After we finished our stop at Bryce Canyon, we headed for our next destination which was Capitol Reef National Park. We heard so many people say that this park is so underrated so we went into it with pretty high expectations. It honestly ended up being one of our least favorite parks, but don’t let that deter you from visiting, there is still so much to see and do here.
Things To Do At Capitol Reef National Park
So let me explain why we were a little let down by this park. A couple of the main things we had planned to see and do were closed because roads had gotten washed out. Like I mentioned there are still so many things to do and see at Capitol Reef National Park so you can always adjust your plans. Here is what to see and do:
Hike – Of course, there is always hiking to be done at National Parks. The Hickman Bridge hike is a pretty easy hike. It is rated moderate and is about a 2-mile hike with 400 ft. elevation change. If you are looking for a more strenuous hike, you could do Cassidy Arch. It is about 3.5 miles with a 670 ft. elevation change. They both give you pretty similar views of these natural arches/ bridges.
Horses in the pasture at the Gifford House 
Mule Deer grazing at dusk
Scenic Drives – Capitol Reef National Park has a few different options for scenic drives. Of course, just driving through the park is a scenic drive itself. Or there is a road that is in the park that is actually called Scenic Drive which is another great option. If you are looking for a more adventurous one Cathedral Valley would be great. They do recommend you have a 4×4 high clearance vehicle to do this one and make sure you have food, water, and fuel. There is no service and you are out in the middle of nowhere. If you decide to do this road, you should also try to see the Bentonite Hills while you are out there. There is so much to see on Cathedral Valley road so I highly recommend it if you can.
The final thing I would recommend doing is watching the wildlife at dawn and dusk. You will notice a ton of signs referring to mule deer and giving them space. If you decide to sit around and watch the wildlife you will see why. At dawn and dusk, there are so many mule deer grazing near the Gifford House. A lot of the land in the park is red rock and desert but the area near the Gifford House has orchards and grass so that is where the wildlife congregates.
Shed by the Gifford House 
Cinnamon rolls from the Gifford House
Where to Eat Near the Park
Gifford House – The Gifford House is a must! It is an old historic house that they now sell mercantile and baked goods from. They have some of the best cinnamon rolls we have ever had! It opens at 8 and you want to make sure you get there early because there is usually a line and they will sell out. They only make a certain amount and once they are gone, they are gone. They also make pies and sourdough bread so you can load up.
Rim Rock Restaurant – This is a great place for dinner and to watch the sunset over the red rocks! They have a wide variety of food and drink options. Around dinner time it gets pretty packed because there isn’t a lot of other restaurants around that are open at this time. But the staff is super nice and works extremely fast!
Torrey, Utah is pretty small and there is not a lot to it. Because of this, there are not a ton of places to eat, and a lot of them close pretty early. So make sure you plan ahead and make sure places are open.
Orchards near the Gifford House 
Happy Traveler!
Where to Stay When Visiting Capitol Reef
We stayed at the Red Sands Hotel which is about 10-15 mins from the park. They also have a bar and grill that is attached to the hotel. It was unfortunately closed for the season while we were there so we did not get to try it. But other than that, the staff is super nice and very helpful.
Some other lodging options would be camping. The park itself has plenty of campsite options. The Fruita Campsite is right beside the Gifford House and right up the road from the visitor center. There are also other hotel options around such as Capitol Reef Resort and Rim Rock Inn. A lot of the hotels are cute and rustic and nothing super fancy.
Regardless of if your plans get messed up like ours, Capitol Reef National Park still won’t disappoint. It might not have the same wow factor that some of the other parks have, but it is definitely worth going to. Plus it allows you to be able to say you have seen the Utah Big 5 National Parks. If you are looking for more stops or other National Parks to visit in Utah, check out our Ultimate Utah Road Trip Itinerary.
