Wandering through narrow, honeycomb-walled canyons. Standing beneath and atop natural arches. Snaking up cliffs backdropped by scenic valleys. Discovering natural pockets of water in the most unlikely places.
This is just a preview of what you can expect when you hike the beautiful trails at Capitol Reef National Park!
I’ve been to Capitol Reef twice now and have hiked over a dozen trails inside the park. In this guide, I’m narrowing down the top six trails you absolutely cannot miss.
By hiking these six trails in Capitol Reef, you’ll get to meander through narrow canyons, stand underneath massive arches, and get some of the most epic bird’s-eye views in the entire park.
Happy hiking!
6 Most EPIC Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
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1. Cohab Canyon
- Length: 3.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 744 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- AllTrails Link: Trail
If I had to choose, the Cohab Canyon Trail is probably my favorite hike in Capitol Reef.
Between the twists and turns through the honeycombed walls of the canyon and the jaw-dropping viewpoints of the snaking river, lush orchards, and red rock cliffs at the end of the hike, it’s a trail that shouldn’t be skipped.
The Cohab Canyon Trail begins just a quarter-mile from the Fruita Campground, so if you’re camping, you can conveniently walk to the trailhead! If you’re not camping or don’t want to walk, simply park in the large overflow lot across from the Gifford House.
Immediately from the trailhead, the trail launches into a rigorous ascent. But the seemingly endless switchbacks are softened by the expansive views, which stretch wider and wider as you inch toward the top.
Then begins the descent into the canyon, my favorite part of the trail! Inside the shady canyon, the dimpled walls creep closer and closer together, and the views shift to something new and exciting around each bend.
A little over a mile in, the trail branches off to two epic viewpoints of the Fruita Historic District. A nice cherry on top of a magnificent hike!
And the best part? You get to do it all over again to get back to the trailhead! But this time, you’re descending the switchbacks and are treated to front-facing views of the surrounding valley.
Psssst: We hiked this trail at sunset, and the views were chef’s kiss! 10/10 recommend!
2. Grand Wash
- Length: 4.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 374 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- AllTrails Link: Trail
Close your eyes and picture the Narrows in Zion, but take away the water. Voila! You have the Grand Wash Trail.
Instead of donning water shoes and wading through a rushing river surrounded by thousand-foot canyon walls, you’ll lace up your hiking shoes and casually stroll along a dry rockbed through a narrow canyon flanked by towering rock walls.
Grand Wash stretches about 2.5 miles from Highway 24 to the Cassidy Arch trailhead, so you can park at either end and hike in either direction. Your choice!
Both parking areas are small. The one off Highway 24 is paved shoulder parking, and the one off Grand Wash Road is a designated dirt lot. Each has room for about 15 to 20 vehicles.
Simply wander along the dry rockbed through the narrow canyon, which never gets so narrow that you have to squeeze through, and admire the way the rocks shift in size, color, and shape as you twist and turn down each corridor.
The most scenic part of the Grand Wash is ironically named the Narrows. As you probably guessed, this is the narrowest part of the wash. In this section, the walls close in tight with only about 15 or 20 feet between them.
Short on time? Cut the hike in half by hiking from the Highway 24 trailhead to the Narrows and back!
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP: Avoid this trail when storms are in the forecast! The canyon can fill up quickly.
3. Capitol Gorge to the Tanks
- Length: 2.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 216 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- AllTrails Link: Trail
When the road to a trailhead is exciting, you know you’re in for a treat! And the Capitol Gorge Trail sure didn’t disappoint.
Not only does this trail travel through a narrow wash with soaring canyon walls, but it features petroglyphs and natural water pockets. Think of these features like sprinkles on an already-iced cake. Fun little bonuses!
As I alluded to, getting to the trailhead is half the fun! Travel to the end of the paved Scenic Drive and enter the gravel portion. The 2.3-mile Capitol Gorge Road is narrow, windy, and bumpy, but is passable for most vehicles under 23 feet.
As you wind through the canyon, the walls creep closer and closer until you can’t see the tops out your window anymore.
Once you’re parked in the large gravel lot at the end of the road, start hiking through the wash! Each corridor around every bend is unique.
Keep your eyes peeled for petroglyphs that are etched into the rock shortly after the trailhead and again around a half-mile in.
And just before the one-mile mark, you’ll reach another fun waypoint: the spur trail to the Tanks! The Tanks are basically large potholes that act as natural basins for rainwater and snowmelt.
There is a clear sign indicating where to turn off for Tanks, but the rest of the trail to the Tanks is a little less clear, difficult to navigate, and is steep in sections.
If you’re interested in extending your hike, the Capitol Gorge Trail continues past the Tanks spur for another 1.5 miles!
Remember, the only way out is to turn around and retrace your steps. There are no alternate routes. Just like any other canyon, be sure to avoid this area when storms are in the vicinity!
4. Hickman Bridge
- Length: 1.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 416 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- AllTrails Link: Trail
Seeing a natural bridge is exciting. But getting to stand beneath one and walk through it is another layer of excitement. At least for me!
I’m talking about Hickman Bridge! Due to its short length and unique natural arch, this is one of the most hiked trails in the entire park.
Parking for Hickman Bridge is located in a designated lot off Highway 24. The lot is tiny, with room for only 15 to 20 vehicles, so plan on arriving before 8 AM (or later in the evening) to snag a spot!
The trail to Hickman Bridge starts along the Fremont River. Thanks to the close-cropped rock walls, this area is notorious for rockfalls, so keep moving and don’t stop for photos along this first stretch. Once you bypass the rock walls, it’s safe to take breaks, photos, etc.
Right after the trail veers away from the river, you’ll begin ascending a series of switchbacks. At the top, you’ll then navigate slickrock, using cairns to guide your way, before taking the final loop to the bridge.
Since the trail passes underneath the natural arch, you can walk all the way up to it, sit in its shade for a snack, and snap some photos. It’s directly underneath the bridge that you can gauge just how large it really is: 125 feet tall and 133 feet wide!
Walk through the arch and finish the loop before heading back to your car!
5. Cassidy Arch
- Length: 3.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: 662 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Type of Trail: Out & back
- AllTrails Link: Trail
Cassidy Arch might be the most iconic trail in the entire park. Named after the famous outlaw Butchy Cassidy, who used the arch and surrounding area as a hideout, this impressive natural bridge spans roughly 40 feet across a wide chasm and stands 400 feet off the desert floor.
And unlike most other natural arches in Utah, this one is legal to walk on!
To get to Cassidy Arch, drive about 3 miles past the Visitor Center on the Scenic Drive, turn left onto Grand Wash Road, and park in the gravel lot at the end of the road. This gravel road is nicely graded, so most vehicles under 23 feet can safely travel on it.
However, do not attempt to drive on the road if storms are in the area. Parked (and moving) vehicles can be rapidly swept away. And for the same reason, don’t park anywhere besides the small designated lot.
Similar to the other popular trails, like Hickman Bridge, it’s best to arrive first thing in the morning in order to grab a coveted spot!
From the trailhead, you’ll ascend some steep switchbacks before skirting the bends and following the curves of the red rock cliffs.
Then you’ll navigate giant slabs of slickrock for the final quarter-mile, using cairns to guide the way, until you reach the arch.
Unlike Hickman Bridge, Cassidy Arch is less obvious at first. Instead of seeing it rise in front of and above you, you’ll need to look down to see the arch!
Stand directly in front of it to get the best view of all of its sheer glory. And of course, those who aren’t afraid of heights can walk across it. Don’t worry; it’s wide enough!
6. Chimney Rock
- Length: 3.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: 797 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Type of Trail: Loop
- AllTrails Link: Trail
If sweeping, panoramic views are your jam, look no further than Chimney Rock! This loop showcases Capitol Reef’s glorious red rock landscape by giving hikers a bird’s-eye view of the miles and miles of uneven red rock cliffs.
In this loop, you’ll be winding from the base of the red rocks to the tip-tops and getting an aerial view of Highway 24 and the surrounding red-cliffed desert.
Parking for Chimney Rocks is located on Highway 24. The paved parking lot only holds about a dozen vehicles. Even though it’s not the most popular trail in the park, the lot can still fill up because of its small size.
The hike starts with some gentle elevation followed by a series of steep switchbacks before approaching the beginning of the loop.
In my opinion, the south end of the loop is the most scenic, as it perches hikers atop the cliffs and above Chimney Rock, gifting them with panoramic views of Capitol Reef National Park.
Because of this, most people will veer right at the loop to reach the views more quickly. However, going counterclockwise is steeper!
So if you’re going to hike the entire loop, and aren’t just there for the sunset views at Chimney Rock Overlook and/or Mummy Cliff Lookout, I’d recommend turning left at the junction and hiking the loop clockwise. You’ll run into fewer people and save the best views for the last (as you’re descending!). Win, win!
Even though the south portion of the loop is the most scenic, the north end is still worth hiking. It’s nice and quiet as it meanders along the base of the red rocks before climbing back up to the more expansive viewpoints.
What I love about this trail (and most others in the park) is that there’s always something to look at. This is especially nice when you need a distraction from the climbs!
And the viewpoints along Highway 24, including Chimney Rock, Mummy Cliff, and other unmarked/unnamed ones, are jaw-dropping!
Finish Planning Your Trip to Capitol Reef
I’ve been to Capitol Reef National Park twice, so let me help you plan your trip!
- Adventurous 3-Day Capitol Reef Itinerary
- Complete Guide to Exploring Capitol Reef National Park
- Cassidy Arch Trail Guide
- Capitol Reef Vs Canyonlands: Which Is Better?
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
- Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
- Kanab, Utah
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