Loop the Fold Tour
One of the best ways to take in the Waterpocket Fold is via the 124-mile roundtrip Loop-the-Fold tour.
Plan Around Loop the Fold Tour
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Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Loop the Fold Tour Details
A visit to Capitol Reef's spectacular Waterpocket District in the south is a highlight for many park visitors. It's open year-round, although subject to weather closures, and is accessible to most vehicles with high ground clearance, such as pickup trucks, vans and a variety of passenger cars. Although these cars can usually navigate the roads here with little difficulty, conditions can vary and a 4WD vehicle is best. Highways 24 and 12 and the first 10 miles of the Notom-Bullfrog Road, from the junction with Highway 24, are paved, and the Burr Trail Road from the park boundary west to Boulder is also paved. One of the best ways to take in the Waterpocket Fold is via the 124-mile roundtrip Loop-the-Fold tour. Begin at the visitor center and follow Utah Hwy. 24 east to the Notom-Bullfrog Road. Turn right on the Notom-Bullfrog Road and drive south to the Burr Trail Road junction, where you'll turn right onto Burr Trail Road and drive west to Boulder, Utah. At Boulder, you'll turn right, heading north, on Hwy. 12 to Torrey. Finally, in Torrey, turn right (east) on Hwy. 24 to head back to the visitor center. Though the road is only 124 miles long, it's best to devote an entire day to the Loop-the-Fold tour, which has opportunities along the way for hiking or even overnight camping at the primitive Cedar Mesa Campground.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
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Region
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Nearby Parks Around Loop the Fold Tour
Compare nearby parks around Loop the Fold Tour when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Loop the Fold Tour
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Loop the Fold Tour while the map context is still fresh.
0.1 mi away
Notom-Bullfrog/Burr Trail Road to Lake Powell Tour
At the junction of the Notom Bullfrog Road and Burr Trail Road inside Capitol Reef, drivers can head south on Burr Trail, also known as BLM 12000) to Lake Powell at Bullfrog Marina.
0.6 mi away
Burr Trail Road
What began as a cattle trail, blazed by stockman John Atlantic Burr, is the present-day Burr Trail Road.
0.9 mi away
Lower Muley Twist Canyon Route
From 1881 to 1884, Lower Muley Twist Canyon served as a wagon trail for Mormon pioneers traveling south.
1.4 mi away
Upper Muley Twist Canyon Route
The rim route in Upper Muley Twist Canyon provides hikers with great views of the Waterpocket Fold and surrounding area.
1.7 mi away
Surprise Canyon Route
The short and easy Surprise Canyon Route is a 2-mile roundtrip hike.
