Weekend Getaway: Capitol Reef

Of all the National Parks in Utah, Capitol Reef is a hidden gem. In fact, many have never heard of it in the shadow of the attention from Zion and Arches. Capitol Reef is an absolute must see in Utah, and the best news is that it's the closest National Park to Salt Lake making it the perfect weekend getaway. Only 3.5 hours from Salt Lake you'll reach the little town of Torrey at the entrance of Capitol Reef. We spent a weekend at Capitol Reef and had an amazing time.

Where to stay: Torrey is conveniently situated just outside of the park entrance. We stayed at the Capitol Reef Resort which was great. It's very close to the park- maybe only 2-3 minutes drive. The rooms have been updated and the grounds are beautiful. There are even teepes and covered wagons available to stay in. We enjoyed the nightly campfire with s'mores where we met fellow guests visiting from France, Denmark, and Australia.

Where to eat: We picked up a quick breakfast and coffee one morning at Castlerock Coffee. The coffee, food, and service were all great! Our first night we tried out Cafe Diablo in Torrey and the food was so good we decided we wouldn't even try another place and went back again for dinner the next night! The patio seating is relaxing with beautiful views and the food was phenomenal. Cafe Diable is a must try!

What to do: Capitol Reef is very accessible to all hiking levels. We tried two of the easier hikes and enjoyed the beautiful views. There is also a lot of history to take in. We enjoyed the petroglyphs, old school house, original cabin home, and small museum located in the farm store. It was amazing to imagine the pioneers who first settled the area. There are also large orchards located in the park where visitors can pick their own fruit. Finally, you have to view at least one sunset from an overview at the entrance from the park. It was definitely a highlight of our trip!

Capitol Reef makes the perfect getaway from Salt Lake. The stunning topography is a must see. Because it is a lesser known park, you won't encounter the vast number of visitors that you may at other parks. Enjoy Utah's beauty just a few hours from home!