Deserted Trails, No Lines, and a Sky Big Enough for Everyone
Where the desert feels infinite and the crowds are nowhere to be found
I’ve spent enough time in national parks to know that sometimes, the hardest part of the experience isn’t the hike—it’s finding a parking spot.
It’s standing in a line at a shuttle stop, weaving through crowds at an overlook, or waiting for a moment of quiet that never quite comes. Don’t get me wrong, the parks are popular for a reason. But sometimes, I just want to stand in a place so vast and empty that it feels like I’m the only one who remembered it’s still there.
That’s why I keep going back to Capitol Reef National Park.
Nestled in the heart of Utah’s southern desert, Capitol Reef doesn’t clamor for attention like its famous neighbors. But that’s part of its charm. While Zion and Bryce Canyon are gridlocked with selfie sticks and shuttle buses, Capitol Reef saw 3.5 million fewer visitors last year. Let that sink in.
And yet, Capitol Reef is nearly double the size of every other Utah national park except Canyonlands. That means more space for you and fewe…