Capitol Reef National Park

I had no idea…

I wish I would have asked people about this park before planning our trip because the online world does not do this park justice! I read a couple recommendations online that this park was great for driving though and there wasn’t too much to do or see. I took that advice because after reading about and visiting Zion National Park the online world was correct. Try to avoid the crowds by getting there early and the Narrows smell like pee for a reason. Anyhow, I took the advice as a drive through on the way to Boulder, Colorado from the Los Angeles area.

Unbeknownst to me, my GPS rerouted me because of flash flood warnings. I’m sure there’s a setting/operator issue that I need to look into after this trip, but I digress. Therefore, I spent a bit more time getting to my hotel and saw the beauty of that part of Utah. I stayed at the Broken Spur Inn and Steakhouse and is that ever a misnomer. There is nothing broken at all about this place. Great steaks, great wine, and a great bed after a long drive. I was especially lucky the night I arrived there because my dinner was highlighted by a tremendous lighting storm. I’m not sure if the lightning enhanced the wine or vice versa but it was a delight for the senses.

The next morning I woke up and drove the couple of miles to the park. There was a moment when I turned a bend and my mouth dropped open. The beauty of the area is so overwhelming I had to pull over to take it all in.

The pictures do not do the road into the park justice. I was floored by how gorgeous the colors are. They are colors you only see in nature and you can’t capture how spectacular they are with a camera. Then, I got to the park and the landscape became even more incredible.

There are so many hikes, trails, and places to visit in the park! I though it was just a drive through and look at the wrinkle in the earth park, but I was so wrong. I’ve since been informed there is even a working apple orchard in the park! I wish I would have known before going! After seeing views like these…

I want to go back and do the park the justice it deserves! My take away from this experience is that the internet world can be right about the Narrows smelling like pee, but it can underestimate the beauty of nature. Either way, you have to get out and experience it for yourself so you can be the judge.