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John Cletheroe's
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The park runs along the Waterpocket Fold, a ridge which also runs roughly north-south. The name comes from the presence of several waterpockets, depressions in which water can be found for some time after rainfall. The Waterpocket Fold has a large number of various types of rock formations.
Near the park's western entrance, the Panorama Point Overlook provides an excellent 360 degree view over a huge area. The parking area is adjacent to Utah State Highway 24; from there a very short walk up a slight slope leads to the viewpoint.
From the same point on the main road, an unpaved road leads for about a mile to the Goosenecks Overlook. From the parking area at the end of this road there is a walk of a few hundred yards, involving a slight slope, to the overlook, where a magnificent view is to be had. Eight hundred feet below the overlook is the bending course of Sulphur Creek, a tributary of the Fremont River. The river very nearly doubles back on itself, hence the name goosenecks. By the way, this overlook should not be confused with the completely separate Goosenecks State Park near Mexican Hat in southeastern Utah, or with the Gooseneck of the Colorado River visible from Dead Horse Point State Park.
The Visitor Centre lies a few miles further east. From the Visitor Centre the Scenic Drive road runs south for some eight miles. This gives excellent views of many parts of the Waterpocket Fold, including the most impressive Egyptian Temple rock formation. At the end of the Scenic Drive there is a parking area from which a good view of part of Capitol Gorge is to be had. The Scenic Drive is a paved road; unpaved roads only suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles lead from its end.
There is a picnic area in a park-like setting very near the northern end of the Scenic Drive. You can take a very pleasant stroll across a meadow and over a little bridge.
Further east on Utah State Highway 24 lies the Fruita Historic District, where Mormon settlers establish fruit orchards. Fruit is still grown here and can be picked by visitors in season. The tiny historic Fruita Schoolhouse can be seen; it is immediately adjacent to the road. Utah State Highway 24 then continues alongside the Fremont River through the park for some miles to its eastern boundary and continues on to Hanksville.
The Burr Trail Road runs east for some twenty-five or thirty miles from the town of Boulder on Utah State Road 12 to the southern part of Capitol Reef National Park. The section of this road outside the Park is marked as being paved but that inside the Park as being unpaved. We haven't explored this road. An unpaved road also runs through the Park connecting this southern area to Utah State Highway 24.
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Most recently modified 6-Feb-06