Capitol Reef National Park is a bit different from the other Utah parks. The shape of it is very long and actually runs along Grand Staircase Escalante and down to Glen Canyon. But what makes it unique is that it has a highway that runs through the middle of it. You can actually drive through this national park and see several viewpoints without having to pay an entrance fee. The Capitol Reef Highway 24 stops are definitely worth seeing and fun to stop at on your road trip through Utah.
Highway 24 goes from the town of Torrey over to Caineville. The drive itself is along a 2-lane road with stops and viewpoints right off the road. The road winds around rocks and formations, so you’re typically driving at a slower pace anyway. Drive slow, hop off when you see a viewpoint, take some pictures and be on your way again.
Highway 24 Stops
There are quite a few Capitol Reef Highway 24 stops that you can see for free. But of course if you want to explore the park further, you will end up paying an entrance fee. But here are the stops you can see for free on the way from Torrey to Caineville:
Twin Rocks
The twin Rocks pop up on you real quick when you start the drive. Before we even realized there was a stop, we were already in front of it and on our way past. The stop has 2 rocks that are similar. They aren’t that big or that interesting haha. But, it’s the first stop.
Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock is a little bit larger of a formation and definitely an interesting place to stop. The rock ridges are pretty fascinating and the end rock juts up in the odd shape that looks like a chimney.
Panorama Point
One of the main points to see along the way is a spot called Panorama Point. I didn’t capture the best picture of it but it has a little rock outcropping with a wide open view in front of it.
Goosenecks Overlook
Goosenecks Overlook is just down the way from Panorama Point. It’s about 1.5 mile down the road. I read that it was less exciting than Panorama Point so we decided to continue on down the road but I think it’s very similar.
The Castle
Another viewpoint that’s easy to snap a picture of from the road is The Castle. It’s a rock formation in the shape of a castle tower that sticks up from some of the other rock layers.
Historic Fruita School
If there wasn’t a sign for this stop, you might just drive by without even knowing what you’re passing. There’s a tiny log cabin next to the road that used to be a school around 1896. Apparently the first teacher was a 12 year old girl that was one of the Behunin’s 13 kids (You’ll see their home further down the road). And there were 22 students that somehow fit inside the little cabin.
Petroglyphs
Along one of the rock cliffs next to the road is where you can find petroglyphs from the Fremont Culture. They are pictures carved into the wall that you can see while walking a boardwalk next to the rock.
Hickman Natural Bridge
The Hickman Bridge trail is a short walk up from the road. The trail is about .9 miles up to the bridge and a little steep and rocky. The trail is labeled as moderate and is 1.8 mi roundtrip. This is probably the only stop along the way that isn’t easy to see from highway 24.
Capitol Dome
The Capitol Dome is a pretty large rock that resembles a dome you’d see on top of a capitol building. It’s a round, light-colored rock with a little point on top. You can see this one while you drive down the road so keep an eye out for the pointed top.
Behunin Cabin
This is another little cabin you’ll see driving down the road that is a good representation of early settlers’ homes. It’s a simple structure that was built by the Behunin family. The home is very small, like the school house, which is incredible when you learn that they had 13 children.
Once you pass the Behunin Cabin, you’re pretty much on your way out of the park. But keep your eyes open because the landscape continues to impress once you’re out of Capitol Reef. When you hit Caineville, you’ll start to see some crazy mesas. Further down the road is actually where the Mars research center is because the landscape is so similar.
Whether you’re just driving through, or opting to explore more of the park, the Capitol Reef highway 24 stops are definitely worth seeing. The drive is beautiful and the stops/viewpoints are easy. Capitol Reef has some really neat rock formations. See where Capitol Reef National Park ranks in the Big 5 national parks!
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