Capitol Reef National Park

The Fortress

We were caravanning with our friends Sandee and Mack to Lake Powell and had no idea that our route would take us right through Capitol Reef National Park. I have not taken this many photos while riding in Ladybug in our four years on the road. Riding through the most colorful and beautiful rock formation so far made the long drive so worth it.

Geography

Interesting and colorful rock formations along a highway through Capitol Reef National Park

Small portion of the Waterpocket Fold

Red and white rock formations that look like sculptures in Capitol Reef National Park

Sculpted by Nature

Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park is in the state’s south-central desert. The park surrounds a long (almost 100 miles) geologic wrinkle in the earth that is known as the Waterpocket Fold. This Fold is made up of layers of golden sandstone, canyons and striking rock formations.

Geology

Rock formations that look like fabric folds with highway winding through Capitol Reef National Park

Long and Winding Road

Pink and white marble patterned rock formation with cars and trees in foreground at Capitol Reef National Park

These rock formations remind me of Marble Halvah!

What makes this National Park so special is that it’s filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges hidden inside. Capitol Reef NP’s Waterpocket Fold is on of the largest and best of its kind on the North American continent. It’s a travelers dream site filled with serenity and dramatic beauty. And not a traffic light in sight.

Red rock and white mountain peak with grasses and bushes in the foreground at Capitol Reef National Park

At first glance I thought this was snow. But no! It’s actually white stone!!!

Capitol Dome

Driving through the park we saw towering sandstone structures along with majestic canyons. This is another place that you can find several ancient petroglyphs.

Inhabitants

Rugged gray and white stone mountains with highway and red pickup truck at Capitol Reef National Park

This is not a Dodge Ram ad. I swear!

“Sand” Dunes

I wondered if people live in Capitol Reef National Park. After doing some research I learned that for centuries, ethnohistoric nomadic groups of people like the Ute, Paiute and Navajo lived in the area seasonally. Nowadays there are 32 tribes that have a continuing connection to the National Park.

How it got its name

Capitol Reef National Park rock formation with lots of hiding holes and shadows along the highway.

What’s lurking in the shadows?

Coral and white rock formation that resembles a coral reef.

“Coral” Reef at Capitol Reef

I find it fun that a park so far from an ocean has “reef” in its name. The Capitol part I get because the white dome formations in the park bring to mind the dome on America’s Capitol building in Washington D.C. And just in case you’re wondering, the “Reef” refers to the rocky landscape that resembles coral.

Rock formations and greenery in a rainbow of colors as a car drives through the park.

The many colors of the park

Capitol Reef National Park rock formations showing how the earth created folds.

Folds and More Folds

Not all of the rocks are white or shades of red. There are also black boulders scattered throughout the Fremont River valley that are more recent geologic newcomers to Capitol Reef. Those black boulders are actually volcanic rocks created from 20 to 30 million year old lava flows.

Wildlife

Rock formations that resemble cliffs of sand and stone

The Cliffs

Deep gray and white rock formations that look like piles of sand.

Makes you feel like you’re at the beach.

Because of Capitol Reef National Park’s diverse geology it has provide habitat for a multitude of plants and animals. There have been 58 species of mammals documented in Capitol Reef National Park. This includes bats, other small mammals such as mice, wood rats, and chipmunks, along with deer, coyotes, cougars, Desert Big Horn Sheep, mule deer, mountain lion, ringtails (raccoon family), white tailed antelope squirrel, rock squirrel, yellow bellied marmots, American beaver, Gray Fox. For those wildlife enthusiasts, you can download a complete Wildlife Checklist.

Large boulders lining the highway through Capitol Reef National Park

We bid Capitol Reef National Park a fond farewell!

We couldn’t wait to get to Lake Powell, but couldn’t imagine it being more spectacular than Capitol Reef NP!!! So glad we got to see it!!!

2 Comments

Sheree Levy on September 6, 2024 at 2:43 am

Thank you so much for your perspective and enthusiasm! We have a trip to the 5 national parks in Utah coming up in a few weeks!
- Sandy Axelrod on September 6, 2024 at 2:42 pm
  
  Thanks so much Sheree! The parks in Utah are absolutely spectacular. Enjoy!!!