Capitol Reef Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome to Capitol Reef

  Get ready to explore one of Utah's hidden gems: Capitol Reef National Park. This fabulously colorful, awe-inspiring landscape is packed full of perfect photo ops and fascinating history, and you driving tour will introduce you to all of it!

• Twin Rocks

  The first major landmark you'll encounter are the Twin Rocks, a funky rock formation that people swear looks exactly like a pair of human molars. Take a look and decide for yourself!

• Chimney Rock

  Next comes Chimney Rock, a bright red pillar of rock that looks like a chimney. Here, you'll also find a great, 3-mile hiking trail to start your trip.

• Goosenecks Overlook

  If Panorama Point left you wanting more, you'll find it up next at Goosenecks Overlook.

• The Fluted Wall

  You'll arrive next at the Fluted Wall, a cool cliff face which actually offers a look back in time... up to 240 million years!

• The Castle

  As you drive, you'll also notice The Castle looming over you. This imposing rocky fortress is sure to inspire awe in any traveler!

• Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center

  The visitor center is up next, a great place to stop if you need snacks, a restroom, or just a quick break to get your bearings.

• Ripple Rock Nature Center

  Continuing on, you'll also pass the Ripple Rock Nature Center, which offers some great educational opportunities for younger visitors.

• Historic District

  Next, you'll arrive in the Fruita Historic District, a window back into the pioneer past.

• The Mail Tree

  The first stop in the district is the Mail Tree, which is exactly what it sounds like. Back in the day, this tree served as the post office for the town!

• Gifford Homestead

  After that you'll come to the Gifford Homestead, a perfectly preserved slice of what life was like for the early Mormon pioneers who founded this tiny, remote town.

• Fruita Barn

  Beyond that is the Fruita Barn, offering a similar glimpse back in time.

• Cohab Canyon & Trailhead (Return to Car)

  Then you'll arrive at the Cohab Canyon Trailhead, which leads to some stunning canyons with a seriously strange history.

• Danish Hill

  Continuing on, you'll reach the top of Danish Hill, which boasts some of the best views of the entire park.

• Oyler Mine

  Next, you'll pass Oyler Mine, where workers once mined uranium before the Reef became a national park... and tried to continue even after that!

• Slickrock Divide

  Beyond that is the Slickrock Divide, a sort of miniature continental divide which helps ensure flora in the Reef is able to flourish.

• Capitol Gorge trailhead

  As you continue, you'll come to the Capitol Gorge Trailhead. This is one of the most popular trails in the park for a reason. It doesn't just lead down into a gorgeous canyon, but also boasts some ancient petroglyphs along the way!

• Fruita Schoolhouse

  Returning to the north side of the park, you'll get another look at life for the residents of Fruita at the Fruita Schoolhouse, where children of all ages were taught by a 12 year-old!

• Petroglyphs

  Next, you'll have the chance to see some ancient petroglyphs for yourself. Some of these ancient drawings are pretty clear, but others have meanings that are yet to be deciphered!

• Hickman Bridge Trail

  The next trail, the Hickman Bridge Trail, leads to a truly astonishing part of the landscape--a natural bridge. Much like a natural stone archway, the bridge at the end of this trail seems to defy gravity itself!

• Capitol Dome

  As you drive you'll also have a great look at the impressive Capitol Dome, which isn't actually a dome at all if you look closely!

• "Grand Wash Trailhead "

  Beyond that is the Grand Wash Trailhead, which leads into the narrow slot canyons beneath the park's surface. If you've never seen a slot canyon up close before, this is a must-do!

• Behunin Cabin

  If you thought Fruita was remote, you're in for a surprise at the next stop: Behunin Cabin. This was once the home of a family who thought even the tiny town of Fruita had too many people for them!

• Alt:Sunset Point

  If you're in the park aroud sunset, there's no better place to stop than Sunset Point. Watching the sinking sun from here is a memory that will last you a lifetime.

• "Alt:Cassidy Arch Trailhead "

  If you liked the Hickman Bridge, don't miss the Cassidy Arch Trailhead, a hiking trail which leads to another natural stone arch.

• "Alt:Pioneer Register "

  Another optional stop is the Pioneer Register, a fascinating historical relic bearing the names of the first European-Americans to arrive in Capitol Reef centuries ago.