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Rim Overlook/Navajo Knobs TrailThis strenuous trail is actually two trails in one, beginning at the Hickman Bridge Trail trailhead.
Hiking, Capitol Reef National Park
Explore Hiking in Capitol Reef National Park with grouped stops, trails, and related park places collected under the same planning theme.
Hiking Stops and Trip Ideas
Use this Hiking guide to compare the stops that belong together in Capitol Reef National Park, then decide which ones deserve map time or a saved trip stop.
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Old Wagon TrailScenic Drive in Capitol Reef park began as a wagon trail in the late 1800s, serving as a passage through the rugged Waterpocket Fold.
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Goosenecks TrailNot a hike but a stroll, the Goosenecks Trail leads just 600 feet from the parking lot to Goosenecks Point.
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Sunset Point TrailThe very short, easy Sunset Point Trail is a mere 4/10 of a mile from the parking area to the scenic Sunset Point overlook.
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Capitol Gorge TrailAlthough only a 1-mile route (one-way) the easy Capitol Gorge Trail passes plenty of history in its short distance.
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Grand Wash TrailGrand Wash connects Hwy. 24 and the Fremont River with Scenic Drive, and is one of only six drainages cutting east-west through the 100-mile Waterpocket Fold.
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Cohab Canyon TrailThe Cohab Canyon Trail is a 1.7-mile hike that begins beside the Fruita Campground.
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Fremont River TrailThis mostly easy 2-mile, out-and-back trail begins with a walk along the Fremont River and ends with a steep climb to a scenic panorama.
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Hickman Bridge TrailHickman Bridge Trail is a .9-mile, moderately strenuous out-and-back trail, which offers access to a 133-foot natural bridge as well as some great high-desert views.
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Cassidy Arch TrailThe 1.7-mile one-way Cassidy Arch Trail shares a trailhead with Grand Wash Trail, and offers a view of the eponymous Cassidy Arch, named for legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy.
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Fremont Gorge Overlook TrailThe 4.6-mile one-way Fremont Gorge Overlook hike begins just under a mile down Scenic Drive from the visitor center.
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Frying Pan TrailThe Frying Pan Trail across high ridgetops can be hiked from either the Grand Wash trailhead or the Cohab Canyon trailhead, and acts largely as 2.9-mile connector between Cohab Canyon and the Cassidy Arch Trail.
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Golden Throne TrailThe 2-mile one-way Golden Throne Trail offers great views of the trail's namesake, a 7,042-foot sandstone dome that shines yellow when hit by the sun
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Sulphur Creek RouteA perennial stream, Sulphur Creek has cut a deep canyon through the oldest rocks at Capitol Reef.
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Spring Canyon RoutesThe Lower Spring Canyon trail is a strenuous 9.7-mile hike from the Chimney Rock parking area to the Fremont River.
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Pleasant Creek RoutePleasant Creek runs year round and offers two backcountry hikes, one from upper Pleasant Creek to the west park boundary, and one from lower Pleasant Creek to the east park boundary.
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Jailhouse Rock and Temple Rock RouteCapitol Reef's remote northern Cathedral District offers a number of trails, including the Jailhouse Rock and Temple Rock Route.
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Lower Cathedral Valley Overlooks RouteThis hike in the remote Cathedral District offers a unique bird's eye view of the Temples of the Sun and Moon Monoliths.
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Upper South Desert Overlook TrailThe short, .4-mile roundtrip Upper South Desert Overlook offers, as the name would suggest, a great view over the upper reaches of South Desert.
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Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook TrailThe short .2-mile roundtrip Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook is an easy hike, highlighted by panoramic views of a line of monoliths in the valley known as the Cathedrals.
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Morrell Cabin TrailThis short, easy hike is .4-mile round trip, and begins 1.8 miles north of the junction of the Hartnet and Cathedral Roads.
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Cathedrals TrailThe 2.4 mile out-and-back Cathedrals Trail hike follows along a low ridge line, which parallels the line of monoliths known as the Cathedrals.
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Burro Wash RouteBurro Wash, Cottonwood Wash and Sheets Gulch are all classic slot canyons accessible via unmarked backcountry routes.
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Cottonwood Wash RouteCottonwood Wash, Burro Wash and Sheets Gulch are all classic slot canyons accessible via unmarked backcountry routes.
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Sheets Gulch RouteSheets Gulch, Burro Wash and Cottonwood Wash are all classic slot canyons accessible via unmarked backcountry routes.
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Red Canyon Trail and RouteThe Red Canyon Trail and Route is an easy-to-moderate 5.6-mile roundtrip hike.
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Surprise Canyon RouteThe short and easy Surprise Canyon Route is a 2-mile roundtrip hike.
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Headquarters Canyon RouteThe easy 3.2-mile round-trip Headquarters Canyon hike features sheer, vertical walls and colorful slopes of Navajo sandstone.
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Strike Valley Overlook TrailThe very short .9-mile round trip Strike Valley Overlook hike does proved some challenge nonetheless.
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Upper Muley Twist Canyon RouteThe rim route in Upper Muley Twist Canyon provides hikers with great views of the Waterpocket Fold and surrounding area.
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Lower Muley Twist Canyon RouteFrom 1881 to 1884, Lower Muley Twist Canyon served as a wagon trail for Mormon pioneers traveling south.
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Halls Creek Narrows RouteThe route to Halls Creek Narrows traverses a trail between the high cliffs of Hall Mesa on one side and the slickrock slopes of the Waterpocket Fold on the other.
