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Black-and-white panoramic photograph of a towering striated sandstone monolith rising from a flat desert valley, with a silhouetted rock spire in the right foreground and cirrus clouds in the upper left sky.

Utah · Capitol Reef National Park

Cathedral Valley

The remote north district — a high-desert basin of free-standing sandstone monoliths (the Temples of the Sun and Moon) reached only by a 4WD loop that fords the Fremont River. No pavement, no services, no maintained day-hikes: it's a half- to full-day drive for a high-clearance vehicle, or a guided jeep tour. Check road conditions first — the clay turns impassable when wet.

A black-and-white panoramic view of Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef National Park, featuring the massive sandstone mono… · near Capitol Reef National Park

Overview

Cathedral Valley — Capitol Reef

The remote north district — a high-desert basin of free-standing sandstone monoliths (the Temples of the Sun and Moon) reached only by a 4WD loop that fords the Fremont River. No pavement, no services, no maintained day-hikes: it's a half- to full-day drive for a high-clearance vehicle, or a guided jeep tour. Check road conditions first — the clay turns impassable when wet.

Sightseeing

Viewpoints in Capitol Reef

  • Temple of the Sun and Moon

    Overlook

    Temple of the Sun and Moon

    Roadside

    Two free-standing sandstone monoliths rising from the floor of Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef's remote northern district. Reaching them means the Cathedral Valley Loop — a roughly 57-mile high-clearance dirt road that fords the Fremont River and turns impassable when wet, so check conditions and carry a spare. The monoliths take warm light at sunrise and sunset, which is why photographers make the long drive.

    Best at sunrise

    Explore Temple of the Sun and Moon
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Camping

Camping in Capitol Reef

  • Primitive campsites at Cathedral Campground

    In-park · Backcountry

    Primitive campsites at Cathedral Campground

    First-come, first-served 6 sites

    Six remote sites at 7,000 feet in Cathedral Valley, 36 miles out — free and first-come, but plan on high-clearance 4WD and bring all your water.

    • Vault Toilets
    Campground Details

Campground listings sourced from the Recreation Information Database (RIDB). Recreation.gov is the only authorized booking site — confirm fees, dates, and site counts there before reserving.

See all campgrounds

Experiences

Things to do near Capitol Reef

  • Capitol Reef National Park: Cathedral Valley off-road Jeep tour

    adventure-tours

    Capitol Reef National Park: Cathedral Valley off-road Jeep tour

    Torrey

    Duration 7 hr Price From $250 Rating 4.95★ (58)

    Cathedral Valley — the monoliths at the park's remote north end — needs a high-clearance vehicle and a river ford most rental cars can't make. This guided jeep tour reaches the Temples of the Sun and Moon without your own 4WD or the risk of getting stuck on the loop. Best for travelers who want Capitol Reef's most dramatic backcountry without renting an off-road vehicle.

    • Free cancellation
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Save on Entry

One pass covers Capitol Reef — and every other US national park.

The America the Beautiful annual pass pays for itself in two or three park visits. Free entry, free passenger fees, and no more fumbling for a credit card at the kiosk.

America the Beautiful National Park Pass — the 2026 annual pass card Buy your pass → Learn more about the pass

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