Capitol Reef National Park Winter Camping Guide

There are a few places where you can enjoy Capitol Reef National Park winter camping.

Use this Capitol Reef National Park guide that lists all the ways you can camp at or near the park.  

There is no park lodge at Capitol Reef, but there is one developed campground and RV park along with some primitive camping sites. 

In case you can’t get a Capitol Reef National Park camping spot, we’ll list campgrounds and RV Parks near the park as well.

Plus we’ll share resources for what to pack and things to do at Capitol Reef National Park in the winter!

Check out these Capitol Reef itineraries based on the amount of time you have to visit the park:

• 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!

Capitol Reef National Park Winter Camping

Be sure to check the Capitol Reef website for the latest information about the campgrounds, primitive camping, and backpacking at the park.

Capitol Reef Winter Camping at Fruita Campground

The Fruita Campground is adjacent to the Fremont River and surrounded by historic structures and orchards. It’s open year-round, and is the only developed campground in the park.

It has 71 sites, and each site has a picnic table and firepit and/or above ground grill, but no individual water, sewage, or electrical hookups.

There is an RV dump and potable water fill station. Restrooms have running water and flush toilets, but no showers. Accessible sites are located next to the restrooms.

During the winter from November 1 – February 28, all campsites are first come, first served.

• Number of Sites: 71 sites
• RVs: yes, dry campsites are available for RVs up to 52 feet (dump & water fill available)
• Season: open year-round; reservations required from Mar-Oct
• GPS Coordinates Location: 38.282603, -111.247106

Cathedral Valley Campground in the Winter

To access the Cathedral Valley Campground located about 36 miles from the visitor center in Fruita, you will need a high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle.

The campground is open year-round, but bad weather will make the road inaccessible. Check road conditions with the Capitol Reef Visitor Center (or call the information line) prior to planning an overnight stay.

This primitive, no-fee campground has six sites, each with a picnic table and fire grate. There is a pit toilet, but no water available.

• Number of Sites: 6 sites
• Fees: free
• Reservations: no, sites are available on a first-come-first-serve basis
• RVs: no, unless a shorter 4×4 high clearance rig
• Season: open year-round
• GPS Coordinates Location: 38.474351, -111.366933

Cedar Mesa Campground in the Winter

To access the Cedar Mesa Campground located about 23 miles south of Utah State Highway 24, you’ll navigate along the Notom-Bullfrog Road. 

Most of the time two-wheel drive vehicles are ok, but sometimes the road requires high clearance.

The campground is open year-round, but check with the Capitol Reef Visitor Center for road conditions prior to planning an overnight stay.

It’s a primitive, no-fee campground with five sites that have a picnic table and fire grate. There is also a pit toilet, but no water is available.

• Number of Sites: 5 sites
• Fees: free
• Reservations: no, sites are available on a first-come-first-serve basis
• RVs: no, unless a shorter 4×4 high clearance rig
• Season: open year-round
• GPS Coordinates Location: 38.007213, -111.08443

Capitol Reef Backcountry Camping in the Winter

A backcountry permit is required for camping outside of established campgrounds. The permit is free and can be obtained in person at the visitor center during normal business hours.

Backcountry camp sites at Capitol Reef can be found along these backpacking routes:

• Pleasant Creek
• Spring Canyon
• Lower Muley Twist Canyon
• Upper Muley Twist Canyon
• Burro, Cottonwood and Sheets Gulch
• Halls Creek Narrows

Please take the time to learn all the Capitol Reef backcountry regulations so you Leave No Trace:

• Purify all water before drinking.
• Don’t pollute water sources with soap, food scraps, sunscreen, lotion, etc. Do not swim or bathe in potholes or tanks.
• Bury human waste 6 inches deep in soil and at least 300 feet away from any water sources, and out of washes.
• Pets at Capitol Reef are not permitted on trails or in the backcountry and may not be left unattended.
• Gathering firewood and building fires is prohibited; use fuel burning stoves in the backcountry.
• Camp at least 1/2 mile from roads and trailheads. Camp out of sight and sound of the trail and other campers. Camp 300 feet away from any water source, archaeological/historic sites, and trail junctions.

RV Parks Open in the Winter Near Capitol Reef

There are only a few RV parks near Capitol Reef National Park that are open in the winter. They will offer more amenities than the Fruita Campground in the park.

Fremont River RV Park

Located on Highway 24 in Loa about 20 minutes west of Torrey is the Fremont River RV Park.

The park features 18 sites with hookups that can fit large RVs. There are bathrooms, laundry, WIFI, and pets are welcome.

Duke’s RV Park

About an hour east of Capitol Reef is the Duke’s RV Park in Hanksville, Utah. Duke’s is open throughout the year, so it is an excellent option for RV travelers during the winter.

Amenities include pull-through, back-in, and trailer campsites; shared campfire pits; picnic tables; free WIFI; and 24 hour coin-operated laundry.

The campground also offers grass tent areas.

Capitol Reef Weather in the Winter

The temperatures really drop Capitol Reef National Park in the winter so it’s the least busy season. Here are the average temperatures each month during the winter:

• Capitol Reef National Park in December: Highs 39 | Lows 19 degrees F
• Capitol Reef National Park in January: Highs 39 | Lows 18 degrees F
• Capitol Reef National Park in February: Highs 45 | Lows 23 degrees F

During the winter it is especially important to dress in layers. We recommend an insulted winter jacket, fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves if you’ll be doing any outside activities. Here’s the full list of the outdoor winter clothing we use!

Plan a Capitol Reef Vacation

• Capitol Reef National Park Guide
• Capitol Reef National Park Packing List
• Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef National Park 
• Things to Do in Capitol Reef National Park

Things to Do Near Capitol Reef

• Visiting Goblin Valley State Park
• Best Stops Along Scenic Byway 12
• Anasazi State Park
• Lower Calf Creek Falls Hiking Guide
• Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
• Kodachrome Basin State Park
• Bryce Canyon Travel Guide

Winter Packing List for Capitol Reef

• Winter Clothing Guide
• US National Parks Pass – BUY THE PASS AT REI and they will donate 10% of sales to the National Park Foundation.
• Waterproof hiking boots or shoes 
• Insulated boots
• Traction devices
• Darn Tough Socks heavy wool socks
• Walking stick or trekking poles
• Wicking and quick-drying base layers
• Fleece jacket
• Wool, down or heavy-weight insulated jacket
• Insulating hat
• Insulating winter gloves
• Fleece neck gaiter or buff
• WATER – water bottles or hydration backpack
• FOOD – healthy snacks
• Flashlight or headlamp
• National Park maps and guides
• Sunscreen
• Lip protection with sunscreen
• Polarized sunglasses
• Hand lotion
• Hand sanitizer
• Winter photography gear