[2025 Garfield County Attraction] Travel Guide for Capitol Reef National Park (Updated Jun)

#transportation Flying into Salt Lake City (SLC) and dreaming of hoodoos, canyons, and arches? You’re in the perfect spot to launch your Mighty 5 Utah national parks road trip! Here’s how to get rolling👇 📍 Why Use Salt Lake City as Your Hub? ✈️ Major airport with rental cars, direct flights, and big-city amenities 🚗 Central access point to ALL five Utah national parks 🛣️ Connects easily to scenic byways, rural towns, and iconic stops 🛻 First Thing: Rent a Car (Essential) ✅ All parks require a vehicle — there’s no public transit between parks ✅ Book early (especially spring/fall) 🚙 AWD or 4WD helpful for side trips, but not required for main park roads 🏞️ Drive Times from Salt Lake City to the Mighty 5 🏔️ Arches NP (Moab) – ~3.5–4 hrs 🧗 Canyonlands NP (Island in the Sky) – ~4 hrs 🌲 Capitol Reef NP – ~3.5 hrs via UT-24 🧡 Bryce Canyon NP – ~4 hrs via US-89 ❤️ Zion NP – ~4.5–5 hrs via I-15 south 🎯 Moab and Bryce/Zion make great multi-night bases for exploring multiple parks. 🗺️ Itinerary Tip: Go in a Loop 🔁 SLC → Moab (Arches + Canyonlands) → Capitol Reef → Bryce → Zion → back to SLC 🛏️ Overnight in gateway towns like Moab, Torrey, Tropic, or Springdale ✅ Avoid doubling back — saves time and maximizes sights! ⛽ Essential Transportation Tips: 📶 Download offline maps — cell signal is spotty 🛢️ Keep your tank full — gas stations are few in between 🌅 Start early for sunrise hikes & parking ease 📆 Some parks now require timed entry reservations 🅿️ Park shuttles: Zion has a mandatory shuttle system (Mar–Nov)

#transportation Planning your Bryce Canyon adventure? Those hoodoos aren’t going to hike themselves! Here’s how to get around Bryce smartly, safely, and stress-free 👇 🚗 Driving to Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon is remote but accessible — most visitors arrive by car. 🗺️ Closest major hubs: 🚙 Las Vegas: 4 hours 🚙 Salt Lake City: 4.5 hours 🚙 Zion National Park: 1.5–2 hours 💡 Tip: Combine Bryce with Zion or Capitol Reef for an unforgettable southern Utah road trip! 🅿️ Parking in the Park ✅ You can drive into Bryce year-round, but parking fills fast in summer 🅿️ Main parking lots: Visitor Center Bryce Amphitheater viewpoints (Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, Bryce Points) Trailheads like Navajo Loop and Queens Garden ⚠️ Summer tip: Arrive before 9 AM or after 5 PM for easiest parking 🚌 Free Park Shuttle (Highly Recommended!) ✅ Runs April through October 🚍 Covers major viewpoints, trailheads, and the Bryce Canyon Lodge 🌄 Stops include: Visitor Center Sunrise & Sunset Points Bryce Point Inspiration Point Fairyland Point (optional stop) 🧡 Why use it? Avoid parking hassle Hop on/off all day Eco-friendly and scenic! 💡 Pro Tip: Park at the Shuttle Station in Bryce Canyon City or Visitor Center, then ride in! 🚐 RVs & Campervans ✅ RVs welcome but parking is limited at some trailheads 🅿️ Best to park at Visitor Center or North Campground Overflow Lot and ride the shuttle ⛺ Bryce Canyon has campgrounds for vans/RVs — book early in peak season! 🚲 Biking Bryce? Totally Possible! 🚴 The Shared Use Path connects Bryce Canyon City to the park 🚲 Ride to the Visitor Center or shuttle stops 🌄 Not allowed on hiking trails or unpaved roads 🧭 Quick Bryce Transport Tips: ✅ Download the Bryce Canyon shuttle map before arriving ✅ If visiting Zion first, consider coming in via Scenic Byway 12 — it’s a destination itself! ✅ Use shuttle for a less stressful, more scenic experience ✅ Plan time for sunset views — they hit different over the hoodoos

Capitol Reef National Park was a hidden gem in Utah. It was a place that caught my eye with its unique red rock cliffs and strange rock formations, and the scenery I saw from the trekking course was truly spectacular. The peaceful and secluded atmosphere allowed me to experience true healing in nature, and the starry night sky was an unforgettable memory. It was the perfect travel destination where I could enjoy adventure and calm nature. #USATravel