Cathedral Valley Loop
One of the most popular ways to take in the Cathedral Valley is via the Cathedral Valley Loop Tour.
Plan Around Cathedral Valley Loop
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
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.
Cathedral Valley Loop Details
The northern Cathedral Valley provides some of Capitol Reef's most stunning scenery. Vehicles with high ground clearance, even those lacking four-wheel drive, should be able to negotiate the roads here without too much trouble. Road conditions can vary considerably depending on the weather, though, so check with the visitor center before you go. One of the most popular ways to take in the Cathedral Valley is via the Cathedral Valley Loop Tour. It's a 57.6-mile loop, and most visitors drive it clockwise, beginning on Hartnet Road off Highway 24, 11.7 miles east of the Capitol Reef Visitor Center. Drivers continue on Hartnet Road for about 28 miles to Hartnet Junction, where they'll turn right (north) onto Cathedral Road and drive for about 30 miles back to Highway 24 to complete the loop. Bear in mind that traveling the south end of the Hartnet Road near Highway 24 requires fording the Fremont River, as there's no bridge. Water levels are normally a foot or less, but do not attempt to cross it with your vehicle during floods or any other periods of high water. Ask at the visitor center about the river crossing before you set out.
Difficulty
Low
Distance
N/A
Estimated time
N/A
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Cathedral Valley Loop
Compare nearby parks around Cathedral Valley Loop when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Cathedral Valley Loop
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Cathedral Valley Loop while the map context is still fresh.
2.6 mi away
Upper South Desert Overlook Trail
The short, .4-mile roundtrip Upper South Desert Overlook offers, as the name would suggest, a great view over the upper reaches of South Desert.
2.9 mi away
Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook Trail
The 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.
3.0 mi away
Cathedrals Trail
The 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.
3.4 mi away
Cathedral Valley Campground
Cathedral Campground is one of Capitol Reef National Park's two primitive campgrounds.
3.4 mi away
Morrell Cabin Trail
This short, easy hike is .4-mile round trip, and begins 1.8 miles north of the junction of the Hartnet and Cathedral Roads.
