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Capitol Reef National Park
in Central Utah
Capitol Reef National Park
is not as well-traveled as some of the other well known parks. This makes it a perfect place to avoid crowds. And it has all the gorgeous scenery you could possibly want. There are plenty of things to do, such as, camping, hiking, ranger-guided tours, talks and evening programs (no charge), backpacking, rock climbing, biking, back country horse riding, and road touring. If approaching the Park from Hanksville, Utah, (east of the park), on Highway 24, you can drive across the park, stop and look, have a picnic lunch, snap a few pictures, and it costs nothing. You will end up in Torrey, Utah on the west side of the park. If you stop at the visitor's center (95 miles west of Hanksville on Highway 24), there is a fee, which gives you access to the rest of the park to the south.
I guarantee you will not be disappointed if you visit Capitol Reef National Park. The scenery is more varied than you could imagine. (I call this "the fortress" in the photo to left.) The camping and hiking and other activities are plentiful, whether you like developed camping, primitive camping or are an avid backpacker.
Maybe you prefer to stay in a civilized atmosphere and a warm, comfy bed, and take a few day trips into the park. Torrey, Utah has several nice motels, cabins or B&Bs as well as some good restaurants.Check out:
Wonderland Inn
Sky Ridge Inn Bed & Breakfast
Cowboy Homestead Cabins
Cafe Diablo
The Rim Rock Inn & Restaurants
. . . and there are quite a few others, including a great coffee & candy shop, hamburger place, deli, etc. Torrey, Utah is a great place to have your base camp while you explore Capitol Reef National Park.
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