Though often overlooked and underappreciated, Capitol Reef National Park has some extraordinary hiking adventures for those willing to make the journey to the park. From commanding deep canyons to panoramic vistas, the desert park has something for everyone. Listed below are five of the best hikes you’ll find within the park, ranging from easy to strenuous.
Navajo Knobs
The Navajo Knobs Trail is not only the longest maintained trail in Capitol Reef National Park, it’s also one of the most stunning. Climbing gradually up the Waterpocket Fold over the course of 5.5 miles, one outstanding view after another appears in 180 degree panoramas, culminating in a small outcropping of Navajo sandstone after climbing over 1,600 vertical feet. Along the way, you’ll pass a fork to access the popular Hickman Bridge early on, as well as an incredible aerial view of The Castle.
Don’t want to hike the full 5.5 miles? At roughly halfway you can stop at the Rim Overlook, making a great destination for those who’d prefer not to hike the full distance.
Sunset Point and the Goosenecks
Going from one of the longest hikes to one of the shortest, Sunset Point and the Goosenecks provide a massive reward for little effort. Living up to its name, Sunset Point is a must-see vantage point at sunset. With unparalleled panoramic views of the Waterpocket Fold, the sweeping vista provides an ideal setting to watch sunset from, the last day’s light creating a lightshow on the fold as only Capitol Reef National Park could produce. With the Henry Mountains capping the horizon far in the distance, it ensures a calming and beautiful end to your day.
Grand Wash
Grand Wash is a great sample of the deep canyons hiding in the Waterpocket Fold. Enormous sandstone walls create colorful and imposing narrows over the course of the easy 2.3 mile hike. Accessible from two different trailheads, it can either be done as a shorter out and back, or as a lengthier 4.5 mile round trip hike. Either way the terrain is easy and the narrows are not to be missed!
Chimney Rock Loop
The Chimney Rock Loop begins at its namesake, the strenuous 5.5 mile loop beginning shortly beyond the sandstone spire. As you climb up around the back of adjacent Mummy Cliff, the Waterpocket Fold rises high above in dramatic fashion directly to the east. Incredible views recede into distant southern horizon, the fold dominating the landscape. From on top of Mummy Cliff, Highway 24 directly below is dwarfed by the scale of the sandstone cliffs shooting up above. With views this amazing, it’s certainly worth stopping for.
Upper Muley Twist Canyon
My personal favorite on this list, the Upper Muley Twist Canyon Loop is a strenuous 10.7 mile loop that brings hikers through a narrow canyon, and then up to the top of the Waterpocket Fold. At the southern end of the park, its jaw-dropping beauty makes up for its remoteness, a quality much appreciated once there. Gorgeous canyon scenery surrounds you as you ascend a deep canyon, and as you climb out, you arise on top of the fold overlooking unfathomable desert scenery, the Strike Valley extending below into the distance. It’s a perfect day-hike, packing in a remote and wild sense of adventure before returning you to the trailhead at the end of the loop.
Conclusion
There’s no end to adventurous hiking in Capitol Reef National Park. While this short list contains many of my favorites, the park is well worth exploring more if you have the time. This will allow you to find other trails that you enjoy that aren’t listed here, and discover new wonders waiting in the labyrinths of the Waterpocket Fold.