Visiting Capitol Reef National Park in Utah was an unexpected treat!
Capitol Reef National Park
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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!!!
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!
Thanks so much Sheree! The parks in Utah are absolutely spectacular. Enjoy!!!