Page Type:
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Canyon |
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Lat/Lon:
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38.20950°N / 111.1686°W |
Season:
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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter |
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Overview
Capitol Gorge is a popular hike in Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park. The hike starts near the park’s Scenic Drive and heads east going through a narrow canyon with no technical difficulties. After around 0.8 miles, the canyon opens up and can be followed another 1.4 miles to reach the parks eastern boundary where the canyon fades away. Halfway through the hike a side trail known as Tank Trail goes 120 vertical feet up the northern wall of the canyon to reach a few natural holes that usually fill with rain water.
A number of petroglyphs can be seen on the north wall of the canyon a few minutes from the trailhead.
Getting There
From the Visitor Center on Route 24, drive just less than 8 miles south on Scenic Drive to the end of the pavement. Turn left and follow the well graded dirt road 2.2 miles through a tight scenic canyon to its end at the designated parking area.
The Hike
From the parking area, head east through the narrows.
After around 0.8 miles, the canyon widens and you will see a sign for Tank Trail on the north side of the canyon. Follow the trail up the slickrock slopes. You can soon look down into the narrows where you came from.
When I was in the area, the water holes known as Tanks were totally dry.
Return to the canyon and continue east.
As you keep going, the walls of the canyon become shorter.
I saw a couple of small walls that looked like dams filled with dirt.
The canyon fades away near the eastern boundary of the park.
