Astronomy/Stargazing
Utah has fantastic night sky viewing year round. The night skies are very uncluttered with light pollution, allowing for some stargazing unlike many other regions in the country. In February you better put on some warm clothes if you want to stay outside for long durations during the night. Natural Bridges is on a high desert plateau, meaning that winters are cold, and there can be up to a 40 degree difference in temperature between day and night.
If you want to know what you are in for, the weather widget displays current temperatures and conditions on the Oh Ranger Natural Bridges page. Natural Bridges is also the world's first International Dark Sky Park. To learn more, click here to view the NPS page on Dark Sky Parks.
Capitol Reef, Waterpocket Fold, Land of the Sleeping Rainbow—all are colorful names to describe a park with many striking characteristics.
Waterpocket Fold, the main feature of the park, is the name of a 100-mile-long fold in the earth's surface. This uplift contains innumerable eroded basins or pockets that hold thousands of gallons of rainwater. These pockets of water have affected the history of humanity within the park and the flora and fauna of the region.
Entering the park from the west gives the most impressive view of the 1,000-foot-high stone barrier into which erosive forces have sculpted fascinating canyons, mesas, buttes and mazes. Once in the park, other astonishing panoramas await you.
Within a short distance of the visitor center, you will see Capitol Dome, Chimney Rock, the Goosenecks and the Egyptian Temple. Hickman Bridge, the Golden Throne and Capitol Gorge reward you after easy to moderate hikes. Prehistoric petroglyphs, the Fruita Schoolhouse, the Gifford Farmhouse and the Behunin Cabin speak of bygone eras and can be reached by car. The 20-mile round-trip Scenic Drive will take you past the Ripple Rock Nature Center and many of the park's features.
If you are seeking a remote wilderness experience, Capitol Reef has it. To the north of Route 24, dirt roads, which generally require high-clearance or 4-wheel-drive vehicles, lead into the park's north end through the heart of Cathedral Valley, an area of monolithic formations of Entrada and Curtis sandstones, some of which are 500 feet high. South of Route 24, graded roads, usually suitable for high-clearance vehicles, lead into some very fine hiking country. Besides good hiking opportunities, the southern part of the park also offers spectacular views of the folded strata of Capitol Reef and the Henry Mountains. Muley Twist Canyon is in the southern end of the park, as is Brimhall Bridge. Check with a park ranger before setting out for any of these more remote locations. Weather conditions may make the roads slick and impassable.
You're getting in just under the wire to have your own campfire in the park (at designated locations) as the last day permitted is October 15th. In terms of hosted NPS campfires and Ranger campfire talks, you'll have to check with the park itself for an updated schedule. The best number to call is: (209) 372-0200; press 3 then 5.
Have a great trip!
