Alert: Reef Ride Bike Days 2026

National Park

Capitol Reef

Wingate Sandstone cliffs behind historic barn and farmhouse
Windgate sandstone towers above historic Fruita farms and homes NPS Photo

Overview

Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles.

State: UT435-425-3791

Hours

  • Sunday: All Day
  • Monday: All Day
  • Tuesday: All Day
  • Wednesday: All Day
  • Thursday: All Day
  • Friday: All Day
  • Saturday: All Day

Fees & Passes

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle:  20.00

    An entrance fee is charged per vehicle.


  • Entrance - Motorcycle:  15.00

    Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.


  • Entrance - Per Person:  10.00

    Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists and pedestrians.


  • Commercial Entrance - Per Person:  10.00

    Commercial Road-Based Tours are required to obtain a Commercial Use Authorization before visiting Capitol Reef. When visiting the park, the tour must then pay the separate entrance fee at the visitor center (or through pay.gov). Tours with vehicle capacity of 15 or less should apply for a CUA in the "Guided Interpretive Tours" category. Tours of this size fall under the Guided Activities entry fee structure.


  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus:  100.00

    Commercial Road-Based Tours are required to obtain a Commercial Use Authorization before visiting Capitol Reef National Park. When visiting the park, the tour must then pay the separate entrance fee at the visitor center (or through pay.gov). Vehicle capacity of 16 seats or greater: $100.00 entrance fee


  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach:  100.00

    Commercial Road-Based Tours are required to obtain a Commercial Use Authorization before visiting Capitol Reef National Park. When visiting the park, the tour must then pay the separate entrance fee at the visitor center (or through pay.gov). Vehicle capacity of 16 seats or greater: $100.00 entrance fee


  • Commercial Entrance - Per Person:  10.00

    Guided Activities include all types of guided services, such as bike and motorcycle tours, hiking guides, photography classes, hiking shuttles, and road-based commercial tours with vehicles <16 capacity. Guided activity groups are charged the per person fee of $10.00 per client, excluding the trip leader or guide. If a client has an America the Beautiful Resident pass (annual, senior, access, etc.) it covers 4 people in the group. (Non-resident annual passes cover only the pass owner.)


Map

Things To Do

Category

6 Results
    Person on bicycle on paved road with cars approaching and colorful cliffs above, and blue sky.

    Bicycle Touring

    $

    Description

    Bicycling touring in Capitol Reef offers opportunities to explore paved and unpaved roads throughout the park. Explore colorful canyons, beautiful vistas of red rock country, and the verdant Fruita Historic District by bicycle.

    More info

    Fees

    A fee is required for recreating within Capitol Reef National Park.

    Colorful red rocks, striped cliffs, mountains in the distance, and a pale blue moving to purple sky.

    Watch the Sunset

    $

    Description

    Watch the sunset from various scenic points in Capitol Reef. Take an easy stroll or a strenuous hike as the sun goes down. Don't forget to bring a headlamp.

    More info

    Fees

    A fee is required for recreating within Capitol Reef National Park.

    Bighorn sheep shaped images pecked into a red sandstone cliff

    Visit the Petroglyph Panel

    $

    Description

    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.

    More info

    Fees

    A fee is required for recreating within Capitol Reef National Park.

    Pet FriendlyTime:5-30 Minutes
    White lines representing circular star trails in dark blue sky, above colorful red cliffs.

    Stargaze

    $

    Description

    Capitol Reef protects extremely dark night skies, and is a wonderful place to stargaze.

    More info

    Fees

    A fee is required for recreating within Capitol Reef National Park.

    Stormy skies with a small spot of a rainbow, red cliffs, and a blacktop road.

    Scenic Drive Tour

    $

    Description

    Take Capitol Reef's Scenic Drive, and experience colorful cliffs and deep narrow canyons from the comfort of your vehicle.

    More info

    Fees

    A fee is required for recreating within Capitol Reef National Park.

    Pet FriendlyTime:90 Minutes
    A hiker stands on top of rock cliff viewing vast valley below.

    Hike in the South (Waterpocket) District

    $

    Description

    Get to know the South (Waterpocket) District on foot by hiking an easy trail or strenuous backcountry route. Many of these hikes are accessible only by unpaved roads.

    More info

    Fees

    A fee is required for recreating within Capitol Reef National Park.

More Images

Wingate Sandstone cliffs behind historic barn and farmhouse
Wingate Sandstone cliffs behind historic barn and farmhouse
A hiker stands beside Hickman Bridge, a natural sandstone bridge
A hiker stands beside Hickman Bridge, a natural sandstone bridge
Exposed layers of rock in the Waterpocket fold
Exposed layers of rock in the Waterpocket fold
Cliffs known as "The Castle" tower above the Capitol Reef Visitor Center
Cliffs known as "The Castle" tower above the Capitol Reef Visitor Center
Fruit tree with peaches in front of red sandstone cliffs
Fruit tree with peaches in front of red sandstone cliffs