Most hikers in Capitol Reef National Park will stick to the 15 maintained trails in the principal Fremont River District. But it is the remote and scintillating backcountry that harbors the park’s greatest gems. After last month presenting a (subjective) list of the ten best hikes in the park’s “frontcountry,” this post will outline the …
Continue reading Top 10 Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park’s “Backcountry”
Spring Canyon—a winding gorge that cuts roughly east-west through Capitol Reef National Park—is traditionally segmented into two parts: a lengthy upper section beginning outside the park’s western boundary and a shorter, narrower lower portion that spits out at the Fremont River. Visitors with limited time should prioritize Lower Spring Canyon, which boasts some of the …
Continue reading Upper Spring Canyon (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)
Recording roughly 700,000 visitors per year—many of whom had never heard of the place before stumbling upon it—Capitol Reef National Park is much less touted that in its famous neighbors: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Zion. The reward of Capitol Reef? A much higher likelihood of solitude. Visiting during the winter months almost guarantees such …
Spring Canyon—a popular overnight destination in Capitol Reef National Park—is often considered in two separate parts: a lengthy upper canyon that begins outside the park’s western boundary and a roughly 7-mile lower portion. Chimney Rock Canyon, accessed by way of the well-maintained Chimney Rock Trail, provides the most popular access to both sections. At 9.9 …
Continue reading Lower Spring Canyon (Capitol Reef National Park, UT)
Live and Let Hike 