Cathedral Valley, in the northern part of Capitol Reef National Park, is a mesmerizing geological wonder. The area gets its name from the towering rock formations that resemble Gothic cathedrals, with massive monoliths and intricate sedimentary layers creating a surreal landscape. Capitol Reef itself is known for its diverse and stunning red-rock scenery, but Cathedral Valley stands out as an extraordinary highlight within the park. It is an area I have visited many times over the years, and always enjoy. We did an overnight trip when our daughter was 5, and it was a trip she absolutely loved.

VISITING NOTES

SEASON: Spring and Fall are my preferred seasons for visiting. You can visit in the summer, though it can be hot if you intend to do any hiking. Winter can bring impassable roads if there is any snow, ice, or mud. I've done several October/early November trips that have been really lovely, especially with fall colors on Thousand Lake Mountain.

TIME: This CAN be driven in a half day if you are not interested in side hikes and are just hurrying through. My recommendation is at least a full day, and preferably as an overnight camping trip. Sunrise and sunsets are dramatic along the route, and camping helps you see these beautiful times of day.

ROAD CONSIDERATIONS: The common route, described here, is over 50 miles of dirt road. Though generally good, high clearance recommended.

Be sure to bring plenty of fuel, water, and food. Though in a national park, you can go days without seeing anyone else in this area. You need to be prepared to self-rescue if you have a mechanical or other issue.

Sections of the road are made up of bentonite clay. This clay is incredibly slippery when wet, so much so it is used as lubrication when drilling wells. Stay out of the area if precipitation has recently occurred or is in the forecast. Even the most off-road worthy vehicle will not make it far in bentonite if the road is wet.

The route requires crossing the Fremont River. This crossing is usually fairly straightforward, but can be impossible during spring runoff or after recent rains. Call the park's automated phone system at (435) 425-3791 and press 1 for visitor information; 4 for road conditions. This is updated regularly with information and depth of the ford. The USGS also maintains a stream guage near the ford ( https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09330230/#parameterCode=00060&period=P7D&showMedian=true ). I recommend less than 50 CFS on the guage for easy crossing though you can go a fair bit higher in high clearance vehicles.

You can drive the route in either direction. The common direction, described below, gets the river ford out of the way early in the drive and is generally how most people drive the route.

CAMPING: There is no camping inside of Capitol Reef National Park, except at the Cathedral Valley Campground. This small, primitive campground is first come/first serve and does not have water or trash pickup. It does have fire pits, tables, and pit toilets.

You can camp on the BLM and National Forest land that surrounds the National Park. Keep an eye on the map to be certain you are outside of National Park boundaries if camping on BLM or National Forest land. There are many EXCELLENT primitive camping opportunities on the non-National Park sections of the drive.