Park Passes and Fees

Question

What is the most important thing in Capitol Park in Utah

Answer 1

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.

2 days ago

Answer 2

The trails would likely not be closed, however the roads getting you there could be, depending on snowfall. The road that most often closes during the winter months is the one connecting Sequoia and Kings Canyon. Bring heavy winter clothing and the right footwear. If you only have a couple days, you may have better luck seeing Mt. Whitney from the Eastern side, in the Inyo National Forest.

In both the National Parks, and in the National Forest, you need permits for overnight and day hikes. I really enjoyed my time there this summer, and I hope you do too!

2 days ago

Answer 3

We are assuming that by West Rim, you mean the Havasupai Reservation? The only way between the two points are to drive. There are tour buses that go between, but no helicopters or other flight options. For more info on directions between the two click here.

2 weeks ago

Answer 4

May in the west can be unpredictable. For instance, in Yellowstone, Teton & Glacier there will still be several feet of snow in many areas. It can snow & be below freezing for most of May in the Wyoming-Montana region. So, if you were to start in the Southwest & work your way north, you should have a lovely trip!

5 weeks ago

Answer 5

It's always a great time to go tour the national parks on motorcycle, the important questions to address are which parks and what is your starting point. On my first trip from New York City to Yosemite and back, I left in June and was greeted by rainstorms and a wide swing of temperature extremes. On the day I planned to ride into Yellowstone, I had to stop because there was snow on the pass and the road was closed. I searched almost a dozen stores before finding one that could sell me an extra layer to wear under my protective shell, as they all said it was summer and they no longer sold fleece or other jackets. (I ended up with a compressible, lightweight down jacket, which I had multiple occasions to break out.) As you well know, it gets cold awfully quickly when you consider the wind chill factor, one of the realities of cold weather riding. If you start in a warm climate and take a southern route, you should be just fine. No matter when you ride, be aware of the need to carry extra layers, as it's always best to be prepared. I've made snowballs in the afternoon on the top of a mountain pass after having ridden through the hot desert all morning long, in July! I recommend a good pair of water-proof gloves (or covers) for any extended trip, along with weather-proof, padded riding gear. If you let everyone in the OhRanger.com community know what parks you're considering and where you'll be starting, perhaps we can make some specific recommendations for places to see. For example, if you were consider to focus on Utah, you could create a great tour by riding the "Grand Circle." The desert parks of Southern California and Nevada are also fantastic in May.

I look forward to hearing about your adventures and hope that OhRanger.com will help you with your plans. Check out our new feature that allows you to find the activities you like near to any place you choose in America. Safe travels!

3 weeks ago

Answer 6

A great review of the rafting sections of the Nantahala River Gorge in Nantahala National Forest is available here.If you're interested in specific guides or outfitters, check out this AAA review. You can also download rafting and outdoor adventure guides on the official National Forest website.

4 weeks ago

Answer 7

You're best best is to call the Backcountry Office at Yellowstone : 307-344-2160. Or, you could write them, if that's easier -

Backcountry Office
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

The park asks that you give at least 48 hours notice before you set out, so you really want to call ahead. We've got some information here about hiking in the park, including back country tips.

The National Park Service has some information on their website too, including back country videos specific to the time of year you'll be hiking - summer or winter.

Yellowstone Backcountry Trip Planner

6 weeks ago

Answer 8

There is a campground at Merced Lake, and it is not a High Sierra campground. You will still need to check in with the Backcountry office to obtain a permit for overnight stay of any kind in Yosemite National Park. You can make reservations May through October, and I would recommend planning ahead if you have a specific location in mind to camp in. For detailed information, click http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. Have a pleasant trip!

6 weeks ago

Answer 9

The average high temperature at Mount Rushmore in October is in the 60's and 70's and lows can drop into the 40's. You can get the most up-to-date weather forecast here.

A list of suggested tours in the park is available here.

For information about tours by local organizations, contact local chambers of commerce. You can find links to all of them here.

7 weeks ago

Answer 10

Yes. Admission to the Washington Monument grounds is free, but does require a ticket. The Washington Monument Lodge, located along 15th Street, opens at 8:30 a.m. for distribution of free, same day, timed tickets on a first come first serve basis. One person may pick up as many as six tickets as well as select their preferred ticket time from what remains available for that operating day. All individuals (including children) must have a ticket. During the spring and summer, tickets run out quickly and the line for tickets forms as early as 7 a.m.; please plan accordingly.

If you wish to reserve tickets, you may do so by visiting the National Park Service ticket website at http://www.recreation.gov, or by calling (877) 444-6777 for individual tickets or (877) 559-6777 for group reservations. There is a $1.50 service charge per ticket. These tickets may be picked up at the “will call” window of the Washington Monument Lodge on the day of your tour. Please be aware that during peak season of April-September, tickets frequently are reserved months in advance.

7 weeks ago

Answer 11

Some of our favorite things to do in Acadia are exploring the historic Carriage Roads and enjoying tasty popovers at Jordan Pond House.

Also check out the recommendations on our Sights to See and Things to Do pages. Our Only ad Day and Just for Kids sections will also have some good tips!

Lastly, check out this list of 22 fun things to do with kids!

We hope you have a great trip! Be sure to come back and let us know how it goes!

9 weeks ago