Canyonlands-Capitol Reef, Worth the trip?

[DonBaja]

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.

[jepalmer]

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]

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]

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]

any recommendations for "shortish" hikes for someone with mildly limited mobility?
Thanks

[Dave5143]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Capital Reef - one of my favorites... go find out why for yourself and see it's worth it. 🙂

[caver]

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.

[Busskipper]

2gypsies wrote:
If going to Capitol Reef, definitely take in Hwy 12. Stop in Escalante and go to Spooky and Peek-a-Boo slot canyons.... fun!

^^^^^^^^^^I Agree^^^^^^^^^^

Images and a Map or two

[2gypsies1]

If going to Capitol Reef, definitely take in Hwy 12. Stop in Escalante and go to Spooky and Peek-a-Boo slot canyons.... fun!

[BarryG20]

In addition to Little Wildhorse and Bell Canyons if you like slots I believe just to the north you have Crack and Chute which is longer and a bit more adventurous but nothing really technical. And just to the south Ding and Dang Canyons. Neither of which require any technical gear. Crack and Chute is longer but Ding and Dang about the same or a bit longer than Wildhorse and Bell.

[GREGORYJ]

Many have mentioned Goblin Valley State Park between Moab and Capitol Reef. If you go to Goblin Valley, ask the park staff about the Bell Canyon and Little Wild Horse Canyon just a few miles out side Goblin Valley. If you hike, this might be the highlight of your trip. Little Wild Horse was dry, Bell Canyon had some pools of water but was fun.