Wayne County located in Utah’s red rock country serves as an exceptional central location for visitors to explore the state’s most famous natural wonders. The area surrounding Capitol Reef National Park unites dramatic landscapes with historical significance and quaint communities which provides perfect starting points for daily explorations of surrounding sites. Travelers who love outdoor adventures in scenic landscapes will find that Capitol Reef Country offers an ideal setting for easy access to the region’s iconic attractions. The following list of places to visit with in a short drive demonstrates how Wayne County serves as the perfect starting point for your Utah travel experience.
A Strategic Location in Utah’s Scenic Heartland
The central position of Capitol Reef Country within Utah’s extensive public land area allows visitors to access multiple natural wonders through short driving distances. The towns of Loa, Bicknell, Torrey and Hanksville provide visitors with comfortable lodging options and dining establishments with basic amenities that welcome them back after their daily explorations. The Waterpocket Fold and historic Fruita district with ancient petroglyphs within Capitol Reef National Park provide both a primary destination and a starting point for exploring additional regions. The area provides access to numerous breathtaking landscapes through its well-maintained highway and scenic byway network which takes you to these destinations within a day’s of travel, or less.
The variety of accessible landscapes from Capitol Reef Country lets every visitor build their own customized itinerary. Every type of visitor in Wayne County will find their adventure because the county connects them to exciting hikes, serene waters, and fascinating geological formations. Travelers can enjoy Utah’s famous vistas of red rock, forested plateaus and expansive skies while traveling along Scenic Byways 12, 24, and 95.
Planning Your Trip
Visitors should visit during spring months of April through May or fall months from September to October because these periods offer pleasant weather along with smaller tourist crowds. Summer provides extensive daylight hours for travel, but the hot desert climate demands proper planning of water and sun protection. During winter you will find fewer visitors, but you may find winter driving conditions at Fish Lake and other high-altitude sites because of snow. A typical day trip through this area spans from 1 to 2.5 hours in one direction so visitors can visit one or two attractions based on their speed.
Day Trip Destinations from Capitol Reef Country
1. Bryce Canyon National Park (Approximately 2 Hours South) Bryce Canyon National Park stands out because of its unique hoodoos, tall rock formations, which appeal to visitors with their natural beauty and vibrant colors and symmetrical arrangements. The short drive to Bryce Canyon National Park gives people enough time to explore the Navajo Loop or Queen’s Garden trails and enjoy Sunrise Point and other viewpoints before returning in the evening. Driving along Utah Scenic Byway 12 which many people claim is one of America’s most beautiful routes enhances the beauty of the trip.
2. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (1.5–2 Hours Southwest) This large monument shows a sequence of geological formations within its 1.9 million acres. Tourists can explore two famous slot canyons of Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch as well as the mysterious Devils Garden along the Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Hikers will enjoy the popular Lower Calf Creek Falls trail that ends at the 140 ft. falls to a beautiful pool below. Due to its proximity to Capitol Reef Country visitors can easily visit this area to experience this wild and untamed land.
3. San Rafael Swell (1.5–2 Hours North) The San Rafael Swell contains spectacular canyons, mesas and buttes that resulted from thousands of years of erosion. The activities at this destination include hiking to the Wedge Overlook, navigating the slot canyons of Little Wild Horse, and driving on designated off-road trails. The area most accessible from Wayne County presents a different geological landscape compared to the southern region of red rock desert.
4. Goblin Valley State Park (1 Hour North) Goblin Valley State Park features mushroom-shaped rock formations which create an enchanted area for visitors to explore while its open space allows for easy walking. Families along with photographers will love this striking destination that can be easily reached for a half-day or full-day trip from Capitol Reef Country.
5. Fish Lake (1 Hour Northwest) Fish Lake provides a tranquil alpine environment with aspen forests and rolling hills to provide a break from the dry desert surroundings. The high-elevation lake in the Fishlake National Forest provides a perfect spot for fishing and boating as well as wildlife observation. Fish Lake is also home to the world’s largest living organism, an Aspen tree forest called Pando. A day trip here provides a refreshing change from the arid desert landscapes as visitors can see deer, elk and even bald eagles.
6. Lake Powell (2–2.5 Hours Southeast) Situated in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell stands as a massive man-made lake with exceptional views of blue water against red rock cliffs. Day visitors from Wayne County can enjoy their time by renting a boat or go kayaking through the narrow canyons or simply take in the sights from area viewpoints. Traveling through Hanksville provides a beautiful route to this massive playground.
7. Natural Bridges National Monument (2 Hours Southeast) Natural Bridges National Monument features three of the world’s largest natural stone bridges Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo as an alternative to Utah’s national parks that do not get as crowded. The short loop drive and accessible trails let visitors see these geological wonders created by ancient streams within one day. This is also the site of the world’s first International Dark Sky Park.
Keep Capitol Reef Country Forever Mighty
What is Forever Mighty? It’s practicing responsible travel while visiting Utah and Capitol Reef Country by following the principles of Tread Lightly and Leave No Trace.
Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, be considerate of others, support local business and honor community, history and heritage. Help us keep Utah and Capitol Reef Country’s outdoor recreation areas beautiful, healthy, and accessible.
Plan ahead and prepare, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife, be considerate of others, support local business and honor community, history and heritage. Help us keep Utah and Capitol Reef Country’s outdoor recreation areas beautiful, healthy, and accessible.