com affiliate — if you book through my links in this article, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
- Visit the Chuck Wagon General Store — we picked up postcards and ice cream here for less than more touristy spots.
- You should also consider camping at Capitol Reef. Here’s some information about developed and primitive camping in the park.
What will convince you to plan a Capitol Reef low-cost getaway?
If getting away from the city and into God’s beautiful creations appeals to you, you’ll love Capitol Reef. If you like breathtaking hikes and otherworldly scenery, this is the place for you! And if you’d like to enjoy a wonderful getaway without spending a fortune, what are you waiting for?! My husband and I loved our Capitol Reef low-cost getaway. Pretty sure you will, too.
Note: National parks make some of the best locations for low-cost getaways. If you’d like to consider other national parks, here are a few reviews I’ve written to help you decide:
Sequoia National Park in One Day
Channel Islands NP: Santa Cruz Island Day Trip
Pinnacles National Park in a Day
