Capitol Reef is one of our favorite places. In fact, we’re hesitant to share it with the world. We feel like it’s a bit of a secret… and we like it that way. Our favorite time to visit is in the fall when the orchards are full of ripe fruit. We love camping in Fruita Campground, picking apples, and exploring the park. It’s a special place and we’ve visited many times over the years.
This 3-Day itinerary is a great vacation plan for families with young children. In addition to Capitol Reef, you’ll head over to Goblin Valley, which is a great place to let your imagination go wild. We took eight families from our neighborhood on this trip. Our little ones loved climbing in all the holes, caves, and cracks in the rocks at Capitol Reef. We let them stand up in the car with their heads popping out of the sunroof to bask in the glory of Capitol Gorge Road. They played hide and seek among the trolls and monsters of Goblin Valley and ran up and down the elephant skin mountains near Caineville. This is a magical place!
Capitol Reef & Goblin Valley 3-Day Itinerary
Find your way to Torrey, Utah. It’s a little town 206 miles south of Salt Lake City. We suggest rolling into town in the evening and grabbing some pizza at Red Cliff or burgers at Slackers. There are lots of lodging options in Torrey. For campers, we love Capitol Reef’s Fruita Campground.
Day 1: Capitol Reef
Capitol Gorge
Start your morning with an incredible drive down the Capitol Gorge Road to the Capitol Gorge trailhead. This drive is like a slot canyon for your car. We hope you have a sunroof. If not, stick your head out the window as far as you dare. It’s AMAZING!
At the end of the scenic drive, you’ll find yourself at the Capitol Gorge trailhead. Jump out and start walking. There are holes in the rocks everywhere. Little and big climbers rejoice!
You’ll see petroglyphs 0.2 miles in, followed by the pioneer registry at 0.6 miles. Early pioneers in the area carved or shot their names into the sandstone. The trail has eroded over time, so the names are high up on the walls. It’s pretty cool to think of early settlers and rotten outlaws coming through this trail hundreds of years ago. Go a little further and you’ll find some small pools of water known as the Tanks. Then, make your way back to the parking lot where there are covered picnic tables. Pull your cooler out of your car and bust out the sandwiches for lunch!
Hickman Bridge
After lunch, make your way back through the gorge and head to Hickman Bridge. This is an easy 2-mile hike to a large beautiful arch. You’ll find some shade below the arch and the kids will enjoy bouldering around the area. This is climbing kid paradise.
Head back to Torrey or your campsite for the evening.
Day 2: More Capitol Reef
Start your day with a 3.4 moderately difficult hike to Cassidy Arch. If you go in summer, start by 8AM and take lots of water. It’s uphill much of the way to the arch. Make sure you watch for cairn markers to find your way. The trail is hard to spot once you’re on the slickrock.
Cassidy Arch
Cassidy Arch is one of the few arches you can walk on. Mom almost had a heart attack watching the kids walk across it. The arch is very thick and the kids felt completely safe, but moms have a hard time with danger sometimes. Is your mom like that? Even so, this is an amazing hike through the Grand Wash and ending with an incredible arch. We found this post from Earth Trekkers helpful: Cassidy Arch
After your hike, stop by the Gifford House to buy some pie and eat your lunch at nearby picnic tables. When you’re rested and ready to go again, head out for Sulphur Creek.
Sulphur Creek
If you have two vehicles, shuttle one car to the visitor center and take your group in the second car to the Sulphur Creek trailhead 3.3 miles west of the visitor center. If you don’t have two vehicles, you can adapt your adventure accordingly. Make sure everyone has good shoes that can be immersed in water as they hike.
Sulphur Creek is an incredible hike with waterfalls, a 600-feet deep gorge, cool rocks, and lots of opportunities for wading and swimming. It’s a child-friendly hike that’s fun for everyone. The route is six miles long from the Chimney Rock area to the visitor center. This is a fun afternoon hike when the the weather is warm/hot.
Work your way down the streambed until you run into Sulphur Creek. Splash your way downstream all the way to the Visitor Center. If you don’t have a car at the Visitor Center, go as far as you want, then walk back. Water levels vary greatly based on the time of year and rain. Check with the park rangers before you go, especially if you have little kids. MORE INFO
Day 3: Goblins and Slots
Pack up and drive an hour to Goblin Valley State Park. Make sure you look around at the other-worldy landscape as you drive through. It really does look like you’re on another planet. The area around Caineville looks like the hills are covered in elephant skin!
Goblin Valley
There’s a $15 entrance fee at Goblin Valley. Spend a few hours playing hide-and-seek and exploring the valley. Take time to soak in the magic. Try naming as many hoodoos as you can. When you’re done exploring, find the pavilion with picnic tables and eat lunch.
Little Wild Horse Canyon
Next, head over to Little Wild Horse Canyon, six miles down the road. This is a family favorite. It’s a kid-friendly slot canyon that will add to the delightful experience you just had in Goblin Valley.
The slots are narrow, twisty and very colorful. There’s a little bit of bouldering in one section. Make sure to check the weather. Stay out of the slot canyon if there’s any chance of rain. We hope you’re there on a sunny day to enjoy this incredible canyon. It’s a perfect grand finale!
Explore more of our itineraries for Utah National Parks.