What You Need to Know about Driving the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive

Scenic Drive is a very pleasant journey located in the heart of the Capitol Reef National Park, in Wayne County, in the US state of Utah.

Capitol Reef's Scenic Drive

Is the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive paved?

Tucked away on the south-central part of Utah, the short but highly recommended drive is totally paved and accessible to all passenger vehicles and RV's up to 27 feet in length.

How long is the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive?

Starting at UT-24, near the Visitor Center, the road is 12.71km (7.9 miles) one way. It is not a loop, so you must return on the same road. The drive begins near the Visitor Center, where you can pick up a guide to sights along the route. It provides access to Grand Wash, Capitol Gorge, Pleasant Creek, and the South Draw Road. It is the best option to see some of Capitol Reef National Park's highlights.

Is the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive open?

The road tops out at 1.822m (5,977ft) above the sea level. It can be closed due to snow, ice, mud, and flash floods.

How long does it take to drive the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive?

Plan about 30 minutes to complete the remarkable drive without stops, although you may want to block out extra time to stop, take photos and explore the region it passes through. The road includes pull offs for ideal picture taking. It is one of the best ways to experience the beauty of Capitol Reef. An entrance fee per vehicle is charged for the Scenic Drive. It winds through the heart of the park, allowing visitors to see many of the park's famous formation, with gorgeous views of sheer cliffs and geologic interest in every direction. From the road you can see sheer sandstone cliffs, uniform layers of shale and rocks. It’s one of the best drives of Capitol Reef National Park.

 

 

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.