Other Recreation

Mountain Biking

Ditch the car and really get to know this country with a big loop tour. From Highway 24 near Capitol Reef, take the Notom-Bullfrog Road [1] to Burr Trail Road [2], then Highway 12 over Boulder Mountain [3] to Highway 24 and back to Capitol Reef.

This is definitely the sort of trip that requires some touring experience and a decent level of training. (Boulder Mountain is quite a haul.) Expect the 125-mile loop to take several days.

In the remote northern section of the park, cyclists can ride the challenging Cathedral Canyon Loop [4]. The complete loop is more than 60 miles long. Little water is available along the route, so it’s best ridden in spring or fall, when temperatures are low. Contact the visitor center [5] for more information on this and other routes.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is allowed in the park. Climbers should check with rangers to learn about restricted areas, but registration is voluntary. Climbers must use “clean” techniques (no pitons or bolts) and keep at least 100 feet from rock-art panels and prehistoric structures.

Because of the abundance of prehistoric rock art found there, the section of rock wall north of Highway 24 between the Fruita Schoolhouse [6] and the east end of Kreuger Orchard (Mile 81.4) is closed to climbing. Other areas closed to climbing are Hickman Natural Bridge and all other arches and bridges, Temple of the Moon, Temple of the Sun, and Chimney Rock.

The harder, fractured sandstone of the Wingate Formation is better suited to climbing than the more crumbly Entrada sandstone. However, the rock is given to flaking, so climbers should use caution. Be sure that chalk matches the color of the rock; white chalk is prohibited.