Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Capitol Reef National Park Fruita Area Map and Guide Visitor Center to Torrey 11mi (17km) k oc y R ute e n Ro im Ch nyon a C Chimney Rock Trail Lo Chimney Rock Panorama Point 24 Sunset Point Trail Goosenecks Overlook Su lph ur Cre Ri m Ov lo ok ajo Parking Area Viewpoint on Ro 1 0 e 1 2 miles 3 2 5500ft 1676m Ro il 1.9mi / 3.0km ute Capitol Dome 6120ft 1865m yon Can r Rive 2.6mi 4.2km b a Coh Fremont River Trail km Frying Pan Trail F 2.2mi 3.5km Visitor Center to Caineville 19mi (31km) to Hanksville 37mi (60km) nt il sh d an a W a Tr Gr Cassidy Arch Trail Danish Hill o rem 24 Fr em Picnic Area Hickman Bridge sT ra Rim Overlook t Campground North Kn ob Fremont Gorge Overlook Trail on Hiking Trails av The Castle r ive Restrooms 0 /N 1.3mi 2.0km R Ca ut Visitor Center ek rin Unpaved Roads ny er 3.0mi 4.9km Sp g Navajo Knobs 6979ft 2127m Visitor Center Backcountry Hiking Routes Year-round Streams w er Paved Roads Cassidy Arch sh Wa nd Gra oad m) R 2.0k mi / 3 . 1 ( Fruita Historic District Visitor Center r Petroglyph Panel ic phu en Sul Fruita Schoolhouse North Picnic Area Blacksmith Shop Slickrock Divide Gifford House l rai k T Amphitheater o rlo R t r ive t R Trail Group Site (reserved) n mo Fre er Fee Station Dr iv e Cohab Canyon Trail Old Wagon Trail 0 0 ive Fremon iv S c e n ic e Ov ! 4.5mi 7.2km Flash flood hazards exist. Avoid canyons during storms. Don’t cross floodwaters; climb high to safety. Roads may be closed during flood events. Dr n mo Fre rge o tG • Stay on established trails. • Backcountry hiking routes are not maintained. Creek Ripple Rock Nature Center • Bring food, water, and emergency supplies. • Do not build new cairns (stacked rocks) or destroy existing ones. Sc 24 Hiking Tips 0.1 0.1 0.2 Golden Throne 7042ft 2146m Go lde 0.2 mi. 0.3 km Pleasant Creek Road (high clearance recommended) nT The Tanks hro Pioneer Register ne Tra il Capitol Gorge Road (2.4mi / 3.8km) Capitol Gorge Trail Trail Guide Strenuous Moderate Easy Elevation change refers to the difference between the highest and lowest points of the trail. USE CAUTION: Natural hazards exist, including rockfall, lightning, flash floods, and steep drop-offs. Trail One-way Distance Elevation Change Features Goosenecks 0.1 mi (0.2 km) <50 ft (<15 m) dramatic canyon views Sunset Point 0.4 mi (0.6 km) <50 ft (<15 m) panorama, good for sunset Capitol Gorge 1.0 mi (1.6 km) 80 ft (24 m) deep canyon, historic inscriptions, short climb to waterpockets (“tanks”) Grand Wash 2.2 mi (3.6 km) 200 ft (61 m) deep canyon, narrows Cohab Canyon 1.7 mi (2.7 km) 440 ft (134 m) hidden canyons, views of Fruita, panoramas at spur trail viewpoints Fremont River 1.0 mi (1.7 km) 480 ft (146 m) easy stroll along river, then steep climb to panoramas Hickman Bridge 0.9 mi (1.4 km) 400 ft (122 m) 133-foot natural bridge, canyon views Cassidy Arch 1.7 mi (2.8 km) 670 ft (204 m) natural arch, slickrock, canyon views Chimney Rock Loop (round trip) 3.6 mi (5.9 km) 590 ft (180 m) panoramas of Waterpocket Fold cliffs, good for sunset Fremont Gorge Overlook 2.3 mi (3.6 km) 1,090 ft (332 m) short climb to open mesa top, ends at high viewpoint on rim of gorge Frying Pan 2.9 mi (4.6 km) 810 ft (247 m) connects Cohab Canyon and Cassidy Arch trails, ridgetop panoramas Golden Throne 2.0 mi (3.2 km) 730 ft (223 m) views of Capitol Gorge and Golden Throne Old Wagon Trail Loop (round trip) 3.8 mi (6.1 km) 1,080 ft (329 m) pinyon-juniper forest, views of cliffs and Henry Mountains Rim Overlook 2.3 mi (3.6 km) 1,110 ft (338 m) panoramas of Fruita and Waterpocket Fold from atop dramatic cliff Navajo Knobs 4.7 mi (7.6 km) 1,620 ft (494 m) continuation of Rim Overlook Trail, 360-degree mountaintop panorama Fruita Area Map and Guide What to do in the Fruita area if you have... ...a half day: • • • • • • • Capitol Reef became a national monument in 1937 and a national park in 1971. The park preserves unique geologic features, important archeological evidence, diverse plant and animal communities, and the homesteads and stories of early Mormon pioneer settlers. Drive the Scenic Drive; tour guide available at bookstore Stroll the Goosenecks trail and enjoy the geology along Highway 24 Watch the park movie at the visitor center View the Fremont petroglyph panels along Highway 24 Hike to Hickman Bridge Discover Mormon pioneer history at the historic Gifford House store and museum Have a picnic by the Fremont River ...a whole day: • • • • • Attend a ranger-guided activity Become a Junior Ranger Walk to historic inscriptions on the Capitol Gorge Trail Hike a longer trail such as Chimney Rock, Grand Wash, Cassidy Arch, or Cohab Canyon Wander through the historic fruit orchards and pick fruit when in season Exploring Fruita Visitor Center The visitor center is open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm with extended hours spring through fall. A park movie, exhibits, information, and park staff are available. Capitol Reef Natural History Association sells books, maps, hats, shirts, and more; proceeds support park operations. More information can be found at www.capitolreefnha.org. Gifford House The historic Gifford House store and museum is open spring through fall. Exhibits on Mormon pioneer history are on display. Fresh-baked pies and breads, books, and a variety of locally hand-crafted items are for sale; proceeds support park-specific projects. Fruita Cliffs Orchards Capitol Reef maintains one of the largest historic orchards in the National Park Service with almost 3,000 trees, including apple, peach, pear, apricot, cherry, and plum. Flowering typically occurs from February into May, and harvest generally occurs June through October. Fruit is free to sample while in orchards; a small fee is charged for fruit taken out of the orchards. Fremont Petroglyphs Petroglyphs From 600 to 1300 C.E., native people of the Fremont Culture made their home at Capitol Reef. Petroglyphs carved into the Wingate sandstone remind us of their time. The petroglyph panels, which include images of anthropomorphs and bighorn sheep, are located along Highway 24 1.1 miles (1.7 km) east of the visitor center. Geologic Features Capitol Dome can be seen looking east from the Hickman Bridge trailhead along Highway 24. This Navajo sandstone feature was named for its resemblance to the US Capitol. This dome, along with the nearly 100-mile (160-km) Waterpocket Fold (a barrier of rock that obstructed early travelers like a barrier “reef”), inspired the park’s name. The Castle and Fruita Cliffs can be viewed from the visitor center. Panorama Point provides scenic vistas. Enjoy Your Visit, Protect Your Park Gifford House Discover and Learn Capitol Reef National Park was established to preserve the natural and cultural resources in this area and to provide for public benefit and enjoyment. The following activites are PROHIBITED: • Collecting, possessing, destroying, or removing rocks, plants, animals, artifacts, firewood, or other park resources. • Leaving graffiti or rock piles, or any other actions that deface or damage park resources. • ATV/UTV use and off-road vehicular travel. • Use of firearms. • Feeding, approaching, or harassing wildlife. Please obey the following regulations: • Leashed pets and bicycles are allowed only on public roadways, in established campgrounds, and on the trail from the visitor center to the campground. They are not permitted on other trails, backcountry routes, or in off-trail areas. • Yield to wildlife and pedestrians and obey speed limits. Use caution on narrow roads. • Camp only in designated campgrounds. Permits are required for backcountry camping. • Make fires only in a campground fire grill. Free Ranger Programs Spring through fall, the park offers geology talks, Fremont Culture talks, evening programs, stargazing, moonwalks, and geology hikes as staffing allows. Ripple Rock Nature Center Enjoy interactive exhibits, games and activites, and free educational programs. Open in summer. Junior Rangers Kids of all ages can complete activities in the Junior Ranger booklet and earn a badge (allow 1-2 hours to complete). Online Continue learning about Capitol Reef at www.nps.gov/care and at the park’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Nearby Services Camping/Lodging Commercial campgrounds and motels are located in Torrey, Caineville, and Hanksville. Federal lands are located adjacent to the park and offer established campgrounds and dispersed camping. Laundry/Showers Laundry facilities and public showers are available in Torrey. Food Snacks are available at the visitor center, and at the Gifford House store and museum. The nearest groceries and restaurants are located in Torrey. Gas Gas is available in Torrey and Hanksville. Emergencies Call 911 from a payphone at the visitor center or campground. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A TM Wireless Access Cell phone service and free wifi are available in Torrey. For wifi information contact the Wayne County Travel Council (WCTC) which operates a visitor center in Torrey at the junction of Highways 12 and 24. Open spring through fall. Contact www.capitolreef.org or (800) 858-7951. NOTE: Many local businesses and services are closed during the winter off-season. 6/14