Rock Climb Capitol Reef National Park

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The rock at Capitol Reef is comprised predominately of sandstone and varies in hardness from the soft crumbly Entrada to the relatively hard Wingate. The Wingate cliff walls are the most popular for climbing, as natural fracturing has created many climbable crack systems. There are two published guides covering rock climbing at Capitol Reef: Desert Rock by Eric Bjornstad and Rock Climbing Utah by Stewart M. Green. More information is available at the visitor center. If you climb a new route and wish to leave a route description contact a ranger at the visitor center. Permits are not required for climbing. However, if you plan to camp overnight on a climb, you are required to obtain a free backcountry use permit, available at the visitor center. Due to the abundance of prehistoric rock writings, the section of the rock wall north of Utah Hwy 24 between the Fruita Schoolhouse (Mile 80.6 or km 129.7) and the east end of the Kreuger Orchard (Mile 81.4 or 131.0 km) is closed to climbing. In other areas, climbing is not permitted above or within 100 feet (30.5 m) of rock art panels or prehistoric structures. 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.

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