Capital Reef – First Day, Utah

After visiting Bryce Canyon, I stopped at Capitol Reef.  Capitol Reef is a beautiful national park of cliffs, domes, and canyons. 1065

Capital Reef National Park Visitor Center: Torrey, Utah, USA
Fremont River Trailhead: Fremont River Trl, Torrey, UT 84775
Petroglyph Panels: UT-24, Torrey, UT 84775
Hickman Bridge, Rim Overlook and Navajo Knobs Trailhead: UT-24, Torrey, UT 84775
Date Picture Taken: May 2025

Capitol Reef features striking red and white rock formations, towering cliffs, and winding canyons shaped over millions of years.

The visitor center

Capitol Reef was formed when a section of the Earth’s crust was pushed upward and folded into a giant wrinkle called the Waterpocket Fold, and millions of years of wind and water erosion shaped its cliffs, domes, and canyons.

On the way to Fremont River Trail 

Fremont River Trail follows the Fremont River through a narrow valley, with cottonwood trees, colorful sandstone walls, and a gradual climb to an overlook of the town and orchards below.

My back side

As the trail kept climbing and I started to get tired, I decided to head back to the trailhead.

Walking back to the trailhead

After the trail hike, I drove to Petroglyph Panels at Capitol Reef

The Petroglyph Panels display ancient rock carvings created by the Fremont people, depicting human figures, animals, and symbols etched into the cliff face centuries ago.

Then I drove to Hickman Bridge, Rim Overlook, and Navajo Knobs Trailhead for the Hickman Bridge Trail.

On the Hickman Bridge Trail

Although I thought I was close to the bridge, the trail grew increasingly difficult to follow, so I decided to head back to the trailhead instead.

Walking back to the trail head