# Capitol Reef Country | Wayne County, Utah > Capitol Reef Country is the official visitor guide to Wayne County, Utah - home to Capitol Reef National Park, the 100-mile Waterpocket Fold, and the Highway 12 scenic byway, all with far fewer crowds than Zion or Arches. The site covers hiking trails ranging from easy walks to strenuous backcountry treks, dark-sky stargazing, OHV routes and scenic drives, lodging from national park campgrounds to luxury glamping, dining, and seasonal travel advice for the gateway towns of Torrey and Hanksville. ## Plan Your Visit - [Travel Info & Trip Planning](https://capitolreefcountry.com/travel-info/): Essential planning resources - weather, road conditions, and orientation for first-time visitors. - [Free Travel Guide](https://capitolreefcountry.com/travel-guide/): Request a free printed visitor guide or download the digital version for offline trip planning. - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://capitolreefcountry.com/faq/): Answers to the most common visitor questions - fees, permits, best seasons, pet policies, and more. - [Maps](https://capitolreefcountry.com/travel-info/maps/): Printable and digital maps covering Capitol Reef National Park, regional trails, and scenic byways. - [Weather](https://capitolreefcountry.com/travel-info/weather/): Seasonal weather conditions and temperature ranges to guide your visit planning. ## Capitol Reef National Park - [Capitol Reef National Park Guide](https://capitolreefcountry.com/capitol-reef-national-park/): Comprehensive guide to Utah's most underrated national park - entry fees, visitor center, Scenic Drive, orchards, petroglyphs, and highlights. - [The Waterpocket Fold](https://capitolreefcountry.com/attractions/waterpocket-fold/): A 100-mile geologic monocline and one of North America's great geological features, defining the landscape of Capitol Reef NP. - [Fruita Historic District](https://capitolreefcountry.com/attractions/fruita/): Pioneer orchards established in the 1880s, still producing fruit visitors can pick in summer; the cultural heart of the park. ## Attractions & Scenic Drives - [All Attractions](https://capitolreefcountry.com/attractions/): Beyond the national park - Cathedral Valley, Henry Mountains, Robbers Roost, Bentonite Hills, and more. - [Cathedral Valley](https://capitolreefcountry.com/attractions/cathedral-valley/): Remote northern district of Capitol Reef featuring freestanding sandstone monoliths rising from the desert floor like Gothic cathedrals. - [Henry Mountains](https://capitolreefcountry.com/attractions/henry-mountains/): The last mountain range mapped in the contiguous U.S., rising to 11,000 feet and home to a genetically pure wild bison herd. - [Horseshoe Canyon](https://capitolreefcountry.com/attractions/horseshoe-canyon/): Detached unit of Canyonlands NP containing some of the best-preserved prehistoric rock art in North America, including the Great Gallery. - [Scenic Drives Overview](https://capitolreefcountry.com/scenic-drives/): Summary of the region's iconic scenic byways and road trip routes. - [Highway 12 Scenic Byway](https://capitolreefcountry.com/scenic-drives/highway-12/): An All-American Road connecting Capitol Reef Country to Bryce Canyon through Grand Staircase-Escalante - one of America's most spectacular drives. - [Highway 24](https://capitolreefcountry.com/scenic-drives/highway-24/): The lifeblood of Capitol Reef Country; 75 miles cutting through the heart of the Waterpocket Fold. ## Things To Do - [All Activities](https://capitolreefcountry.com/outdoor-activities/): Hiking, biking, canyoneering, OHV, horseback riding, fly fishing, stargazing, and winter recreation. - [Trails](https://capitolreefcountry.com/outdoor-activities/trails/): Interactive trail guide covering easy, moderate, and strenuous routes throughout the region. - [Stargazing](https://capitolreefcountry.com/outdoor-activities/stargazing/): Wayne County has some of the darkest skies in the nation - a certified dark-sky destination ideal for astrophotography and astronomy. - [Camping](https://capitolreefcountry.com/outdoor-activities/camping/): From the historic Fruita Campground inside the national park to dispersed BLM camping and alpine sites on Boulder Mountain. - [OHV / ATV](https://capitolreefcountry.com/outdoor-activities/atv-utv/): Extensive OHV network including the Swing Arm City free-ride area and Parker Mountain trail system. ## Gateway Towns - [Cities & Towns](https://capitolreefcountry.com/cities-towns/): Overview of the communities throughout Wayne County. - [Torrey, Utah](https://capitolreefcountry.com/cities-towns/torrey/): Primary gateway town 8 miles west of Capitol Reef NP - the main basecamp for lodging, dining, and outfitters. - [Hanksville, Utah](https://capitolreefcountry.com/cities-towns/hanksville/): Eastern gateway; access point for Henry Mountains, Goblin Valley, and Highway 95 south. ## Lodging - [All Lodging](https://capitolreefcountry.com/lodging/): Hotels, motels, B&Bs, cabins, glamping, RV parks, and NPS campgrounds throughout Wayne County. ## Dining - [All Dining](https://capitolreefcountry.com/dining/): Restaurants, cafes, steakhouses, and eateries across Torrey, Bicknell, Hanksville, and surrounding communities. ## Guides & Outfitters - [Guides & Outfitters](https://capitolreefcountry.com/guides-outfitters/): Authorized guide companies for hiking, canyoneering, jeeping, fly fishing, photography tours, and stargazing. ## Featured Articles - [How to Visit Capitol Reef National Park in a Day](https://capitolreefcountry.com/how-to-visit-capitol-reef-national-park-in-a-day/): Practical itinerary for visitors passing through on a Mighty Five road trip with limited time at each park. - [3-Day Summer Getaway Through Capitol Reef Country](https://capitolreefcountry.com/embarking-on-a-3-day-summer-getaway-through-capitol-reef-country/): Family-friendly itinerary covering Capitol Reef NP, Goblin Valley State Park, and Boulder Mountain. - [Winter in Capitol Reef Country: Quiet Roads and Open Space](https://capitolreefcountry.com/winter-in-capitol-reef-country-quiet-roads-and-open-space-2/): Why winter is one of the best times to visit - no crowds, off-season rates, and extraordinary silence on the red rock. - [Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon: The Highway 12 Route](https://capitolreefcountry.com/exploring-the-heart-of-southern-utah-the-stunning-route-from-capitol-reef-to-bryce-canyon/): Guide to driving one of America's great scenic roads through the heart of southern Utah. - [Camping in Capitol Reef Country](https://capitolreefcountry.com/camping-in-capitol-reef-country/): Overview of all camping options from developed NPS sites to primitive backcountry camping. - [The Waterpocket Fold: A Capitol Reef Gem](https://capitolreefcountry.com/the-waterpocket-fold-a-capitol-reef-gem/): Deep dive into the geological feature that defines Capitol Reef - canyons, natural bridges, and rock formations across 100 miles.