Capitol Reef National Park is located in south-central Utah and protects its most famous attraction, the Waterpocket Fold, and the surrounding eroding rocks. The park was given its name because of an area of white Navajo sandstone that somewhat resembles the US Capitol building, which is visible from the car. Driving around the park is very scenic and it is a good thing as the rest of the park is not very accessible.
Trails + Overlooks
In terms of hiking trails, there is a wooden boardwalk off Utah Highway 24 that accesses Fremont Culture petroglyphs. The trail begins on a firm, crushed rock surface, leading to a barrier-free boardwalk platform. Explore this rare cultural preservation more closely using the lowered binoculars and listening to the audio guide. The audio guide reveals that not much is known about the people who carved these drawings and are simply known as the Fremont People. A few of the images resemble astronauts and outer space.
You can also take a short stroll on the one-way 0.3 miles-long Fremont Trail beside the Fremont River through a meadow and orchard surrounded by tall sandstone cliffs and a volcanic boulder-strewn mesa for birdwatching and other wildlife. The orchards are a shade haven on warm days, and when in season, visitors can pick fruit for a nominal fee. The Fremont Trail runs past the Gifford House, campground, amphitheater, and orchards on a one-way firmly packed dirt surface topped with crushed rock. A few spots are thicker than others making it challenging with a manual wheelchair, so adaptive equipment is recommended. Accessible picnic tables are located throughout the park, including near the Visitor Center and the Fruita Campground, with extended ends for wheelchair access.
Scenic Drive
As previously stated, accessibility is limited so driving will provide the best visuals of the park. Capitol Reef National Park has a Scenic Drive with a corresponding self-guided tour printout available online. One complaint is that the guide doesn’t fully go in order and markers are hard to find. Furthermore, on the Scenic Drive, the picnic area has designated accessible parking and an accessible restroom. Off the Scenic Dive are the Grand Wash Road and the Capitol Gorge Road, two unpaved roads that lead deep into the canyons. Flash flooding is a real danger on these roads so be sure to check at the visitor center for any warnings.
Visitor Center + Camping
The visitor center is accessible with two accessible parking spots, automatic doors, and accessible restrooms inside.
The Fruita Campground has four campsites with accessible features, and nearby flush toilets, and site #26 has the most modifications including a picnic table with an extended end, raised firepit, and BBQ. Additionally, sites #63 and #14 have an electrical outlet to charge medical devices.
