Capitol Reef National Park Summer Hikes
Located in southcentral Utah, you’ll see stunning views and diverse landscape as you explore various Capitol Reef National Park summer hikes!
This Capitol Reef National Park guide will detail the best summer hiking trails, tips for summer hiking, what to pack, where to stay, and more!
This list of Capitol Reef summer hikes details the distance, time, elevation gain, and important information about what it’s like to hike each trail.
Hiking in the summer at Capitol Reef National Park means HOT temperatures. And late summer monsoons can cause flash floods.
It’s important to stay hydrated, use sun protection, and get the latest weather information before hitting the trails at Capitol Reef in the summer!
We’ve made it easy for you to plan your Capitol Reef National Park activities and hikes with these done-for-you itineraries:
- Capitol Reef National Park in One Day
- Two days in Capitol Reef National Park
- Three days in Capitol Reef National Park
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A Photo Tour of Capitol Reef National Park
Take a visual tour through Capitol Reef National Park to see the stunning landscape and wildlife you’ll find in the park!
Visiting Capitol Reef National Park in the Summer
When planning to visit Capitol Reef National Park in the summer, expect hot temperatures and dry conditions. We recommend exploring the park in the mornings or late afternoons when it’s much cooler to avoid the daytime and heat and intense sun.
- June: Highs 85° | Lows 56° F
- July: Highs 90° | Lows 62° F
- August: Highs 87° | Lows 60° F
Capitol Reef National Park Summer Hiking Tips
One of the best Capitol Reef National Park activities is hiking. It’s important to be prepared with the right clothing and gear for summer hikes.
We always recommend you talk to a park ranger to get the most updated information about trail conditions and weather, especially during the summer monsoon season!!
The summer monsoons can dump heavy amounts or rain over a short period of time which can result in flash floods. Get up-to-date weather information and watch for changing weather conditions. DO NOT enter a narrow gorge or slot canyon if storms are threatening!
Summer Clothing for Hiking
Capitol Reef National Park in the summer will be hot and dry!
- UV Clothing: Loose-fitting, light-colored, UV protective wicking clothing is recommended for summer hiking.
- Sunhat: Sun protection is a must!
- Fleece jackets: A jacket is perfect for that morning layer when the temperatures are cool
- Darn Tough hiking socks: Do not wear cotton socks. Darn Tough Socks are comfortable, breathe well, and prevent blisters
- Sturdy hiking shoes: Hiking shoes or boots should be sturdy with good tread and traction.
Summer Hiking Gear
Here’s the summer hiking gear we recommend for exploring Capitol Reef:
- Water: Carry and drink at least two liters of water. Use refillable water bottles or hydration packs. We carry Propel powder packets to add to our water to help replace electrolytes.
- Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin! Due to the dry heat in Utah, you’ll also want lip balm and lotion!
- First aid kit: No matter whether your hike is long or short, always pack a hiking first aid kit. Make sure your first aid kit has the essentials like plasters, bandages, anti-bacterial wipes, etc.
- Headlamps: If you’ll be hiking in the morning or late afternoon, carry a headlamp so you’re prepared in case you need to hike in the dark.
- Snacks: Pack salty and easy to digest snack to replace electrolytes.
Capitol Reef National Park Summer Hikes
Here’s a list of the best day hikes in Capitol Reef National Park. Note the trail difficulty ratings:
- Easy: uneven ground, but fairly level.
- Moderate: a mix of steep grades and level sections.
- Strenuous: steep grades, uneven terrain and long, steady climbs
Remember that many trailheads start at an elevation around 5,000 feet. This can make “easy” trails challenging if you’re not used to the higher elevation.
Easy Capitol Reef Summer Hikes
The trails rated as Easy may have uneven ground in places, but are fairly level for most of the hike.
Capitol Gorge, Pioneer Register and The Tanks Summer Hike
- Distance: 2 miles roundtrip
- Time: 1 hour
- Elevation Change: 80 ft
- Trailhead Location: small parking lot at the end of the Capitol Gorge spur trail at the end of the Scenic Drive
Capitol Gorge is a spur dirt road that leads into a narrow, steep-walled canyon that is extremely vulnerable to bad weather conditions. Be aware of dangerous flash floods during the summer monsoon rainy season!
Walking along the Capitol Gorge trail is one of the best easy hikes in the park! As you hike, watch for The Pioneer register on the right high up on the wall. On the left look for the sign pointing out some petroglyphs.
Further down on the left there will be more names from the pioneers that first went through the area. You can also see evidence of old phone lines going through the gorge as well.
Toward the end of the walled canyon there will be a sign and cairns on the left leading to the Tank Trail. This hike requires a short section of scrambling over rocks as the trails heads up to the top.
The tanks are cool to see, especially when they are filled with water. The summer monsoon season is a good time to see water in these tanks! From the top you’ll enjoy views of the canyon. Look big horned sheep on the rocks in this area.
Goosenecks Overlook Summer Hike
- Distance: 0.2 miles roundtrip
- Time: 10 minutes
- Elevation Change: less than 50 ft
- Trailhead Location: from Highway 24, turn onto the gravel road for Panorama Point and Sunset Point. Continue down the gravel road to the end and park in the parking lot. This road is suitable for standard cars.
The Goosenecks Trail is a short switchback hike with a few rocky steps before hitting the top that overlooks Sulphur Creek Canyon.
Be sure to continue along where the trail dips and leads you to the edge of the canyon, where a metal fence marks the end of the trail.
Sunset Point Summer Hike
- Distance: 0.8 miles roundtrip
- Time: 30 minutes
- Elevation Change: less than 50 ft
- Trailhead Location: same parking lot as Goosenecks hike above
The Sunset Point Trail is the shortest day hike in Capitol Reef National Park. The trail leads to a stunning view of the landscape made up of colorful cliffs and domes.
As the name would suggest, it’s a great spot Capitol Reef National Park photography spot at sunset. It’s also one of our favorite sunrise photo spots!
Grand Wash Summer Hike to the Narrows
- Distance: 2-ish miles roundtrip
- Time: 1 hour
- Elevation Change: 200 ft
- Trailhead Location: there are two trailheads: one on Highway 24 and one at the end of Grand Wash Road along the Scenic Drive.
Grand Wash is a spur dirt road that leads into a narrow, steep-walled canyon that is extremely vulnerable to bad weather conditions. Be aware of dangerous flash floods when it’s raining!
The Grand Wash is a cool slot canyon that doesn’t require walking in water, unlike Sulphur Creek or the Narrows hike at Zion National Park.
We don’t recommend hiking the entire length of this trail. Instead, start the hike at either trailhead and walk until you reach the narrowest section, called The Narrows. This is about one mile in whether you start at the trailhead on Highway 24 or at Grand Wash.
The Narrows is the central section of the Grand Wash, and it is roughly 1 mile from both of these trailheads. So, you can hike to the Narrows from either starting point and it is the same distance.
Moderate Summer Hikes at Capitol Reef
You’ll find a mix of steep grades and level sections along the trail for these hikes rated as Moderate.
Hickman Bridge Summer Hike
- Distance: 1.8 miles roundtrip
- Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Elevation Change: 400 ft
- Trailhead Location: parking lot along Highway 24 marks the trailhead to the Hickman Bridge Trail
The Hickman Bridge trail is one of the more popular Capitol Reef Hikes. The hike begins with some smaller switchbacks before leveling out a bit – it’s this section that makes this a moderate hike.
The trail continues along a wash then climbs a little higher with walls starting to tower over you. At the fork in the trail both will take you to the bridge since it’s a loop, but we prefer taking the trail to the right. Soon you will see the view of the bridge that’s 133 feet tall!
Continue on under the bridge and you’ll be greeted with one of the best views in Capitol Reef that overlooks the canyon below.
Cohab Canyon Summer Hike
- Distance: 3.4 miles roundtrip
- Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Elevation Change: 440 ft
- Trailhead Location: across from the Fruita Barn
If you want to see amazing views of the Fruita area, then the Cohab Canyon Trail is the one you want to do! Park in the small lot across from the Fruita Barn, then walk a short distance toward the campground to find the start of the trail.
This is a moderate hike because immediately the trail requires a steep climb UP! The trail leads through Cohab Canyon then has one final climb to the top of the mesa where you’ll find a north overlook and a south overlook.
Cassidy Arch Summer Hike
- Distance: 3.4 miles roundtrip
- Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Elevation Change: 845 ft
- Trailhead Location: end of the Grand Wash Road
As you drive down Grand Wash Road, at about 0.75 miles you’ll see the viewpoint for Cassidy Arch. This short hike features breathtaking views over the Grand Wash, but it’s a steep climb to the top!
But the most fun part is the chance to stand on Cassidy Arch and get your picture taken!
Chimney Rock Loop Summer Hike
- Distance: 3.5 mile loop
- Time: 2 to 4 hours
- Elevation Change: 580 ft
- Trailhead Location: Chimney Rock parking lot along UT 24 near the west entrance to Capitol Reef
The start of the hike is pretty flat, but then transitions to a series of switchbacks until you reach the top of the mesa. This is a good spot to take a breather and enjoy the views!
There’s a second incline taking you to the top where you can view Chimney Rock. At this point, the trail is all downhill from here as you work your way down the opposite side of the mesa.
Strenuous Summer Hikes at Capitol Reef
The hikes rated as Strenuous include steep grades, uneven terrain with long, steady climbs.
Sulphur Creek Summer Hike
- Distance: 5.8 miles one-way
- Time: 3 to 5 hours
- Elevation Change: 400 ft
- Trailhead Location: the upper end of the Sulphur Creek route can be accessed from the designated parking lot, 3.3 miles west of the visitor center, which is 0.3 miles west of the Chimney Rock trailhead, on Highway 24. The route ends (or begins) behind the visitor center.
Capitol Reef’s Sulphur Creek trail is similar to the Zion Narrows since you’re following a stream that cuts through a deep canyon. But it’s also very different.
Sulphur Creek is not an official, maintained trail by the National Park Service. Route conditions, including obstacles in canyons, change frequently due to weather, flash floods, rockfall, and other hazards. Route-finding, navigation, and map-reading skills are critical. Do not rely solely on unofficial route markers (rock cairns, etc.); they are not maintained by the NPS.
The 5.8-mile one-way hike through Sulphur Creek Canyon involves leaving a shuttle vehicle at each end. If you don’t have two vehicles, a 3.3-mile hike along Highway 24 is required to return to your starting point. Vehicle shuttles are not provided or facilitated by the park.
Fremont Gorge Overlook Summer Hike
- Distance: 4.6 miles roundtrip
- Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Elevation Change: 1,090 ft
- Trailhead Location: Blacksmith Shop 0.8 miles from the Visitor Center driving toward the campground
The trail climbs 1,090 feet in 2.3 miles, broken up by a flat section across the length of Johnson Mesa. There’s a stunning view of the gorge and a terrific place to see Capitol Reef’s multicolor cliffs.
Here’s a great detailed article about hiking Fremont Gorge Overlook with photos of the trail as you hike!
Golden Throne Summer Hike
- Distance: 4 miles roundtrip
- Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Elevation Change: 730 ft
- Trailhead Location: parking lot at the end of the Capitol Gorge spur dirt road
The hike begins with a moderate-steep grade for about the first 10 to 15 minutes. The trail then levels a bit and travels in and out of side canyons, but always climbing.
At the end you’re rewarded with views of the Golden Throne, Boulder Mountain, and the Henry Mountains.
If you time it right, the late afternoon and early sunset light casts a golden glow on the Golden Throne and Capitol Gorge!
Rim Overlook Summer Hike
- Distance: 4.6 miles roundtrip
- Time: 2 to 3 hours
- Elevation Change: 430 ft
Navajo Knobs Summer Hike
- Distance: 9.5 miles roundtrip
- Time: 4 to 7 hours
- Elevation Change: 2,725 ft
Trailhead Location for both hikes: parking lot for Hickman Bridge, located on Highway 24.
This parking lot holds about 25 cars and a few RV’s. You’ll also find toilets here. The hike to Hickman Bridge is an extremely popular hike, so this parking lot tends to fill up early and then stay filled for the remainder of the day. Ideally, get here early to get a space.
From the parking lot, look for the sign marking the Hickman Bridge Trailhead. This is where the hike to the Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs begins.
This article by Earth Trekkers is one to read if you want to hike the Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs trails. They included step-by-step details and amazing photographs along the way!
Summer Hiking Ideas
- Summer Hiking Trails in the US
- Summer Hikes at US National Parks
- Canyonlands Hikes
- Dead Horse Point State Park Hiking Trails
- Moab Utah Hiking Trails
Places to Stay at Capitol Reef in the Summer
- Places to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park
- Capitol Reef National Park Camping
- Hotels Near Capitol Reef National Park
- RV Parks Near Capitol Reef National Park
- Glamping Near Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef Packing List
Use our Capitol Reef National Park packing list to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in the summer! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
