Capitol Reef National Park Custom Search The Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile long wrinkle in the earth's crust known as a monocline, extends from nearby Thousand Lakes Mountain to the Colorado River (now Lake Powell). Capitol Reef National Park was established to protect this grand and colorful geologic feature, as well as the unique historical and cultural history found in the area.   CONTACTS Email - CARE_Interpretation@nps.gov Fax- 435-425-3026 Write to HC 70 Box 15 Torrey, UT 84775-9602 Phone Visitor Information - 435-425-3791 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons The park and campgrounds are open year round. The Visitor Center is open daily (except Christmas Day) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with extended hours during the summer season. Getting There PLANE - Nearest major airport is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, approximately 250 miles north of the park. CAR - Capitol Reef National Park is located in south-central Utah on Utah Highway 24. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no public transportation to the park. Weather & Climate Summer tempertures often climb into the upper 90s (F), but nights cool down into the 50s (F) and 60s (F). The thunderstorm season from July through September brings cloudbursts, flash floods and lightning. Spring and fall are milder with highs generally in the 50s (F) and 60s (F). Daytime winter highs average less than 50 (F). Snowfall is usually light, especially at lower elevations. Humidity is low all year. Accessibility A number of facilities and activities are accessible to the disabled. The Visitor Center and its restroom facilities are moderately accessible. The restrooms in the picnic ground and in loop “B” and “C” in the Fruita campground are also accessible. The amphitheater programs accommodate sensory and mobility impaired individuals. Getting Around Utah Highway 24 runs east and west through the park. The Scenic Drive (25 mile round-trip)begins at the Visitor Center. Other dirt roads traverse the park both north and south of Highway 24. Be sure to check current conditions before heading out on these backcountry roads. CAMPING Cathedral Valley Campground Open All Year Cathedral Valley campground offers primitive camping. Camping is free. Pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire grates are the only facilities available. There is no water. For More Information on this campground please call 435-425-3791 Cedar Mesa Campground Open All Year Cedar Mesa campground offers primitive camping. Camping is free. Pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire grates are the only facilities available. There is no water. For More Information on this campground please call 435-425-3791 Fruita Campground Open All Year The 71 site Fruita campground is the only developed campground in the park offering picnic tables, restrooms, water, and a dump station. It is open year-round For More Information on this campground please call 435-425-3791 LODGING none available in the park There is no lodging in the park. For information on nearby accommodations, visit the Wayne County Travel Council website: www.capitolreef.org or the Garfield County Travel Council website at: www.brycecanyoncountry.com FACILITIES Visitor Centers CAPITOL REEF VISITOR CENTER Open All Year 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (extended summer hours) Phone - 435-425-3791 ext. 111 Location - The Visitor Center is located 10 miles east of the town of Torrey, Utah or 37 miles west of the town of Hanksville, Utah on Utah Highway 24. Closures - Closed Christmas Day. Special Programs - A variety of brochures, books, and maps are available for sale. Rangers are on duty to answer questions and provide information including travel and trail information, road conditions and weather updates. Exhibits - The visitor center museum offers an overview of park features and includes exhibits on geology, archeology, and history as well as a short orientation slide program. Available Facilities - Restrooms available 24 hours a day.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Capitol Reef National Park.   Campgrounds Near Capitol Reef National Park: Boulder Mountain Homestead RV, Teasdale, 3 miles away Singletree Campground, Cedar City, 8 miles away Fruita Campground, Wayne County, 9 miles away Sandcreek RV Park, Torrey, 10 miles away Elkhorn Campground, Wayne County, 10 miles away Aquarius Mobile and RV Campground, Wayne County, 10 miles away Pine Creek Campground, Garfield County, 12 miles away   Hotels Near Capitol Reef National Park: Best Western Capitol Reef Resort, Torrey , 1 miles away Howard Johnson Capitol Reef, Torrey , 1 miles away Red Sands Hotel, Torrey , 1 miles away Days Inn Torrey - Capital Reef, Torrey , 2 miles away Hampton Inn Richfield, Sevier , 41 miles away Budget Host Inn Richfield, Richfield , 42 miles away Rodeway Inn Salina, Salina , 48 miles away   Trails Near Capitol Reef National Park: Stair Trail, Wayne County , 6 miles away Jackson Dugway, Wayne County , 13 miles away Aquarius Trail, Wayne County , 15 miles away Pollywog Lake Trail, Wayne County , 17 miles away Indian Trail, Garfield County , 19 miles away   Ski Areas Near Capitol Reef National Park: Elk Meadows, Utah , 70 miles away, 1400 foot drop, 6 lifts, 36 runs   Whitewater Near Capitol Reef National Park: Fremont River, Wayne County , 4 miles away, Class III-V+ - 16 miles long (Torrey to Waterfall) Escalante River, Garfield / Wayne / Kane County , 29 miles away, Class I-II - 70 miles long (Calf Creek to Coyote Gulch) Muddy Creek, Emery / Wayne County , 30 miles away, Class I-III - 72 miles long (I-70 to Hanksville)   Public Lands Near Capitol Reef National Park: Natural Bridges National Monument, Lake Powell - UT , 58 miles away Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon - UT , 63 miles away Dixie National Forest, Utah , 27 miles away Fishlake National Forest, Utah , 29 miles away Escalante State Park, Utah , 33 miles away   Lakes Near Capitol Reef National Park Torgerson Lake, Wayne County , 11 miles away