What's on in Capitol Reef National Park, United States through the year

Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Rule

  Cathedral Valley river ford

  1 Jan – 31 DecClosures

  The Cathedral Valley loop starts by driving through the Fremont River, and the depth changes with runoff and storms. Ring the visitor centre for the current reading before committing — recovery from out there is expensive. Source ↗

Still on: Dark sky season (15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually))

Quiet — one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Dark sky season (15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — Spring break in United States

• Nature

  Fruita orchard blossom

  5 Mar – 5 May · usuallyWildflowers & blooms

  Two thousand heritage fruit trees flower in sequence against red cliffs — apricots first in early March, apples last in early May. A hard late frost can take the whole thing out, and the park posts what is open on its fruit hotline. Source ↗

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Dark sky season (15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Fruita orchard blossom (5 Mar – 5 May (usually)), Dark sky season (15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Fruita orchard blossom (5 Mar – 5 May (usually))

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  U-pick orchard harvest

  20 Jun – 15 Oct · usually

  Apricots from late June, peaches and pears through August, apples until mid-October — you pick your own and pay at an honesty box. Which orchards are open moves week to week, so check the signs rather than a plan. Source ↗

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec)

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Hazard

  Monsoon flash floods

  1 Jul – 20 Sep · usuallyFlood seasonClosures

  The slot canyons off the Scenic Drive fill from storms that break out of sight, and the dirt roads in the Waterpocket district turn to grease. The park closes the washes on a flood watch, not after the water arrives. Source ↗

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec), U-pick orchard harvest (20 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Summer break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec), U-pick orchard harvest (20 Jun – 15 Oct (usually)), Monsoon flash floods (1 Jul – 20 Sep (usually))

Busy — Summer break in United States

• Nature

  Dark sky season

  15 Sep – 15 Apr · usuallyDark-sky season

  A certified dark sky park with the nearest town of any size two hours away, and the long clear nights of the cold half-year are when it counts. The Fruita campground and the Panorama Point pull-off need no walk in the dark. Source ↗

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec), U-pick orchard harvest (20 Jun – 15 Oct (usually)), Monsoon flash floods (1 Jul – 20 Sep (usually))

Busy — one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec), U-pick orchard harvest (20 Jun – 15 Oct (usually)), Dark sky season (15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — Thanksgiving break in United States

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Dark sky season (15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually))

Busy — Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Cathedral Valley river ford (1 Jan – 31 Dec), Dark sky season (15 Sep – 15 Apr (usually))