Capitol Reef Scenic Drive: You May Have Trouble Keeping Your Eyes on the Road
On a sunny day, few roads are as stunning as the Scenic Drive through Capitol Reef National Park. It may sound cliché, but the views really do stop you in your tracks. Whenever we’re anywhere near this part of Utah, this drive is on our must-do list. So is buying pies at the Gifford House before we start the drive.
An easy way to understand the geology of the park
This drive is one of the simplest ways to understand Capitol Reef’s geology without heading deep into the backcountry. The 7.9-mile paved road cuts straight into the Waterpocket Fold, a long wrinkle in the earth that defines the park. It’s a dead-end road, and the 16-mile round trip feels different going in than coming out, as each direction offers unique perspectives on the surrounding cliffs.
The drive begins in the Fruita Historic District and quickly leaves the orchards behind. Cliffs close in. Colors shift. You move between layers of Moenkopi and Chinle rock that rise straight up from just beyond the pavement.
No need to hurry
Plan to stop often. Pull into viewpoints. Walk a short distance from the road to get a better sense of scale. Sometimes we do even less than that, setting out lawn chairs and having a snack while soaking it all in.
Most people should budget 90 minutes to two hours, including photo stops. The road is paved the entire way and is suitable for standard cars. Vehicles longer than 27 feet are restricted in narrow sections. A park entrance fee is required and valid for seven days.
At the end of the pavement, the road continues as dirt into Capitol Gorge. In places, it feels like driving through a slot canyon and is well worth checking out. These sections are often passable for sedans in dry weather, but flash floods are a serious concern during storms.
Pro tip: Buy pies, then drive the drive
Before you start the drive, stop at the Gifford Homestead. Their pies and cinnamon rolls are famous and often sell out by early afternoon. Buy first, then enjoy them later at a picnic area or at the end of the road. The Gifford House begins selling baked goods every March 14 – Pi Day – and usually continues through late November.
