Capitol Reef National Park — Interstate Access, 2026 Fees & Truck Notes

01 Park overview

Capitol Reef is the least-visited of Utah's "Mighty 5" parks — a 100-mile monocline (warp in the earth's crust) called the Waterpocket Fold that creates a natural barrier through south-central Utah. Within it lies the Fremont River valley, where 19th-century Mormon pioneers established the orchard town of Fruita; the historic orchards are still maintained by NPS, and visitors can pick fruit in season ($2/pound). The signature Scenic Drive runs 8 miles south from the visitor center past Capitol Dome and into Capitol Gorge. Cathedral Valley (north) and the Waterpocket Fold (south) are the wilder, unpaved districts. From I-70 the closest access is Exit 149 (UT-24 / Hanksville turnoff), then 75 mi west on UT-24 along the Fremont River to the visitor center.

One of Utah's "Mighty 5" parks (with Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands)
Protects the Waterpocket Fold — a 100-mile-long monocline in the earth's crust
Historic Fruita orchards still in production — visitors can pick fruit ($2/lb) in season
~1.4 million visitors per year — least-crowded of Utah's national parks
Designated an International Dark Sky Park (Gold Tier, 2015)

02 Photos

Sandstone formations, Capitol Reef National Park Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA

03 Don't miss

Scenic Drive (8-mile paved)
Capitol Gorge wash hike
Hickman Bridge Trail
Cathedral Valley loop (high-clearance 4WD)
Fruita orchards in fruit-picking season (June–October, varies by crop)

04 Getting there & truck/RV access

Route from interstate

From I-70

Exit 149 (UT-24 / Hanksville)

75 mi west on UT-24 to the visitor center near Fruita

Big rigs & RVs

Truck access

UT-24 along the Fremont River through the park is paved and unrestricted for any vehicle size. The 8-mile Scenic Drive is paved and accommodates RVs but the final two miles narrow into Capitol Gorge.

Parking: Visitor center and Scenic Drive overlook lots are RV-capable. Truck-friendly fuel is at Hanksville (I-70 / UT-24 junction) and Torrey, UT (10 mi west of the park). No commercial fuel inside the park.

Restrictions: Cathedral Valley Loop and Notom-Bullfrog Road (south district) are unpaved high-clearance routes — RVs and trailers prohibited. The Scenic Drive's last two miles into Capitol Gorge restrict vehicles over 27 ft.

05 Seasonality & road closures

Best months: April–May and September–October — comfortable temperatures, low flash-flood risk on side trails.

Closures: No seasonal road closures on UT-24 or the main Scenic Drive. Cathedral Valley loops and slot-canyon routes close after rain. Fruit-picking season runs roughly June (cherries) through October (apples) by crop.

Notes: Summer afternoon thunderstorms cause flash floods in narrow canyons (Capitol Gorge, Grand Wash) — check daily forecasts before any wash hike.

06 Entrance fees (2026)

Pass	Price
Private vehicle (7-day)	$20
Motorcycle (7-day)	$15
Individual / walk-in (7-day, age 16+)	$10
Park-specific annual pass	$35 (Capitol Reef Annual Pass)
America the Beautiful (annual, all NPS sites)	$80 U.S. residents · $250 non-residents

2026 nonresident fee — does not apply here

The $100 NPS nonresident surcharge applies at 11 specifically named parks. Capitol Reef National Park is not on that list, so non-U.S. residents pay the same standard entrance fees as U.S. residents.

Fee-free days available for U.S. residents only beginning January 1, 2026.

Note: Entrance fee is collected only on the Scenic Drive — UT-24 through the park (the main thoroughfare) is free to drive.

Official NPS fee page →

07 Current alerts

No active NWS weather alerts or FEMA disaster declarations in Capitol Reef National Park's state(s) right now.

08 FAQ

How do I get to Capitol Reef from I-70?

75 miles west of I-70 Exit 149 on UT-24 (the Fremont River corridor). The drive takes about 90 minutes through Hanksville and runs along the river to the visitor center near Fruita.

Do I have to pay an entrance fee just to drive through?

No — UT-24 (the main highway through the park) is free. The $20 vehicle fee is only collected on the 8-mile Scenic Drive south of the visitor center.

Does the $100 nonresident fee apply?

No. Capitol Reef is not on the 2026 NPS nonresident-surcharge list. The standard $20 vehicle fee applies to all visitors when on the Scenic Drive.

Can I really pick fruit in the orchards?

Yes — NPS maintains roughly 1,900 historic fruit trees in Fruita. Self-pick is $2/pound (cash or credit at on-site self-pay stations) and runs roughly June (cherries) through October (apples). Specific crops are posted at the visitor center.

From I-70

Truck access

2026 nonresident fee — does not apply here

Capitol Reef National Park on the live map