Capitol Reef National Park Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Capitol Reef National Park. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Canyonlands NP. Backcountry Morning or Afternoon 4X4 JEEP

• Cathedral Valley, Capitol Reef, Private 4X4 Trip

• Capitol Reef National Park: Cathedral Valley Off-Road Jeep Tour

• Bentonite Hills Cathedral Valley Half Day Tour

• Capitol Reef Photography Tours

Currently, one-week passes to Capitol Reef National Park cost US$20 for visitors in a private vehicle, US$15 if you enter the park on a motorcycle, and US$10 if you’re walking or biking. An annual pass for the park costs US$35 (available to US residents), and Capitol Reef is also included in the America the Beautiful Pass.

Yes, Capitol Reef National Park is worth visiting. One of Utah's most notable national parks, Capitol Reef is situated among the state's Mars-like red rock country. It's known for its many dramatic rock formations and natural features, from canyons and cliffs to natural arches, and is home to wildlife including bighorn sheep and mountain lions. For nature lovers, visiting is a must; many tours are available that offer round-trip transportation and guide services for easier logistics.

Per one customer who booked the Capitol Reef National Park: Cathedral Valley Off-Road Jeep Tour, "I felt very secure and very comfortable during the entire tour and the views were really breathtaking. Couldn't even believe that everything was real. I was also really happy to see the respect for the landscape Mel showed, and his knowledge about geology is very impressive. I highly recommend this tour."

Since Capitol Reef National Park is relatively compact, you can explore some key highlights in just one day—or even less. One day is enough to take in its 7.9-mile (12.7-kilometer) Scenic Drive, visit the Gifford Homestead built by early Mormon settlers, take a hike, and see ancient petroglyphs.

You can explore the Scenic Drive through Canyonlands National Park in about two hours. The 7.9-mile (12.7-kilometer) paved route leads south from Fruita past sedimentary rock formations, escarpment views, and Wingate Sandstone. Its spur roads into Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge are unpaved but suitable for most cars.

Spring and fall are the best times to visit Capitol Reef National Park. The seasons' mild, relatively stable weather is comfortable for hiking, camping, and cycling. After a busy period from March through June, the park stays relatively quiet through summer's heat, and then bustles again starting in early September.

Capitol Reef is a place to experience Utah’s red-rock canyons, soaring cliffs, and world-class hiking without the crowds that fill the state’s more famous national parks. It’s also home to fascinating history, from ancient Fremont Culture petroglyphs to the 1908 Gifford Homestead that offers a glimpse of early Mormon settlements.

Yes, there are black bears in Capitol Reef National Park, but encounters with bears are rare. Visitors are more likely to spot the park’s diverse bird species, desert lizards, or desert bighorn sheep. The curly horned native sheep are now common in the area, after being reintroduced in the 1990s.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Capitol Reef National Park. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Utah:

• Colorado River

• Zion National Park

• Lake Powell

• Arches National Park

• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Utah.