Scramble the Cathedral Valley Loop
ScenicModerateSpringFall
Take a high-clearance vehicle to the Temple of the Sun and Moon for the most remote and iconic views in Capitol Reef.
Itinerary tips
- 1Plan for a full 6 to 8-hour day to complete the 58-mile loop comfortably.
- 2Check the Fremont River ford depth at the Visitor Center before heading to the Hartnet Road entrance.
- 3Carry at least two full-sized spare tires and extra water, as cell service is nonexistent and tow costs are extreme.
- 4Pack a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to navigate deep sand, bentonite clay, and sharp volcanic rocks.
- 5Download offline maps or bring a physical USGS topo map to navigate the unmarked junctions in the backcountry.
- 6Stop at the Glass Mountain gypsum mound near the Temples for a unique geological photo op.
More in Southern Utah Parks
Stargaze at Mossy Cave Trail
Witness the Milky Way arching over Bryce Canyon's hoodoos in one of the world’s darkest International Dark Sky Parks.
ScenicDrive Hell’s Backbone Road
Traverse a terrifyingly beautiful gravel bridge spanning thousands of feet of drop-offs between Boulder and Escalante.
ScenicWalk Among Giants at Kodachrome Basin
Photograph the 67 monolithic stone spires, or 'sedimentary pipes,' that puncture the bright blue Southern Utah sky.
ScenicOverlook the Waterpocket Fold at Strike Valley
Witness the massive 100-mile warp in the earth’s crust from the best vantage point in the region.
Scenic
