I have been in Capitol Reef in 2008 and must say that it is one of the most stunning locations on earth. This is a short guide about what you should check out there and what not.

It might look like a giant robust bulldozer dug through this trench of the earth’s crust; but actually, the Capitol Reef is an important natural wonder. The Capitol Reef National Park has been protecting this famous place because of its significance to the immediate environment. I’ve been to the Capitol Reef park and I must say that they did a really good job in turning the place into a sight to behold for tourists and locals alike. Once you enter the park, you will be stunned by the serious high-cliffs where you can take a good look at the trench which lines the coast of Utah.

Capitol Reef is not accessible by any means of transportation except by helicopter. However, a bus service takes visitors around the park all day. Beneath the cliffs, they will see the natural formation of the Capitol Reef, which is simply a waterpocket fold that stretched all the way through until the end of the land form. This waterpocket came from the Thousand Lake Mountain all the way to the Colorado River. Just like the Grand Canyon, its geological history dates back to the early Mesozoic era, where water sedimentary deposits grew rich, thus causing the rock formations around to grow immensely. The Capitol Reef is also a waterway for the Colorado River’s smaller water systems and streams. Therefore, it is still an important land and rock formation that needs to be protected and taken cared of.

Much of the Capitol Reef National Park’s beauty is due to the colourful cliffs surrounding the area. I was hooked on admiring the multicolor cliffs and I was able to see a huge sample of the limestone rocks which have been formed at Capitol Reef. These rocks were located inside the park’s Capitol Reef exhibit. Like all land forms, there are also sections within the Capitol Reef, but most are not accessible. These sections are grouped into categories called Members. The Black Dragon Member, the Sinbad Limestone Member, the Torrey Member, and the Moody Canyon Member are those four sections within the Capitol Reef. These are what make up the pile-up of rock. Each layer measures differently. The shortest among all of them would be the Moody Canyon Member, which is only 300-400 feet thick. However, imagine how tall these rock formations really are if the shortest layer was that thick. It’s like ten Eiffel towers piled up on top of each other.

If there’s one word to describe the Capitol Reef, its existence and the madness in the way it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the desert lands, it would be magnificence. It may have been a fluke of nature, but there certainly is more history in these rock formations than say, my virgin trip to the desert lands. I have been fortunate enough to see this place unfold before my eyes. I wouldn’t think twice on visiting this park again. Capitol Reef National Park is definitely in my list of places to reach before I die.

I have been in the national park Capitol Reef in 2008 and when I now recall must say that it is one of the most beautiful places on earth I have ever seen. For everyone that plans going there I recommend you to read my short guide which will help you to decide what you really wanna do in the park.

They say it’s a fluke of nature, but the monocline which is a long wrinkle-like formation in the earth’s crust resulted into a 100-mile reef which became known as the Capitol Reef. I was fortunate enough to see this on-board a helicopter above the Utah Valley University which is located in south central Utah, near the Capitol Reef National Park field, which is eight miles west from Torrey, Utah, the town nearest Capitol Reef. There are no public transportation that will take you around the park, so it’s best to drive your own car going to the location. You will be welcomed by the stunning high-walled cliffs, and a spectacular view of the waterpocket fold once you enter Cedar City, Utah.

The Capitol Reef National Park has daily open house shuttle bus service which takes visitors around the park from the Cal Pendleton Field in the Fruita area up to the Field Station where they can take a tour around the park. The Capitol Reef Park is under the administration of the Zion National Park, and is maintained a national park.

Capitol Reef is made up mostly of the Waterpocket Fold, or that wrinkle in the earth’s crust. This place has so much history since Native Americans have also lived around the waterpocket fold in the northern part of Capitol Reef. However, due to extreme drought, the lands were abandoned eventually. The rivers which used to flow along this waterpocket fold ran from the Thousand Lake Mountain, going south until it reaches the Colorado River, now know as Lake Powell.

Capitol Reef is composed of multi-colored cliffs which inspire anyone who sees this attraction. However, behind these colourful cliffs is a history that dates back to the early Mesozoic era, and 10,000 feet of sedimentary rock formation is visible in this area. Rock deposits, such as sandstone, then later on limestone, are abundant in the cliffs. Each rock formation has unique characteristics, much like different kinds of fossils (remains of living organisms). Due to changes in climate and exposure to water and different elements, the Capitol Reef resulted into the Moenkopi Formation which has four members: the Black Dragon Member, the Sinbad Limestone Member, the Torrey Member, and the Moody Canyon Member. The youngest is the Moody Canyon Member which is only 320 to 430 feet thick.

Most of Capitol Reef Park’s attractions are amazing, and visiting the other parts of the reef is not a waste of time as well. The Capitol Dome, Hickman Bridge, the Waterpocket Fold itself, and the Cathedral Valley are must-sees in this large, extensive national park. The day’s hike isn’t so bad, despite the summer’s heat which is terribly hot in these areas, since you’d get to see a lot of amazing red rock cliffs and mountains around you while you hike along. The quirks of nature have become the most magnificent sights to behold for anyone who visits Capitol Reef. It’s only a few hours driver from sunny Nevada, and I guarantee you a great picnic and hiking adventure for the whole family to enjoy.

I slept in the Best Western Capitol Reef resort and returned to Torrey for something to have dinner. There are no supermarkets, at least I found none. So you are required to use your provisions or find a restaurant. The Capitol reef Café is recommended by several tourist guides.

The food way okay, I took cheese Tortillas and it was more than I could eat. What was really bad, I had to wait almost 2 hours for my food to arrive… They seemed overtaxed. The whole restaurant was full. The waiters were also relatively inattentive as they forgot to refill my tap water.

I rate the Capitol Reef Café with 7/10 points because of the bad service I encountered. I went Back to my Best Western and fell a sleep almost instantly :). If you like, then check out my Best Western Capitol Reef resort review.

I searched for a hotel very close to the Capitol Reef. I am a Best Western fan and was lucky to find the Best Western Capitol Reef resort, for which I would like to provide you a short review.

I did not expect it to be that good, but upon arriving I saw a tennis court, a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi. My room was very clean and looking well, with WiFi and color cable television. The bathroom had a little surprise, a Jacuzzi bathtub. Dinner and breakfast can be purchased for a few dollars. I only purchased breakfast for 6 $ and it was quite good with bacon and pancakes.

All in all I would rate the Best Western Capitol Reef resort with 9/10 points, not 10 because a chair in my room was broken. I hope you liked my review and make sure to check out my Capitol Reef review.

Here a map of the hotel:

View Larger Map

After leaving the town of Panguitch, passing through Escalante Canyon and Boulder my next stop is the town of Torrey which is the closest stop before Capitol reef. I would like to provide you a short review of Torrey.

After Panguitch I thought it would be impossible to find a lesser populated town, but Torrey and Boulder are probably the smallest towns I have seen. There is really nothing an the only reason why you want to go to Torrey is its location close to Capitol Reef. Fill up your food and drink bags, there is no supermarket in torrey. From Las Vegas to Torrey the last stop with acceptable supermarkets was St. George.

I stayed outside of Torrey in a hotel around 5 miles in front of the Capitol reef national park. If you are interested, check out my Best Western Capitol Reef resort review. For dining I went back to Torrey, to the Capitol Reef Café, for which you can also read a review written by me.

Here a map of Torrey:

View Larger Map