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My parents and I moved on to Capitol Reef National Park, the last of the Big Five National Parks in Utah (after visiting Arches and Canyonlands National Parks on this trip, and Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks back in October 2014). We were on our return to Salt Lake City, so unfortunately we didn’t have much time to hike here.
Capitol Reef National Park is a long and skinny national park that follows the waterpocket fold. We drove through the northern end of the park along the paved highway 24.
The Behunin Cabin, located just off to the side of the highway, is a small, single-room sandstone house that housed Elijah Cutler Behunin and his family for a year. The guidebooks say that his family of 10 lived here before moving to nearby Fruita, but the kids slept outside. We wondered, incredulously, where would they sleep?! Plus, it was quite cold and overcast when we visited in May.
The Fruita Schoolhouse, built around 1912, where the first schoolteacher was a twelve-year-old. The school was eventually discontinued due to lack of students.
Above is The Castle, a landmark rock formation along the Waterpocket Fold.
We had wanted to hike the famous Capitol Gorge trail, but the road was closed due to flooding. That day, we heard that it had snowed in Bryce Canyon National Park and that there was a flash flood in the Narrows of Zion National Park, where several hikers died. I had wanted to hike Capitol Gorge because it passes by a petroglyph panel, the Pioneer Register which has several hundred historic signatures, a small natural arch, and several water-filled potholes, the Tanks. I guess this just means I need to return when the weather is better.
We drove down the Scenic Drive down from Highway 24 and then an unpaved road in order to get to Capitol Gorge trailhead. This road crossed several wadis (washes) that we had to navigate in our 25-foot RV. We also had to drive slowly since the road, in some places, was only wide enough for one vehicle.
The rock formations lining Highway 24 were spectacularly striped.
Near Fruita, the former Mormon settlement along the Fremont River, we visited the old blacksmith’s shop.
Being the daughter of a blacksmith, my mom recognized many of the tools and equipment here.
Not being the daughter of a blacksmith, I recognized the anvil from watching cartoons.
The day was cool and cloudy, and my mom and I were only able to hike the short, easy trail to the Goosenecks Overlook.
Goosenecks Point had a great view of the winding bends of Sulphur Creek, which cuts through Capitol Reef National Park, following the highway.
The dropoff was very steep, so even though there is a railguard, be careful.
The Goosenecks Overlook trailhead is less than a mile on a dirt road from Highway 24 at the Panorama Point turnoff west of the visitor centre. My mom and I didn’t know this, so we parked at Panorama Point and walked along the road to the trailhead. Several cars offered to give us a lift, but it was just one mile and it wasn’t raining, so we were happy to decline. We were here to hike, after all!
This guy parked in front of us at the Panorama Point. As you can see, this person is a photographer and has traveled extensively in this camping getup. I want to be this person!
After spending a couple hours at Capitol Reef National Park, we had to leave and make our way to Salt Lake City.
It was early May, but there was snow in these hills. We passed several farms, including one that raised bison, and got back to Salt Lake City after a couple hours. We stayed there just one night before flying back to Toronto.
Check out our travels to Utah’s Big Five National Parks:
As well as:
Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing.
Awesome photos! Ten people in that little cabin? Too much! (Even if the kids slept outside.) The “Castle” is beautiful, and the Gooseneck Overlook has a tremendous view, for a short trail.
Thank your for taking us along on your trip!!
I have yet to go to Utah. I hear all the National Parks you mentioned are worth seeing and your pictures support that!!
Such beautiful country!
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Too bad about the flooding but it looks like you still got to see some cool things!
Incredible! The rock formations are fascinating and a family of 10 in that little cabin. Talk about not having your own space. Appreciate you sharing your travels with us once again.
What kind of bird is that in the first photo?
Beautiful images.
I’d love you to share at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/05/snorkeling-on-saint-thomas.html
Well, at least you had the opportunity to visit. This is the park that is mostly skipped in Utah since it is kind of in the middle. It the paved road short? I think most of the driving has to be done in a 4 x 4.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. Utah is one of my all-time favorite places to explore. We were here a few years ago, but like you, we didn’t have a lot of time to explore, and we missed the fruit harvest by about a week, which was disappointing. Can’t wait to go back!
What a great adventure!! And what beautiful pictures!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite things on Thursday!! Hope to see you again tomorrow!! Pinned!
Wow, what an amazing place!! Love the pictures too. I would love to discover that part of the US which is not so known by tourists.
Thank you so much for sharing it at Sweet Inspiration party!
Capital Reef is an amazing place to visit. It is not very far from where my parents lied. We have been there several times. I am so glad that you got to experience the beauty of Southern Utah. There are few places in the world that can rival the breath-taking scenery of that area. Another thing I enjoy is the people. Very friendly and caring. thanks for sharing your travels with us!
Loved seeing the pictures of your trip! Beautiful country in Utah.
Reminds me of the wild west. Beautiful photos and I hope you made a photo album of them. Remember those.
Hi Meinhilde!
What an interesting travelogue! My hubby and I visited Utah 2 years ago & I fell in love with the scenery then. We didn’t have nearly enough time either. Never got to see Capitol Reef. Your pictures are gorgeous. I know you had a great time RV’ing. We are RVers too.
First time here…saw your post on Craft Frenzy Friday.
Florence
Your pictures made me feel I was there! thanks!
Beautiful landscape photos! Enjoyed your stories behind the blacksmith equipment and how it told a story to your family.
I love Capital Reef. Being from central Utah, I’ve been there a lot! Hope you enjoyed your travels.
Meinhilde, what a beautiful place Utah is!! Great pictures!! The anvil part you wrote about is hilarious! Maybe someday you’ll be a traveling photographer…wouldn’t that be awesome!!?
Beautiful photos! I love traveling and would love to head back through Utah and explore a bit more. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & shared.