Contents
Capitol Reef National Park | Introduction | Travel Notes
Capitol Reef National Park Dome Reef National Park, also known as Capitol Reef National Park, is located in south-central Utah, and is one of the six national parks in Grand Circle, Utah (including Grand Canyon National Park). Dome Reef National Park is famous for its colorful geology and history. The most important topographic feature is the river valley folds, where over 100 kilometers of crushed rock from the continental plates form a continuous cliff that reveals the original gray to brick-red geological structure deep below the surface.
Capitol Reef National Park is more famous than the neighboringZion National Park,Bryce National Park,Arches National ParkCapitol Reef National Park is a small town, but because it is on the road that must be traveled before these national parks, most of the tourists who come to Utah for self-drive tour will pass by here. If you arrange to visit Capitol Reef National Park in your driving itinerary, you should be aware that there are very few places to stay in the nearby towns, not even a few gas stations. The more suitable places to find accommodation are Green River and Tropic, and you need to prepare your lunch first if you spend your lunch time in the park. Torrey is the closest town before Capitol Reef National Park, but it is not very busy. There is a visitor center in the town, so you can get a map here first.
Compare prices for accommodation near Capitol Reef National Park
Compared with other national parks in Grand circle, Utah, the actual area of Dome Reef National Park looks much bigger on the map, but the actual tour time is not very long, because the main scenic routes accessible by car are east-west oriented, and it only takes two to three hours for tourists to finish the tour. For example, on this day, we traveled from Tropic, where we stayed the night before, along Route 12, through the town of Torrey to the scenic route of Dome Reef National Park, and then traveled eastward through the National Park, stopping at Green River, where we stayed on the same day, which took us more than four hours if we didn't stop for a while.
Before entering Dome Reef | Scenic Byway 12 | Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Before entering Dome Reef National Park, this section of Scenic Road 12 is very scenic and worth a visit. This section of the road passes by the grand staircase-escalante national monument and Dixie national forest, the scenery is much better than the Dome Reef National Park area, which is the main focus of the itinerary, and we recommend stopping at the viewpoints along the roadside when you have the chance.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 1 capitol reef national park, Dome Reef National Park 1](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-00-50-04.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 2 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 2](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-00-54-19.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 3 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 3](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-01-09-25.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 4 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 4](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-01-23-02.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 5 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 5](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-01-23-46.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 6 capitol reef national park, Dome Reef National Park 6](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-01-23-56.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 7 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 7](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-01-24-02.jpg)
Capitol Reef National Park | Attractions
The route of Capitol Reef National Park is very simple. After entering the park, there is only one road in front of the Visitor Center, just drive all the way forward. The visitor center is in the middle of the road, and near the Fruita Historic District, it is the only place in the park where you will encounter a fork in the road. Turning to the south, you can drive an extra section of the Scenic Drive, and the Scenic Drive to the south can only turn back when you have reached the end of the road, so it is worthwhile to make a detour and take a look at the park. After half a day of enjoying the strange rocks and wonders along the way, we drove out of the Dome Reef Park without realizing it.
Twin Rocks
If you enter the park from the west direction like we did, the first attraction is Twin Rocks, which you can see from the roadside.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 8 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 8](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-13-00-29.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 9 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 9](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-13-00-32.jpg)
Chimney Rock
Chimney rock, not far from Twin rocks, is quite famous. There is a short and nice trail, Chimney rock trail, the view from the high ground is quite nice, if you are not in a hurry, it is worth to come down and walk.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 10 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 10](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-13-05-19.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 11 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 11](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-13-08-11.jpg)
Panorama Point
Panorama point is said to be the best place for air quality in 48 states in the continental United States, with an extremely wide field of view, and when the weather is good, you can see 235 kilometers away (the average field of view is 15 kilometers in Ohio river valley). Looking west of the waterpocket fold from here, the photo shows the Chinle formation under the mountain, the pink wingate sandstone above it, and the gray Navajo sandstone exposed behind the right side. This vast landscape is now at risk from human influence, as air pollution from California and Arizona is gradually affecting the view from Panorama point.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 12 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 12](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-13-18-10.jpg)
Gooseneck Overlook Trail
The Gooseneck Overlook Trail is only 600 feet long, and at the end of the trail is Gooseneck Point, where the S-shaped canyon cut by Sulphur creek 800 feet deep is clearly visible from the heights.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 13 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 13](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-13-33-35.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 14 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 14](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-13-43-41.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 15 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 15](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-13-34-10.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 16 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 16](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-14-04-12.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 17 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 17](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-14-17-18.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 18 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 18](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-14-16-09.jpg)
The Castle
The castle is a rocky outcrop that looks like a castle and is a landmark of Capitol Reef National Park.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 19 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 19](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-04-38-47.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 20 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 20](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-04-39-49.jpg)
Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center
At the midway point of the journey is the Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center, which stands amidst the pristine landscapes of the West, and the views are actually quite breathtaking.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 21 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 21](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-51-13.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 22 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 22](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-14-40-33.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 23 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 23](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-14-38-21.jpg)
Scenic Drive | Grand Wash Cliff
Our strategy was to take the 16km long Scenic Drive to the Grand wash after the visitor center, and save the Fruita Historic District for the rest of the way back. You don't need to know much about the geology to see that the rock textures along the way are different from the rest, and that you're passing through the highlights of the waterpocket folds of the entire Dome Reef Valley.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 24 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 24](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-33-06.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 25 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 25](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-33-17.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 26 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 26](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-34-27.jpg)
You need to pay the national park entrance fee to enter the Scenic Drive. The scenery along the way is quite spectacular, so if you have enough time, don't miss this scenic drive. If you have enough time, don't miss this scenic drive. There is a sign at the entrance that says you can't enter when the weather is bad, because if it rains, it will flood suddenly, which will cause a lot of danger. We originally wanted to walk through the Grand wash trail, there is an unpaved road that you need to cross to enter the Grand wash trail, but the weather turned bad soon after we drove in, so we ended up just seeing the Grand wash cliff and left.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 27 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 27](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-34-47-1.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 28 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 28](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-36-31-1.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 29 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 29](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-39-44.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 30 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 30](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-41-30-1404780488.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 31 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 31](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-42-29-1404780532.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 32 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 32](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-15-33-52.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 33 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 33](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-15-34-10.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 34 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 34](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-15-53-32.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 35 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 35](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-16-36-45.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 36 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 36](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-16-37-26.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 37 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 37](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-52-20.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 38 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 38](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-53-11.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 39 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 39](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-03-07.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 40 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 40](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-08-51.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 41 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 41](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-09-32.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 42 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 42](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-12-08.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 43 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 43](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-18-16.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 44 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 44](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-19-53.jpg)
There is a viewpoint in front of Capitol gorge where you can see EPH Hanks tower.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 45 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 45](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-05-54-32.jpg)
Fruita Historic District
After walking the scenic road, we returned to visit the Fruita Historic District, which is the site of many of the Mormon settlers who stayed here. It is not known exactly when these Mormons came here, only that it was around the end of the 19th century. Small settlements were established here, and due to the enclosed terrain and lack of communication with the outside world, the villagers continued to use the old farming methods and lifestyles of the past until World War II, giving these rare remnants of the past a unique and old-fashioned flavor. What remains are the farmhouses and farms of the past.
Gifford Farm House
The original house has now been converted into a small store, and the interior still retains traces of the Mormons who lived here in the past.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 47 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 47](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-25-32.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 48 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 48](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-31-37.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 49 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 49](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-33-12.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 50 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 50](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-27-23.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 51 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 51](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-27-51.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 52 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 52](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-31-30.jpg)
Petroglyph Panel
In addition to Mormon settlers, Indians have lived here since much earlier. After a short hike, the Petroglyph Panel's entire spectacular wall is still covered with ancient stone carvings.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 53 capitol reef national park, Dome Reef National Park 53](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-16-58-09.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 54 capitol reef national park, Dome Reef National Park 54](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-16-58-22.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 55 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 55](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-07-20-14.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 56 capitol reef national park, Dome Reef National Park 56](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-07-08-54.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 57 capitol reef national park, Dome Reef National Park 57](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-07-09-06.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 58 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 58](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-07-21-21.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 59 capitol reef national park, Dome Reef National Park 59](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-06-57-53.jpg)
Pectols Pyramid
Continuing east out of the Fruita Historic District, there are a few more spectacular sights within a short drive, the Pectols pyramid is a pyramid shaped rock.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 60 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 60](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-08-21-42.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 61 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 61](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-07-36-02.jpg)
Capitol Dome
Capitol Dome is a huge semi-circular shaped reef, in fact, Capitol Reef National Park is named after it. The best place to see Capitol Dome is on the Hickman Bridge Trail, but if you don't have time to take the trail, you can see it from the car.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 62 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 62](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-07-25-47.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 63 Capitol reef national park 圓頂礁國家公園](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-08-18-50.jpg)
Navajo Dome
Navajo Dome is quite strange and I think it is more special than Capitol Dome.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 64 capitol reef national park, Dome Reef National Park 63](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-07-30-05.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 65 capitol reef national park, Dome Reef National Park 64](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-17-34-54.jpg)
Hickman Bridge Trail
Hickman bridge trail is of medium difficulty, 0.9 miles one way is not too long, and the trail is generally gentle, but because of the sandy ground and the hot weather, it would take a lot of effort to walk on it. This is a circular trail, with the Hickman Bridge in the middle of the trail. Along with the rocky outcrop next to the bridge, you can climb up to the high point to have a spectacular view of the surrounding area.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 66 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 65](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-17-48-44.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 67 capitol reef national park, dome reef national park 66](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-17-52-40.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 68 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 67](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-07-57-25.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 69 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 68](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-07-57-52.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 70 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 69](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-07-53-48.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 71 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 70](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-28-08-00-02.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 72 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 71](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-18-04-26.jpg)
Behunin cabin
The Behunin cabin, the last site we visited before leaving the park on the east side, is a brick hut and a remnant of the early settlers, the Behunin family of ten who lived in this tiny, rough-hewn house and made their living in the desert.
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 73 Capitol Reef National Park, Dome Reef National Park 72](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-18-42-44.jpg)
![Grand Circle] Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Tour 74 capitol reef national park, Dome Reef National Park 73](https://blog.travelhackfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/batch_2014-06-27-18-42-47.jpg)
Further reading
- More View of Grand Circle
- More Utah Attractions
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