We've done the best known National Parks in the west and are working our way through the second tier. What can you tell me about these two parks? Thanks.Is hwy 50, west of the parks, good road.

Everyone likes different things but I will give you my impressions from our trip last fall. I wouldn’t take time to visit Capitol Reef NP. While it is a unusual geological feature, it is basically a large ridge. We stayed at Dead Horse Point State Park outside Moab when we visited Canyonland and Arches National Park. The parks and Moab are worth visiting. We spent 5-6 days there and stayed busy.

I agree with Jim regarding the area. The DW and I love the area from Canyonlands and Arches South to the Vermillion Clifts and the GC.There are so many places in that area that are more than just desert, tons of fantastic geological features and ancient first nations peoples settlements.I could go on and on but you asked about Hwy 50, it joins 70 in Utah and is a very scenic drive. The Nevada portion is called the Loneliest Road In The World for a reason. It is a good road but it can be boreing. We loved 21 going to Great Basin. There is a lot of up and down but we were there the first weed in June and the Globe Mallos were in bloom. Miles and miles of orange to red flowers.

If you like great scenery and hike, you might like Capital Reef.

For whatever it is worth, Highway 12 goes south from Capital Reef, and is beautiful....only if you like scenery!!!

Our national parks were chosen for a reason. Don't pass any up. They all have something unique and special. The geology of Capitol Reef is beautiful and hiking great - all levels. The campground there is extremely calming and pleasant. There are two drivable sections of Canyonlands and each is completely different - Needles and Island in the Sky. Needles has a very nice campground and don't pass up Newspaper Rock on your way to the park. For Island in the Sky we love Dead Horse Point State Park. If you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle these parks are doubly fun!

Canyonlands-Capitol Reef, Worth the trip? | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

jepalmer
Explorer
Oct 31, 2019
DonBaja wrote:
We've done the best known National Parks in the west and are working our way through the second tier. What can you tell me about these two parks? Thanks.

Is hwy 50, west of the parks, good road.

We loved Capitol Reef and plan to come back next year. Get the apple pie at the Gifford House :).

We also like Canyonlands. Worth a couple of days
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Sep 19, 2018
jepalmer wrote:
any recommendations for "shortish" hikes for someone with mildly limited mobility?
Thanks

All national parks have great web sites for things to do, camping, road information, special alert and hiking:

https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/trailguide.htm
vermilye
Explorer
Sep 18, 2018
For those that don't hike, the Scenic Drive in Capitol Reef is a beautiful road. While I have done most of the hikes in the park, yesterday's visit was with some folks that don't do long hikes - here are some photos of the park that don't involve any long hikes: Capitol Reef
jepalmer
Explorer
Sep 18, 2018
any recommendations for "shortish" hikes for someone with mildly limited mobility?
Thanks
Dave5143
Explorer
Sep 12, 2018
Roy&Lynne wrote:
Thanks for this post. We also plan to do Capital Reef. Unable to hike any more, but the scenery looks amazing Thanks all for the info and pictures.

Make sure you buy some of the pies they sell in the Fruita area of the park. They sell them at the Giffords House. Yum.
Roy_Lynne
Explorer
Sep 11, 2018
Thanks for this post. We also plan to do Capital Reef. Unable to hike any more, but the scenery looks amazing Thanks all for the info and pictures.
Dually
Explorer
Sep 10, 2018
The highlight of our trip to Capital Reef was spending a night at the Cathedral Valley Campground it is a primitive site well off the main road, We left the camper in the main campground and pitched a tent for the night, it was magical.
mt1729
Explorer
Sep 02, 2018
Those were some beautiful pictures Crosscheck & Gregory J both posted. Wife & I love that whole area. Don't miss any of it if you can help it. All the way from the Escalante to Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Pt. Shaffer trail, Moki Dugway. It is all worth visiting if you have the time.
monkey44
Nomad II
Sep 01, 2018
Capital Reef - one of my favorites... go find out why for yourself and see it's worth it. :)
caver
Nomad
Sep 01, 2018
If passing through Hanksville, find the BLM office a few blocks off the main road. A long time ago they took apart and rebuilt the old Wolverton Mill which was originally way up in the Henry Mountains south of there. It's now right by the BLM offices. It's a good place to get local info too. Years ago I found the old mill site which was a scattered pile of lumber and remnants of a wooden flume.