Places to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park

There are a variety of places to stay at Capitol Reef National Park and in the towns near the park so you can find the best lodging option for your trip.

Use our Capitol Reef National Park guide and this list of various accommodations available to plan your vacation.

There is no park lodge at Capitol Reef, but there is one campground. You’ll also find some primitive camping, hotels, and vacations rentals near Capitol Reef National Park.

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you! Read the full Disclosure Policy.

Places to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park

Always check the NPS website for the most current Capitol Reef National Park camping information and rates.

Capitol Reef 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’s a developed campground with 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.

Campsites are reservable from March 1 – October 31, and can be made 6 months ahead of time. Visit www.recreation.gov to make a reservation.

From November 1 – February 28, all campsites are first come, first served.

Group Campsite at Fruita

The Group Campsite at Fruita is open from mid-April to mid-October (exact dates are determined on an annual basis).

Maximum occupancy is 40 people.
Children of all ages count towards the maximum number of people allowed.
Recreational vehicles are permitted, provided the total number of vehicles does not exceed ten (10).
A truck and trailer count as two (2) vehicles.
All vehicles must fit in the group campsite parking area with enough room remaining to allow emergency vehicles and park staff to drive in and out.
Minimal parking is available elsewhere for vehicles associated with the group campsite.
Parking on the grass is prohibited.
Vehicles over 27 feet long will not have room to turn around.
Generator hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Additional information and regulations

Visit www.recreation.gov to reserve the group campsite. Individual campsites may also be reserved through this same website.

Primitive Campgrounds in Capitol Reef

There are two Primitive Campgrounds in Cathedral Valley and Cedar Mesa.

Cathedral Valley Campground

No reservations; first-come, first-served.

The Cathedral Valley Campground is located about 36 miles from the visitor center and halfway on the Cathedral Valley Loop Road. To access this campground, high clearance four-wheel drive is usually necessary.

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

It’s 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.

Cedar Mesa Campground

No reservations; first-come, first-served.

The Cedar Mesa Campground is located about 23 miles south of Utah State Highway 24 on the Notom-Bullfrog Road. To access this campground, most of the time two-wheel drive vehicles are ok, but sometimes the road requires high clearance.

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.

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

Backcountry Camping at Capitol Reef

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 Camping are available at these various 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 backcountry regulations so you Leave No Trace.

Here are a few of the important things to keep in mind when doing primitive camping at Capitol Reef:

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 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.

Places to Stay Near Capitol Reef

Here’s a list of other places to stay in the small towns close to Capitol Reef.

Hotels Near Capitol Reef

There are a lot of hotels near Capitol Reef National Park in town of Torrey – here are two of our favorites:

Capitol Reef Resort – this is where we stay! Make it a unique experience and stay in a teepee or covered wagon!
Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel – basic rooms and cabins with a deli and store right on the property which is so convenient!

Vacation Rentals Near Capitol Reef

VRBO Vacation Rentals – we like finding a place with a kitchen so we can prepare our own food.

Camping Near Capitol Reef

Here’s a list of campgrounds and RV Parks Near Capitol Reef National Park:

US Forest Service: Dixie/Fishlake National Forest

Singletree Campground Elevation 8,200 feet; 33 sites (including 2 group sites); drinking water; flush toilets; 22mi./35 km.
Pleasant Creek Campground Elevation 8,800 feet; 19 sites; drinking water; pit toilets; 28 mi./46 km.
Oak Creek Campground Elevation 8,800 feet; 9 sites; drinking water; pit toilets; 30 mi./ 48 km. Campsites are smaller and appropriate for tent camping.
Sunglow Campground Elevation 7,200 feet; 9 sites; drinking water; flush toilets; 18 mi./ 29 km (just east of Bicknell).

Public Lands: Dispersed Camping

Within Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (BLM), dispersed primitive and trailhead car-camping are subject to restrictions. Call (435) 826-5499 for information.
For information on dispersed camping on nearby National Forest land, contact the Dixie/Fishlake Ranger Office in Loa at (435) 836-2811.
For information on dispersed camping on BLM land to the east, contact the Henry Mountains Field Station in Hanksville at (435) 542-3461.

Plan a Capitol Reef Vacation

Capitol Reef National Park Itineraries

Grab our travel bundle with printable 1, 2 and 3-day itineraries to easily plan your vacation!

Places to Stay at Capitol Reef National Park

Some of the links on this site are affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you! Read the full Disclosure Policy.