Cottonwood Wash

Capitol Reef National Park is filled with excellent hikes, and the hike to the Golden Throne should not be left out of the conversation.  This hike is 2WD accessible, has moderate distance, and decent elevation gain, making it a great hike and exercise for everyone.  The trail begins from the Capitol Gorge Trailhead and Parking Area.  There is not a ton of parking here, so if you go on the week...

Drive along Scenic Drive in Capitol Reef National Park and you'll find this trailhead at the end of the road. After 7 miles of driving, you'll arrive at the Pleasant Creek Road turnout and parking area. From here, the road continues to Capitol Gorge, but is unpaved. We had to park at a small parking lot near Pleasant Creek Road because Capitol Gorge Road was closed to vehicles. This was not...

First let me preface that a high clearance vehicle is needed for this adventure. Provided that, prepare for a journey into some very remote and beautiful desert in the middle of Capitol Reef National Park.In total the scenic loop is 57 miles of washboard riddled roads that lead to the spectacular opportunity to watch the sun rise on the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Moon in Cathedral ...

From Interstate 70, the road can be accessed from the west just a few miles from Highway 6, and from the east just near the town of Richfield. It also meets up at the north end of Highway 12 at the town of Teasdale. There is a major campsite at Capitol Reef National Park, but also many RV sites and small motels along the highway. In total the highway is 160 miles, but the best part is the 50 mi...

Follow the scenic road just past the Fruita Campground to the first dirt road on the left. The dirt road meanders through cool rock formations (great for night photography) and eventually dramatic cliffs that you will be climbing up. The parking area is obvious and there are primitive restrooms. Follow the well-marked trail into the canyon until you reach the Cassidy trailhead on your left. On...

The Grand Wash is a canyon in Capitol Reef National Park featuring several-hundred-foot-tall sandstone walls. The canyon walls are, for the most part, widely spaced, except for a half mile long section of scenic "narrows". Hike to nearby Cassidy Arch if you have extra time. Beware of potentially deadly flash floods, get a flash flood report from a ranger.