Capitol Reef is located in south central Utah some 60 miles south of I-70. It is not near any substantial towns. Its isolation makes it the least visited of Utah’s national parks and the lack of crowds definitely adds to the experience.

Capitol Reef National Park encloses a 100 mile long ridge of rock that was thrust up from the earth millions of year ago. The strata that was forced upward folded back on itself trapping water in the process – a “waterpocket fold”. Erosion subsequently created marvelously colored and wildly varied rock formations of great beauty out of the ridge. The “reef” describes the barrier created by the rock while “capitol” refers to several dome like rock formations resembling the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Entering Capitol Reef National Park from the west affords one a spectacular view of its most outstanding feature, the Waterpocket Fold. This 100 mile long fold in the earth’s crust is carved deep with canyons. The enigmatic artwork of the Fremont culture can still be seen on cliff faces, and rocks of all colors flow in ribbons through the park.