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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{short description|National park in Utah, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Capitol Reef National Park
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| relief = 1
| map_caption = Location in the United States##Location in Utah
| location = [[Wayne County, Utah|Wayne]], [[Garfield County, Utah|Garfield]], [[Sevier County, Utah|Sevier]], and [[Emery County, Utah|Emery]] counties, [[MoscowUtah]],Russia United States
| nearest_city = [[Torrey, Utah|Torrey]]
| coordinates = {{coords|38|12|N|111|10|W|region:US-UT|display=inline, title}}
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| area_ref = <br /><span style="font-size:87%;">{{convert|670|acre}} private</span><ref name="area">{{NPS area|year=2011|accessdate=2012-03-06}}</ref>
| established = December 18, 1971
| visitation_num = 1,227,627608
| visitation_year = 20182022
| visitation_ref = <ref name="visits">{{NPS Visitation |accessdate=20192023-0307-0625}}</ref>
| governing_body = [[National Park Service]]
| website = {{Official website}}
}}
 
'''Capitol Reef National Park''' is an American [[national park]] in south-central [[Utah]]. The park is approximately {{convert|60|mi|km-1}} long on its north{{endash}}south axis and just {{convert|6|mi|km0}} wide on average. The park was established in 1971<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/utahs-capitol-reef-national-park-is-like-zion-without-the-crowds/2019/10/16/667877a4-e930-11e9-9c6d-436a0df4f31d_story.html|title=Utah's Capitol Reef National Park is like Zion without the crowds|last=Randall|first=Laura|date=October 17, 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> to preserve {{convert|241904|acre|sqmi ha km2|2}} of desert landscape and is open all year, with May through September being the highest visitation months.
 
Partially in [[Wayne County, Utah]], the area was originally named "Wayne Wonderland" in the 1920s by local [[Boosterism|boosters]] Ephraim P. Pectol and Joseph S. Hickman.<ref name=history1>{{cite web |url=http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/from_war_to_war/thefathersofcapitolreefnationalpark.html |title=The Fathers of Capitol Reef National Park |publisher=State of Utah |author=Charles Kelly |date=September 1, 1995 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906162414/http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/from_war_to_war/thefathersofcapitolreefnationalpark.html |archive-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref> Capitol Reef National Park was designated a national monument on August 2, 1937, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to protect the area's colorful canyons, ridges, [[butte]]s, and [[monoliths]]; however, it was not until 1950 that the area officially opened to the public.<ref name=history1/> Road access was improved in 1962 with the construction of [[Utah State Route 24|State Route 24]] through the [[Fremont River (Utah)|Fremont River]] Canyon.<ref name="NPShistoryculture"/>
 
The majority of the nearly {{convert|100|mi|km|abbr=on}} long up-thrust formation called the [[Waterpocket Fold]]{{emdash}}a rocky [[Fold (geology)|spine]] extending from [[Thousand Lake Mountain]] to [[Lake Powell]]{{emdash}}is preserved within the park. Capitol Reef is an especially rugged and spectacular segment of the Waterpocket Fold by the Fremont River.<ref name="NPShistoryculture">{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/care/historyculture/index.htm |title=History & Culture |work=Capitol Reef National Park |publisher=National Pak Service |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> The park was named for its whitish [[Navajo Sandstone]] cliffs with [[Dome (geology)|dome]] formations{{emdash}}similar to the white domes often placed on capitol buildings{{emdash}}that run from the Fremont River to Pleasant Creek on the Waterpocket Fold. Locally, ''reef'' refers to any rocky barrier to land travel, just as ocean reefs are barriers to sea travel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/care/naturescience/geology.htm |title=Capitol Reef National Park – Geology |access-date=January 17, 2009 |year=2007 |work=Capitol Reef National Park web site |publisher=U.S. National Park Service }}</ref>
 
[[File:Cathedral Valley Capitol Reef National Park.jpg|thumb|Cathedral Valley ]]
 
==Geography==
[[File:NPS capitol-reef-national-park-map.jpg|thumb|right|Park map]]
 
Capitol Reef encompasses the [[Waterpocket Fold]], a warp in the [[Earth#Crust|earth's crust]] that is 65&nbsp;million years old. It is the largest exposed [[monocline]] in North America. In this fold, newer and older layers of earth folded over each other in an S-shape. This warp, probably caused by the same colliding [[plate tectonics|continental plates]] that created the [[Rocky Mountains]], has weathered and [[erosion|eroded]] over millennia to expose layers of rock and [[fossil]]s. The park is filled with brilliantly colored [[sandstone]] cliffs, gleaming white domes, and contrasting layers of stone and earth.
 
The area was named for a line of white [[domeDome (geology)|domes]]s and cliffs of Navajo Sandstone, each of which looks somewhat like the [[United States Capitol]] building,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/faqs.htm|title=Frequently Asked Questions - Capitol Reef National Park (U.S. National Park Service)|last1=HC 70|first1=Mailing Address|last2=Torrey|first2=Box 15|website=www.nps.gov|language=en|access-date=2019-11-12|last3=Us|first3=UT 84775 Phone: 435-425-3791 Contact}}</ref> that run from the [[Fremont River (Utah)|Fremont River]] to Pleasant Creek on the Waterpocket Fold.
 
The fold forms a north-to-south barrier that has barely been breached by roads. Early settlers referred to parallel impassable ridges as "reefs", from which the park gets the second half of its name. The first paved road was constructed through the area in 1962. [[Utah State Route 24|State Route 24]] cuts through the park traveling east and west between [[Canyonlands National Park]] and [[Bryce Canyon National Park]], but few other paved roads invade the rugged landscape.
 
The park is filled with canyons, cliffs, towers, domes, and arches. The Fremont River has cut canyons through parts of the Waterpocket Fold, but most of the park is arid desert. A scenic drive shows park visitors some highlights, but it runs only a few miles from the main highway. Hundreds of miles of trails and unpaved roads lead into the equally scenic backcountry.
 
==History==
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In 1872 [[Almon Harris Thompson|Almon H. Thompson]], a geographer attached to [[United States Army]] Major [[John Wesley Powell]]'s expedition, crossed the Waterpocket Fold while exploring the area. Geologist [[Clarence Dutton]] later spent several summers studying the area's geology. None of these expeditions explored the Waterpocket Fold to any great extent.
 
Following the [[American Civil War]], officials of [[Thethe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] in [[Salt Lake City]] sought to establish [[Mission (Christian)|missions]] in the remotest niches of the [[Intermountain West]]. In 1866, a quasi-military expedition of Mormons in pursuit of natives penetrated the high valleys to the west. In the 1870s, settlers moved into these valleys, eventually establishing [[Loa, Utah|Loa]], [[Fremont, Utah|Fremont]], [[Lyman, Utah|Lyman]], [[Bicknell, Utah|Bicknell]], and [[Torrey, Utah|Torrey]].<ref name="NPShistoryculture"/>
 
[[File:Fruita School House, Capital Reef National Park.jpg|thumb|Fruita School House]]
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In 1933, Pectol was elected to the legislature and almost immediately contacted President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] and asked for the creation of "Wayne Wonderland National Monument" out of the federal lands comprising the bulk of the Capitol Reef area. Federal agencies began a feasibility study and boundary assessment. Meanwhile, Pectol guided the government investigators on numerous trips and escorted an increasing number of visitors. The lectures of Broaddus were having an effect.<ref name="NPSpeople"/>
 
[[FileFIle:CapitolGorgeCapitolReefNPCapitol Gorge - 2016-07-01.jpg|thumb|upright|250px|Capitol Gorge]]
Roosevelt signed a proclamation creating Capitol Reef National Monument on August 2, 1937.<ref>{{cite wikisource |title=Proclamation 2246: Capitol Reef National Monument-Utah |wslink=Proclamation 2246 |date=2 August 1937}} [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:United_States_Statutes_at_Large_Volume_50_Part_2.djvu/970 50 Stat. 1856].</ref> In Proclamation 2246, President Roosevelt set aside {{convert|37711|acre|ha}} of the Capitol Reef area. This comprised an area extending about {{convert|2|mi|0|spell=in}} north of present [[Utah State Route 24|State Route 24]] and about {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on}} south, just past Capitol Gorge. The [[Great Depression]] years were lean ones for the National Park Service (NPS), the new administering agency. Funds for the administration of Capitol Reef were nonexistent; it would bewas a long time before the first rangers would arrivearrived.<ref name="NPShistoryculture"/>
 
Roosevelt signed a proclamation creating Capitol Reef National Monument on August 2, 1937.<ref>{{cite wikisource |title=Proclamation 2246: Capitol Reef National Monument-Utah |wslink=Proclamation 2246 |date=2 August 1937}} [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:United_States_Statutes_at_Large_Volume_50_Part_2.djvu/970 50 Stat. 1856].</ref> In Proclamation 2246, President Roosevelt set aside {{convert|37711|acre|ha}} of the Capitol Reef area. This comprised an area extending about {{convert|2|mi|spell=in}} north of present [[Utah State Route 24|State Route 24]] and about {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on}} south, just past Capitol Gorge. The [[Great Depression]] years were lean ones for the National Park Service (NPS), the new administering agency. Funds for the administration of Capitol Reef were nonexistent; it would be a long time before the first rangers would arrive.<ref name="NPShistoryculture"/>
 
===Administration of the monument===
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===National park status===
 
[[File:Navajo Dome in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.2|250px|[[Navajo Dome]] formation]]
[[File:CapReefMerged.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Tower and rock layers at Capitol Reef]]
 
The vast enlargement of the monument and diversification of the scenic resources soon raised another issue: whether Capitol Reef should be a [[U.S. national park|national park]], rather than a [[U.S. National Monument|monument]]. Two bills were introduced into the [[United States Congress]].<ref name="NPShistoryculture"/>
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It was not until late 1971 that Congressional action was completed. By then, the [[92nd United States Congress]] was in session and S. 531 had languished. A new bill, S. 29, was introduced in the Senate by Senator [[Frank E. Moss]] of Utah and was essentially the same as the defunct S. 531 except that it called for an additional {{convert|10834|acre|ha}} of public lands for a Capitol Reef National Park. In the House, Utah Representative [[K. Gunn McKay]] (with Representative Lloyd) had introduced H.R. 9053 to replace the dead H.R. 17152. This time, the House bill dropped the concept of an adjunct Capitol Reef National Recreation Area and adopted the Senate concept of a 25-year limit on continued grazing. The Department of Interior was still recommending a national park of {{convert|254368|acre|ha}} and a 10-year limit for grazing phase-out.<ref name="NPShistoryculture"/>
 
S. 29 passed the Senate in June and was sent to the House. The House, subsequentlywhich dropped its own bill and passed the Senate version with an amendment. Because the Senate was not in agreement with the House amendment, differences were worked out in [[Conference Committee]]. The Conference Committee issued their agreeingits report on November 30, 1971, and the bill passed both houses of Congress. The legislation—'An Act to Establish The Capitol Reef National Park in the State of Utah'—became Public Law 92-207 when it was signed by President [[Richard Nixon]] on December 18, 1971.<ref name="NPShistoryculture"/>
{{clear}}
 
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The drainage system in the area was rearranged and steepened, causing streams to [[downcutting|downcut]] faster and sometimes change course. Wetter times during the [[ice age]]s of the [[Pleistocene]] increased the rate of erosion.
 
== Flora ==
There are more than 840 species of plants that are found in the park and over 40 of those species are classified as rare and endemic.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |first2= |last3= |first3= |last4= |first4= |title=Plants - Capitol Reef National Park (U.S. National Park Service) |url=https://www.nps.gov/care/learn/nature/plants.htm |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=www.nps.gov |language=en}}</ref>
 
==Visiting the park==
The closest town to Capitol Reef is [[Torrey, Utah|Torrey]], about {{convert|11|mi|km|abbr=on}} west of the visitor center on Highway 24, slightly west of its intersection with [[Utah State Route 12|Highway 12]].<ref name=CRmap>[https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/maps.htm "Capitol Reef National Park Maps: Brochure Map"]. ''nps.gov''. National Park Service. February 6, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2018.</ref> Its 2020 population iswas less than 300.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|url-status=live|access-date=September 4, 2021|website=United States Census Bureau|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726235959/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html |archive-date=July 26, 2019 }}</ref> Torrey has a few motels and restaurants and functions as a gateway town to Capitol Reef Nationalthe Parkpark.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Where to stay near Capitol Reef, Utah|url=https://howtobookyourtrip.com/where-to-stay-near-capitol-reef/|url-status=live|access-date=September 4, 2021|website=Howtobookyourtrip|date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303090539/https://howtobookyourtrip.com/where-to-stay-near-capitol-reef/ |archive-date=March 3, 2021 }}</ref> Highway 12, as well asand a partially unpaved scenic backway named the Burr Trail, provide access from the west through the [[Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument]] and the town of [[Boulder, Utah|Boulder]].<ref name=CRmap/>
 
== Activities ==
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A hiking trail guide is available at the visitor center for both day hikes and backcountry hiking. Backcountry access requires a free permit.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/trailguide.htm|title=Trail Guide|publisher=National Park Service|website=nps.gov|language=en|date=February 24, 2015|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/hiking.htm|title=Hiking and Backpacking|publisher=National Park Service|website=nps.gov|language=en|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref>
 
[[File:Hickman Bridge Capitol Reef -National HickmanPark BridgeUSA.jpg|thumb|[[Hickman Natural Bridge]]]]
 
Numerous trails are available for hiking and backpacking in the park, with fifteen in the Fruita District alone.<ref name=":1" /> The following trails are some of the most popular in the park:
* [[Cassidy Arch]] Trail: a very steep, strenuous {{cvt|3.5|mi}} round trip that leads into the Grand Wash to an overlook of the Cassidy Arch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://utah.com/hiking/capitol-reef-national-park/cassidy-arch-trail|title=Cassidy Arch Hiking Trail|website=Utah.com|language=en|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
* [[Hickman Bridge]] Trail: a {{cvt|2|mi}} round trip leading to the [[Natural arch|natural bridge]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://utah.com/hiking/capitol-reef-national-park/hickman-bridge|title=Hickman Bridge Hiking Trail|website=Utah.com|language=en|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref>
* Frying Pan Trail: an {{cvt|8.8|mi}} round trip that passes the Cassidy Arch, Grand Wash, and Cohab Canyon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://utah.com/hiking/capitol-reef-national-park/frying-pan-trail|title=Frying Pan Trail Hiking Trails|website=Utah.com|language=en|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref>
* Brimhall Natural Bridge: a popular, though strenuous, {{cvt|4.5|mi}} round trip with views of Brimhall Canyon, the Waterpocket Fold, and Brimhall Natural Bridge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://utah.com/hiking/capitol-reef-national-park/brimhall-natural-bridge|title=Brimhall Natural Bridge Hiking Trail|website=Utah.com|language=en|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref>
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=== Canyoneering ===
[[File:The First Rappel (140 ft).jpg|thumb|Taken from the top of the first rappel of the Cassidy Arch route.]]
Canyoneering is growing in popularity in the park. It is a recreational sport that takes one through slot canyons. It involves rappelling and may require swimming and other technical rope work.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=HC 70|first1=Mailing Address|last2=Torrey|first2=Box 15|last3=answers|first3=UT 84775 Phone: 435-425-3791 Recorded park information available 24 hours a day Phones are answered when staff is available If no one|last4=Message|first4=Please Leave a|title=Canyoneering - Capitol Reef National Park (U.S. National Park Service)|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/canyoneering.htm|access-date=2022-02-16|website=www.nps.gov|language=en}}</ref> Day-pass permits are required for canyoneering in the park, and can be obtained for free from the visitor's center or through email. It’sIt's key to know that each route requires its own permit. If one is planning on canyoneering for multiple days, passes are required for each day. Overnight camping as part of the canyoneering trip is permitted, but one must request a free backcountry pass from the visitor center.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=HC 70|first1=Mailing Address|last2=Torrey|first2=Box 15|last3=answers|first3=UT 84775 Phone: 435-425-3791 Recorded park information available 24 hours a day Phones are answered when staff is available If no one|last4=Message|first4=Please Leave a|title=Canyoneering - Capitol Reef National Park (U.S. National Park Service)|url=https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/canyoneering.htm|access-date=2022-02-17|website=www.nps.gov|language=en}}</ref>
 
It is imperative to plan canyoneering trips around the weather. The Colorado Plateau is susceptible to flash flooding during prime rainy months.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Warning - Climb Utah|url=https://climb-utah.com/warning.htm|access-date=2022-02-17|website=climb-utah.com}}</ref> Because canyoneering takes place through slot canyons, getting caught in a flash flood could be lethal. Take care to consult reliable weather sources. The [https://www.weather-us.com/en/utah-usa/capitol-reef-national-park-climate Weather Atlas] shows charts with the monthly average rainfall in inches.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Aladin|title=Capitol Reef National Park, UT - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast|url=https://www.weather-us.com/en/utah-usa/capitol-reef-national-park-climate|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Weather Atlas|language=en}}</ref>
 
Another risk to be aware of, especially during the summer months, is extreme[[Excessive heat warningswarning|extreme heat]]. A reliable place for information that peopleVisitors can look forfind weather warnings ison the [[National Weather Service]] website.<ref>[https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/heatrisk/?wfo=slc# National Weather Service] website.</ref> The heat levels are detailed by a color and numerical scale (0-4).<ref>{{Cite web|title=NWS HeatRisk|url=https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/heatrisk/?wfo=slc#|access-date=2022-02-17|website=www.wrh.noaa.gov}}</ref>
 
[[File:The First Rappel (140 ft).jpg|thumb|Taken from the top of the first rappel of the Cassidy Arch route.]]
One of the most popular canyoneering routes in Capitol Reef National Park is Cassidy Arch Canyon. A paper by George Huddart, details the park's commitment to working with citizens to maintain the route as well as the vegetation and rocks.<ref>{{Citation|last=Huddart|first=David|title=Gorge Walking, Canyoneering, or Canyoning|date=2019|url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-97758-4_5|work=Outdoor Recreation|pages=111–130|place=Cham|publisher=Springer International Publishing|language=en|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-97758-4_5|isbn=978-3-319-97757-7|s2cid=210300303|access-date=2022-02-17}}</ref> The canyon route is approximately 2.3 miles long (0.4 miles of technical work), consisting of 8 different rappels, and takes between 2.5 toand 4.5 hours to complete.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BluuGnome.com - Canyoneering - Cassidy Arch Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.|url=http://www.bluugnome.com/cyn_route/cap-reef/cap-reef_cassidy/cap-reef_cassidy.aspx|access-date=2022-02-17|website=www.bluugnome.com}}</ref> The first rappel, asis noted140&nbsp;ft inand descends below the famous Cassidy Arch.<ref> [http://www.bluugnome.com/cyn_route/cap-reef/cap-reef_cassidy/cap-reef_cassidy.aspx Blue Gnome] report, is 140ft, and descends below the famous Cassidy Arch.]</ref>
 
==See also==
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==References==
{{reflist}}
 
{{NPS}}
* {{cite book|last1=Harris|first1=Ann G.|last2=Tuttle|first2=Esther|last3=Tuttle|first3=Sherwood D.|title=Geology of national parks|date=1997|publisher=Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co|location=Dubuque, Iowa|isbn=0-7872-5353-7|edition=Fifth}}
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* {{cite book|author1=United States National Park Service|author-link1=National Park Service|title=Capitol Reef : official map and guide|date=1989|publisher=Capitol Reef National Park, National Park Service, U.S. Dept. of the Interior|location=Washington, D.C.|oclc=649825634}}
* {{cite book|author1=United States National Park Service|author-link1=National Park Service|title=The National parks : index 2001-2003|publisher=Office of Public Affairs and the Division of Publications, National Park Service|location=Washington, D.C.|url=https://archive.org/details/nationalparksind000103|access-date=2 May 2018|oclc=53228516}}
{{reflist}}
 
==External links==
{{commons+cat and category}}
{{wikivoyage}}
* {{Official website}} of the [[National Park Service]]
* [http://www.visitutah.com/parks-monuments/national-parks/capitol-reef/ Capitol Reef National Park |Utah Office of Tourism]
* [http://www.capitolreef.org/ Capitol Reef Country] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907071637/https://capitolreef.org/ |date=September 7, 2022 }} Wayne County Tourism Services
* [http://capitolreefnha.org/ Capitol Reef Natural History Association] Support historical, cultural, scientific, interpretive and educational activities at Capitol Reef National Park.
* {{HAER |survey=UT-77 |id=ut0409 |title=Capital Reef National Park Roads & Bridges, Along State Route 24 between Torrey & Cainesville, Torrey, Wayne County, UT |photos=6 |color=4 |dwgs= |data= |cap=2}}