Capitol Reef National Park — Visitor Info

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Capitol Reef National Park protects the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth's crust, along with the historic Fruita orchards and district. It's one of Utah's quieter national parks — less crowded than its Mighty 5 neighbors, but just as dramatic. Here's what to know before you go.

Page content last verified: July 2026

Check current conditions before you go: Cell service is extremely limited throughout the park — download or print your entrance pass before you arrive. Always check the official Capitol Reef Alerts & Conditions page first, especially for unpaved roads like the Cathedral Valley and Notom-Bullfrog loops.
Quick Facts
Location
South-central Utah, near Torrey
Entrance Fee
$20/vehicle (7 days)
Reservation Needed to Enter?
No
Permit Needed For
Backpacking, canyoneering, rock climbing/bouldering (all free)
Lodging
None in-park — camping only, or stay in nearby Torrey
Managed By
National Park Service

Visitor Centers

Capitol Reef Visitor Center
At the west entrance, about 8 miles from Torrey on UT-24. Open year-round; hours shift seasonally.

Confirm current hours on the official NPS visitor center page before you go.

Entrance Fees & Passes

The entrance fee is $20 per vehicle (motorcycle $15, per person on foot/bike $10), valid for 7 days. An Annual Pass is $35. Digital site passes can be bought in advance at Recreation.gov — download or print yours before arriving, since cell connectivity in the park is extremely limited. As of 2026, all commercial road-based tours require a Commercial Use Authorization in addition to the entrance fee.

Every Kid Outdoors — Free 4th Grade Pass

4th graders (and their families) can visit free with an Every Kid Outdoors pass, available at everykidoutdoors.gov.

Permits & Reservations

You do not need a permit to enter the park or day-hike. You do need a free permit, available at the visitor center, for:

Backpacking

A free backcountry permit is required for all overnight backpacking trips.

Canyoneering, Rock Climbing & Bouldering

Free day-use permits are required for all canyoneering, rock climbing, and bouldering groups, obtainable in person at the visitor center or online via email.

Campgrounds & RV Options

Capitol Reef has one developed campground and two primitive ones. There are no electric hookups anywhere in the park.

Fruita Campground
71 sites along the Fremont River, in the heart of the historic Fruita orchards. Potable water and an RV dump station on-site, but no electric hookups. Reservable year-round via Recreation.gov, up to 6 months ahead.
Cathedral Valley Campground
6 primitive sites, no fee, about 36 miles from the visitor center along the Cathedral Valley loop road. No water — bring plenty. High-clearance vehicle recommended.
Cedar Mesa Campground
5 primitive sites, no fee, first-come, first-served. Reachable by 2WD but high-clearance is advised. Pit toilet only, no water.

Fees and current details: NPS – Camping.

Good to Know

  • Extremely limited cell service: download maps, your entrance pass, and any reservations before you arrive.
  • No gas stations in the park — fuel up in Torrey.
  • Historic orchards: Fruita's fruit trees are open for U-pick during harvest season for a small self-pay fee.
  • Unpaved backcountry roads (Cathedral Valley, Notom-Bullfrog, Burr Trail) can become impassable when wet — check conditions first.
  • Free permits, but still required: canyoneering, climbing, and backpacking all need a permit even though there's no fee.

More National Parks

See our other National Park visitor guides, or browse the full National Parks guide.

Fees, road conditions, and campground availability change from year to year. This page is a starting point for trip planning — always confirm current details on the official Capitol Reef National Park site before you go.

Sources: NPS – Fees & Passes · NPS – Primitive Campgrounds · NPS – Camping · NPS – Alerts & Conditions