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Capitol ReefHorse and Pack Animal Use |
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Capitol Reef National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Horse and Pack Animal Use
Recreational horse and pack animal use is a traditional
means of viewing and experiencing Capitol Reef
National Park. “Pack animals” are defined as horses,
burros, and mules. Stock use in any part of the park
may be prohibited when necessary to protect park
resources or visitors.
General Information
and Regulations
For all trips involving horses and/or pack
animals (day use or overnight), the following
regulations apply:
• Stock use within the park is limited to horses,
burros, and mules.
• Stock use in the park’s backcountry is limited
to 12 people and no more than 12 head of
riding or packing stock.
• Stock animals may not be ridden or kept
overnight in any campground, picnic area,
orchard, or roadside pullout, with the
exception of the equestrian staging area at the
Post Corral (see below).
• Horses and pack animals must be picketed
in locations where there will be little or no
vegetation damage.
• Grazing or loose herding is not permitted.
• All feed must be carried in and must be
certified weed-free feed.
• Riders will slow to a walk when passing
hikers.
• Manure must be removed immediately if
Backcountry Camping
with Stock
Additional regulations for backcountry
camping with stock are described below:
• A free backcountry use permit, available at
the visitor center, is required for each party
with horses or pack animals staying overnight
in the park. Parties must obtain their permits
in-person and must possess it while camping.
• Backcountry camping is prohibited within
one half mile of roads or trailheads (except at
the Post Corral). Camping is also prohibited
within sight of established roads or trails, or
within sight or sound of other campers.
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dropped in or near any spring or non-flowing
water source.
Human waste must be buried 6 inches
deep and at least 100 feet from non-flowing
water; 200 feet from flowing water. All trash,
including toilet paper, must be carried out.
Burning or burying toilet paper is prohibited.
Fires are not permitted in the backcountry.
Dogs may not accompany recreational stock
trips.
Generators are not permitted.
All commercially guided horse or pack
animal trips must be provided by an outfitter
that is authorized and permitted to operate
under the commercial use procedures of the
park. Commercial groups are not permitted
to use the Post Corral equestrian staging area.
Report all accidents or injuries to a park
ranger or at the visitor center as soon as
possible.
Area closures may be enacted to protect park
resources or visitors.
• Campsites and tethering areas must
be a minimum of 300 feet from water,
archeological/historical sites, and
backcountry trail junctions, and at least 100
feet from any water course (wet or dry).
• Parties camping with horses or pack animals
must camp in a new location each night
(except when camping at the Post Corral).
• Manure must be scattered before vacating
a campsite. Manure must be removed
immediately if dropped in or near any spring
or non-flowing water source.
(continued)
Post Corral
Equestrian Staging Area
The equestrian staging area at the Post Corral
is located in the park’s Waterpocket District,
about 35 miles (57 km) south of Utah Highway
24 via the Notom-Bullfrog Road and Burr Trail
Road. Check at the visitor center for current
road conditions, since stormy weather may
impact access to this site. This is the park’s only
developed overnight facility for stock users.
It is also available for day use, under the same
conditions as for overnight users:
• Use of the Post Corral equestrian staging area
is permitted only for non-commercial horse
users.
• All parties must obtain advanced reservations
by phone or in-person, and must also obtain
a backcountry permit in-person from the
visitor center, prior to use.
• All vehicles, camping units, and trailers
associated with groups camping at the site
must be parked within the large (west) side
Closed Areas
The following trails and backcountry areas are
closed to all stock use:
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Recommended Rides
Brimhall Bridge
Capitol Gorge
Cassidy Arch
Castle Trail
Cathedral Trail
Cathedral Valley Overlook
Chimney Rock
Cohab Canyon
Fremont Gorge Viewpoint
Fremont River Overlook
Fruita Campground to the Visitor Center
Frying Pan
Golden Throne
• Halls Creek—access from the Post Corral
south through Halls Creek drainage; Halls
Creek Narrows is closed to all stock use—
however, the narrows can be bypassed with
stock via the Hall Divide route
• South Desert—access from Upper or Lower
South Desert Overlooks
Additional Information
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of the corral, and horses must be kept in the
adjacent pens of the corral. (The corral is not
adequate to hold horses, but they may be tied
to existing corral fences.)
Camp use is limited to one group of 12 riders
and 12 horses. Up to two camp tenders may
also accompany the group, and may remain in
camp as needed.
Generator operation is prohibited.
Ground fires are prohibited unless contained
within a portable fire pan or grill. Ashes must
be removed out of the park. Wood gathering
is prohibited.
There is no water available at the corral site.
Riders not camping at the equestrian
staging area must use this area for staging
day-use trips. Vehicles and trailers must be
parked in the area marked by signs that are
located adjacent to the corral, and not at the
trailhead.
Goosenecks
Grand Wash
Halls Creek Narrows
Halls Creek Overlook Trail (Ticaboo Trail)
Headquarters Canyon
Hickman Bridge
Navajo Knobs
Old Wagon Trail
Red Canyon
Rim Overlook
Saddle Trail (Lower Cathedral Overlook Trail)
Spring Canyon (Upper & Lower)
Strike Valley Overlook
Sunset Point
Surprise Canyon
• Miners Mountain—good views of the
Waterpocket Fold; best accessed from the
paved parking area at the south end of Scenic
Drive, or from the Pleasant Creek trailhead
• South Draw Road—access to Tantalus Flats
and Boulder Mountain or return down
Pleasant Creek
Contact Capitol Reef National Park at
435-425-3791.
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
www.nps.gov/care
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