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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, [[
| 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,
| visitation_year =
| visitation_ref = <ref name="visits">{{NPS Visitation |accessdate=
| 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|
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
Capitol Reef encompasses the [[Waterpocket Fold]], a warp in the [[Earth
The area was named for a line of white [[
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
==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 [[
[[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"/>
[[
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
▲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
[[File:CapReefMerged.jpg|thumb
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
{{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
== 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
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 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
Another risk to be aware of
▲[[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
==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
{{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}}
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