Utah is our favorite state. We love Utah’s natural beauty and the five national parks. We have been to Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, and Zion before. We have now visited all five of the national parks Utah has to offer.
Curtis Bench Trail in Goblin Valley State Park
I know this post is about Capitol Reef National Park but we couldn’t help and visit Goblin Valley State Park. When we did visit we went on a hike known as Curtis Bench Trail. This is a 2 mile trail which gives you a view of all the main attractions in this park. There was no one else on this trail. There is parking for it . As you continue and get to the end of the trail you get closer to the goblin structures. When we first started hiking we were wondering why we started hiking here when everyone else is across the street and there were no goblin structures within walking distance. We continued walking and we were so glad we did. This place is magical.
Petroglyphs
In Capitol Reef National Park you can find petroglyphs. These petroglyphs were made by the Fremont culture who like later settlers were farmers. The hike takes you on a boardwalk which keeps you above a creek and is very close to the petroglyphs. These petroglyphs have been carved onto sandstone which looks really cool. Sadly there is vandalism near some of these which is something that is strictly prohibited by the park itself.
Hickman Bridge Trail
Hickman Bridge Trail is a place to experience what makes Arches National Park popular in Capatol Reef National Park. Here you go through a canyon and find arch structures which survived corrosion. As we went through we found multiple arches before we even saw the one which this trail is known for. This is a 1.7 mile loop which is not that hard to hike. This is a popular hike and we can see why.
Capitol Gorge Trail
Capitol Gorge Trail is a trail which we first had to drive to which was probably the best part about it. Imagine driving through a extremely high canyon on a dirt road. This is not a good place to visit if there is a lot of rain. Flash floods can occur here. Once you drive through the stunning scenery you get to the trail which is even tighter than the road. Now you get to enjoy the scenery by foot. Capitol Gorge Trail is a mile long.
Gifford Homestead and Pies
Gifford Homestead is a business you can find in Capitol Reef National Park. This business is the original which was built by the early mormon settlers of this area. Today while they don’t use the fruits from the orchards, they do use fruit from Utah in the pies they sell. These pies are quite delicious. They are sold individually and are full of fruit. They are also made daily and typically run out towards the end of the day.
Panorama Point
Panorama Point is a lookout in Capitol Reef which like many of these higher lookouts in parks serves the purpose of giving you a view of the park from above. Since this isn’t so high though you can see both the bottom of the canyons and the peaks higher than you. It is gorgeous all around.
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