Capitol Reef National Park Camping

The defining feature of Capitol Reef National Park is the 100-mile long Waterpocket Fold, a warped portion of the Earth's crust that juts upward in an otherwise flat environment. While visiting the park in southern Utah, you can mountain bike, rock climb and hike through winding canyons and rock formations. When through with the day's activities you can retreat to a variety of campgrounds including those with developed facilities such as flush toilets and water or primitive sites in set in secluded desert and canyon areas.

Developed Camping

Capitol Reef National Park has only one developed campground. Fruita Campground has 71 RV and tent campsites with drinking water, flush toilets and a dump station. The campground does not have water, electric or sewer hookups for RVs and camper trailers. The grounds are made up of two loops, A and B, and sites are filled on a first-come first-served basis. If you wish to camp at Fruita, the park service advises arriving in the morning or early afternoon, as sites typically fill as early as mid-afternoon during the spring, summer and fall seasons.

Primitive Camping

Two primitive campgrounds are in the park. Cathedral Valley and Cedar Mesa campgrounds have pit toilets on-site, but no drinking water. Cathedral Valley is 36 miles from the park visitor center along Cathedral Valley Loop Road. Cedar Mesa Campground is on Notom-Bullfrog road and sits at the trailhead of the Red Canyon Trail that winds through Pinyon and Juniper trees on its way to on of the park's box canyons.

Group Camping

Group camping is available near Fruita Campground at a secluded site that accommodates up to 40 people and 10 vehicles. The group camping area is open from April 1 to Oct. 20 and is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for grounds keeping. To make a reservation for the site, you must fax or mail your group leader name and address, number of people and vehicles in the party, date of stay and alternate dates to the park office.

Backcountry Camping

Overnight hiking trips through the park's backcountry require a free camping permit available at the park visitor center. Hiking trails in the park will lead you through tight gorges and canyons as well as to high scenic views atop the park's signature Waterpocket Fold. Backpacking groups must be 12 people or less. You must make camp at least half a mile from roads and trials, carry all trash out and bury human waste 6 inches deep and 100 feet from the nearest water source. No backcountry sites or amenities are in the park.

Hiking in the Park

While camping at Capitol Reef you can explore the park's wilderness areas along a number of trails that wind through narrow gorges such as Capitol Gorge trail, which follows the Capitol Wash through the Waterpocket Fold. You can also head out on more adventurous excursions. Sheets Gulch Trail is a strenuous hike that involves scrambling over loose rocks, locating sparse trails in the canyon wilderness and even wading through creeks and other water accumulations.