Hiking
There are plentiful options for day hikes in the Fruita area of Capitol Reef, as well as numerous backcountry routes for more serious hikers.
Guide Sections
Use Hiking's guide sections to understand how this stop fits into the larger park plan.
Hiking Details
Difficulty
Open
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
Activities
Capitol Reef National Park has plentiful options for day hikes in the Fruita area of the park, as well as numerous backcountry routes for more serious hikers. There are 15 day hiking trails in the Fruita area, with trailheads located along Utah Highway 24 and the Scenic Drive. There are lots of types of terrain, from smooth paths to strenuous hikes over uneven terrain near cliff edges. Hikers may visit a narrow gorge or the top of high cliffs. Round-trip distances vary from less than 0.25 miles to 10 miles. All trails are well-marked, with signs at the trailhead and at trail junctions and by cairns along the way. There are a number of backcountry hikes available in the park as well, through gorges and slot canyons and to viewpoints atop the Waterpocket Fold. Popular backcountry hikes in the southern section of the park include Upper and Lower Muley Twist Canyons and Halls Creek.