Explore the Strike Valley Overlook
ScenicEasyYear-round
Witness the dramatic geological tilt of the Waterpocket Fold from this remote vantage point accessible via a bumpy 4WD road. The low autumn sun highlights the color contrast between the white Navajo sandstone and red Wingate layers.
Itinerary tips
- 1Plan for at least 3 hours to accommodate the slow, technical drive along the Burr Trail and the 3-mile roundtrip hike.
- 2Ensure your vehicle has high clearance and true 4WD to navigate the deep sand and rocky washes on the final 3-mile access road.
- 3Pack a high-quality polarizing lens filter to capture the intense contrast between the white Navajo and red Wingate sandstone layers.
- 4Download offline maps or carry a physical topographic map, as cellular reception is non-existent throughout the Waterpocket Fold.
- 5Carry at least two liters of water per person even in cooler months, as the high desert air rapidly dehydrates hikers.
- 6Obtain a free day-use permit at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center if you plan to continue your journey into the back-country canyons.
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