Capitol Reef National Park — Live Alerts, Weather & Trip Planning

Smoke from the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver is impacting the park's air quality. Air quality is forecast to be in the unhealthy to very unhealthy range for many areas in the park over the next 24 hours. Visitors should consider limiting exertion outdoors. Check Utah Fire Info for wildfire information and the following link for forecasts.

UDOT will be doing survey work for an upcoming highway bridge project. There will be lane closures and flaggers to facilitate the work near the Hickman Bridge trailhead and just east of the visitor center. Visitors should expect delays as they travel east/west along the highway through the park over the next two weeks.

The following are closed to entry through 8/31/2026 to protect sensitive resources: the heads of Fivemile Wash & Burro Wash descending east 2 miles; Shinob Canyon + all routes descending into Shinob (including Na-gah, Nighthawk, & Timpie); and Arch Nemesis Canyon, including the route exiting at Capitol Gorge + all direct tributary canyons.

For this special event in honor of National Public Lands Day, the Scenic Drive will be closed to motor vehicles for part of the day on Saturday, September 19 and Saturday, September 26, 2026. The road will be closed to vehicles from sunrise to 3 pm to allow for bicycles and pedestrians to enjoy the road at a more leisurely pace. The main road through the park (UT highway 24) - will remain open and unaffected by this closure.

Special Use Permits are typically needed for activities that benefit a specific group. Examples include: Groups of 40 or more, trips organized by scouting groups, churches, or academic institutions, photography, weddings, and first amendment activities