Capitol Reef National Park: Beauty, Adventure, and Pie!

IN the Parks·Allison Martin·Aug 19, 2026·20 min

Show Notes

Join me and my family on a trip to Capitol Reef National Park near Torrey, Utah. We stayed in Conestoga wagons at Broken Spur Inn before spending the day in the park. The park's geology is very interesting and to truly understand it, be sure you stop at the visitor center.

Our "must do" trails include Goosenecks Overlook, Sunset Point, and Hickman Bridge. Plus, be sure to stop and see the petroglyphs. The trails we wish we had done include Cohab Canyon and Cassidy Arch trails. We also drove along the Scenic Drive and Grand Wash and got great pictures of Chimney Rock and Capitol Dome.

Capitol Reef is also known for the Fruita settlement's orchards in the park. Be sure you stop at Gifford House to buy some pie! And learn more about the orchards from the National Park Service.

You are going to learn about:

  • Why You Should Stay in Conestoga Wagons
  • The Geology of Capitol Reef
  • The Best Trails to Hike
  • History of the Orchards and Gifford House Pies
  • What Makes Capitol Reef Distinct

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Episode Details
Show
IN the Parks
Category
Travel & Outdoors
Topic
IN the Parks
Duration
00:19:45
Published
Aug 19, 2026
About the Host
Allison Martin
Allison Martin
Host · IN the Parks

Allison Martin tells the stories behind Indiana's state parks: the best trails, the campgrounds, the history and the corners worth the drive.

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Frequently asked

Quick answers.

Its geology and its orchards. The rock formations are the reason to stop at the visitor center before you hike, and the park also holds the Fruita settlement's historic orchards. Gifford House, in the middle of it all, is where you buy the pie.

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