Capitol Reef National Park Best Hikes

Outdoors here s our list of the park s seven best trails.

Capitol reef national park best hikes.

Before reaching hickman bridge you descend down into a canyon and get to see a much smaller arch named nels johnson natural bridge. Jason bergreen tribune file photo a hiker winds down the frying pan trail toward cohab canyon in capitol reef. 7 of 20 outdoor activities in capitol reef national park if you have 2 vehicles its fun to hike from the parking lot at hickman bridge just cross the road to the trail head in the park or vice versa interesting rock features and hiking right past slot canyons off the main trail. A trail brochure available at the trailhead points out 17 things to observe along the hike.

Capitol reef national park is our favorite national park in utah. After spending four months as a seasonal interpretive volunteer at capitol reef national park i have completed a whopping 46 blog posts for live and let hike about capitol reef including 42 detailed descriptions of the park s trails and routes. Slot canyons here rival the famous canyon hikes in zion national park only you ll see far fewer people here. Elevations in the park range from approximately 3 800 to 8 200 feet 1 158 2 499 m.

Spring and fall are mild seasons and are the best times for hiking and backpacking. The trail gradually gains elevation to a loop at the top of the cliff that will get you to hickman natural bridge. 7 best hikes in capitol reef national park. Winter november february is cold with highs from 30 to 45 f 1 1 7 2 c and nighttime temperatures below freezing.

This is one of the best short hikes to do in capitol reef. The hardest part of the trail is at the beginning but the kids shouldn t have any trouble after the first 1 4 mile. One of our favorite things to do here is to go out hiking. Other trails ascend the knobs and ridges to viewpoints above natural bridges and other scenic wonders.

The hickman natural bridge trail is a very relaxing and scenic trail in capitol reef national park. Notable among these are an indian granary a small natural bridge called nels johnson bridge and of course hickman bridge. Alas despite wishful thinking your average visitor to capitol reef is not likely to research dozens of hikes before arriving. Hickman bridge trail family friendly trail and one of the best hikes in capitol reef national park.

The 5 best hikes in capitol reef the entire collection of capitol reef trails are top notch which makes it difficult to label any five as the best however based on trail popularity here are a few you can t miss. Capitol reef national park offers exceptional hiking trails through a wide variety of terrain. The burro wash slot canyon. Walk along the fremont river and then hike up to a spectacular viewpoint where you can look out over highway 24 and cohab canyon.