Capitol Reef visitors will find well-kept orchards in the park’s Fruita Rural Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Exploring Capitol Reef National Park means a family vacation filled with fascinating hikes through otherworldly landscapes, scenic drives, picking fruit in historic orchards, and (perhaps the best ...

Here’s what else travelers should know about Capitol Reef, the latest national park in USA TODAY’s yearlong series: Capitol Reef's colorful rock layers pop along Chimney Rock Loop.

It’s nowhere near a capitol, and it certainly doesn’t look like a tropical reef. So why is this Utah national park called Capitol Reef?

It’s nowhere near a capitol, and it certainly doesn’t look like a tropical reef. So why is this Utah national park called Capitol Reef?

It’s nowhere near a capitol, and it certainly doesn’t look like a tropical reef. So why is this Utah national park called Capitol Reef?

What is unique about Capitol Reef National Park? “The (park’s) diverse geology creates multiple life zones which support over 1,200 plant and animal species,” Cotrell said.

Capitol Reef National Park sees less crowds than other major parks in southern Utah but is every bit as magnificent. Here’s what to know before you go.