NOTOM-BULLFROG ROAD: Few drives in Utah reward the adventurous like the Notom-Bullfrog Road — a scenic backcountry route that traces the eastern flank of the Waterpocket Fold all the way south to Bullfrog Marina on Lake Powell. The road passes through layered canyon country that most visitors to Capitol Reef never see, making it a favorite among photographers, overlanders, and anyone willing to trade pavement for something unforgettable.

STRIKE VALLEY & THE WATERPOCKET FOLD:  Notom sits at one of the most dramatic entryways into Capitol Reef's backcountry. From here, hikers and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts can access Strike Valley and the sweeping slickrock terrain of the southern Waterpocket Fold — a 100-mile wrinkle in the Earth's crust that puts geology front and center in a way few places on the planet can match.

OFF THE GRID, UNDER THE STARS:  Notom is about as far from the noise of everyday life as you can get. With minimal light pollution and wide-open desert skies, the stargazing here is extraordinary. Nearby dispersed camping areas make it possible to spend the night right in the middle of it all — just you, the canyon walls, and a sky full of stars.