Return to Capitol Reef National Park

Grand Wash, Capitol Reef National Park, August 2020 After more than five years away, yours truly finally had the chance to return to Capitol Reef National Park in central Utah, where I spent a lovely winter as a seasonal interpretive volunteer. Having effectively already covered all the hikes in the park in previous posts (see …

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Sulphur Creek (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

The 5.5-mile ramble down Sulphur Creek Canyon in Capitol Reef National Park has been held dear by residents of Utah’s Wayne County for decades. Rising visitation to Capitol Reef—as well as the advent of the Internet—has led to a wider audience, and the popularity of this wet and beautiful hike has risen dramatically in recent …

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Goosenecks Trail (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

The hike to Goosenecks Overlook in Capitol Reef National Park is not much of a hike at all, and the round trip can be completed in as little as 5-10 minutes. The 600-foot trail, however, does lead to a fine viewpoint of Sulphur Creek as it snakes its way through a rugged canyon 800 feet …

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Sunset Point Trail (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)

Not surprisingly, one of the most popular questions at the Visitor Center in Capitol Reef National Park is: “Where should I go for the sunset?” Well, we have a hike for that—aptly named the “Sunset Point Trail.” This short jaunt—2/3 mile round trip—features sweeping vistas of the Waterpocket Fold, Capitol Reef’s defining geological feature, as …

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