Surrounding a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth’s crust, this 381-sq-mile park is a celebration of geology and the powerful forces of time and weather.

To get a grip on this vast place, start small, kicking off with a visit to the Fruita Historic District and its fruit-rich orchards. About 1,900 fruit trees – bearing apples, apricots, pears and peaches – are a reminder of the hard work of Mormon settlers here beginning in the 1880s. 2,000 year-petroglyphs, or rock carvings, are another human-sized highlight. For the big rocks and a regional geology lesson, hop onto the 7.9-mile Scenic Drive ($20). Sights at its eleven stops include sandstone cliffs, ancient dunes, a shale bed and a monocline. Established as an International Dark Sky Park in 2015, with minimal light pollution at night, the park is a prime spot for stargazing.

Utah's national parks

Road trips through red rock country

Utah's national parks

Road trips through red rock country

By Amy Balfour

Capitol Reef National Park Tours

Utah Horseback Camping

Guided Utah backcountry tour

5 daysFrom $1,800

	Utah
	Private guided tour
	Family, Active, Camping, Horseback Riding, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

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Destinations	Utah
Activity	Family, Active, Camping, Horseback Riding, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks
Tour Type	Private guided tour
Physical Level	Mild

Each camping ride is unique and we seldom cover the same backcountry trail or use the same camp site more than once or twice a season. These are base-camp rides supplied by 4X4 vehicles. The backcountry featured on our Utah horseback camping rides access areas too remote for inn lodging. Camp location is generally situated at a higher elevation in mid-summer and a lower elevation in spring and fall seasons. Areas explored: Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, San Rafael Swell Wilderness, or Utah’s High Plateaus.

	Guided excursions	Guided hikes, horseback rides and jeep trips with an expert local guide. Guides/wranglers, cook, camp jack and interpretive specialist well versed in canyon lands social and natural history. All park permits included.
	Accommodation	On multi-day/overnight tours: either camping or inn accommodation, depending on the itinerary.
	Ground transfers	All transportation during the tour.
	All meals	On overnight tours: all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on the last day.
	Equipment	On horseback tours: seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders. Saddle bags and quality tack.
	Camping equipment	On camping tours: complete outfitting with deluxe base-camp including cooking and dining tents, showers and chairs, canvas sleep tent, cot, foam pad and inflatable Thermarest, freshly laundered sleeping bag, sheet, pillow and blanket and six inch foam sleeping pad or cot.

Utah Guided Hiking

One-day guided hiking tour

1 daysFrom $120

	Utah
	Private guided tour
	Family, Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

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Destinations	Utah
Activity	Family, Active, Hiking & Trekking, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks
Tour Type	Private guided tour
Physical Level	Mild

At our headquarters in Torrey, Utah, Hondoo is surrounded for scores of miles by rugged wilderness which often seems impenetrable. However, for those who know where to go there exist intricate trails established by Indians, explorers, stockmen, outlaws and outfitters.

Some trails have been formally improved by land managers; many have not. For those interested, Hondoo will guide hikes to Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase & Escalante Canyons National Monument, San Rafael Swell Wilderness, or other landforms in the area.

Let us design a trip for you or your group–we especially enjoy being the local expert for non-local tour operators. We have all necessary permits which allow us to guide you on public lands. All day hikes require a two person minimum Lunch is provided on full day tours. The price of day hikes includes transportation, your guide and lunch; trips depart as arranged. When arranging your trip, inquire with Hondoo about specific trails, length and difficulty of the trails for the area you’re interested in exploring. You may choose a special emphasis hike which feature slot canyons, slickrock mountains, natural wonders, or rock art panels.

	Guided excursions	Guided hikes, horseback rides and jeep trips with an expert local guide. Guides/wranglers, cook, camp jack and interpretive specialist well versed in canyon lands social and natural history. All park permits included.
	Accommodation	On multi-day/overnight tours: either camping or inn accommodation, depending on the itinerary.
	Ground transfers	All transportation during the tour.
	All meals	On overnight tours: all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on the last day.
	Equipment	On horseback tours: seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders. Saddle bags and quality tack.
	Camping equipment	On camping tours: complete outfitting with deluxe base-camp including cooking and dining tents, showers and chairs, canvas sleep tent, cot, foam pad and inflatable Thermarest, freshly laundered sleeping bag, sheet, pillow and blanket and six inch foam sleeping pad or cot.

Utah Horseback Inn to Inn

Guided Utah backcountry tour

6 daysFrom $2,700

	Utah
	Private guided tour
	Family, Active, Horseback Riding, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks

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Destinations	Utah
Activity	Family, Active, Horseback Riding, Nature & Wildlife, National Parks
Tour Type	Private guided tour
Physical Level	Mild

On our inn-to-inn trail rides, we select daily destinations from several dozen available. Our lodging location changes mid-week from Torrey, UT to Boulder, UT as our ride meanders down the Waterpocket Fold towards Lake Powell. Our horseback ride destinations move us from the Capitol Reef National Park area into the Grand Staircase/Escalante Canyons National Monument. During warm weather or fall foliage, excursions to the lakes and alpine meadows of Fishlake or Dixie National Forest become part of our itinerary.

Trails on all of our Utah horseback rides are mostly un-groomed and pioneered by wildlife, Indians, outlaws or herdsmen. Areas explored are selected for their scenic quality, pristine natural condition and remote location. As a general rule, the rides explore higher environs (to 11,500 ft.) during mid-summer and lower elevations (to 3,900 ft.) earlier or later in the season. Life zones visited may range from Alpine to upper-Sonoran depending on ride and time of year.

	Guided excursions	Guided hikes, horseback rides and jeep trips with an expert local guide. Guides/wranglers, cook, camp jack and interpretive specialist well versed in canyon lands social and natural history. All park permits included.
	Accommodation	On multi-day/overnight tours: either camping or inn accommodation, depending on the itinerary.
	Ground transfers	All transportation during the tour.
	All meals	On overnight tours: all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on the last day.
	Equipment	On horseback tours: seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders. Saddle bags and quality tack.
	Camping equipment	On camping tours: complete outfitting with deluxe base-camp including cooking and dining tents, showers and chairs, canvas sleep tent, cot, foam pad and inflatable Thermarest, freshly laundered sleeping bag, sheet, pillow and blanket and six inch foam sleeping pad or cot.