4 Day Itinerary for Capitol Reef and Escalante

When my husband and I met 14 years ago, we made the connection that we had both experienced all of Utah’s National Parks except one: Capitol Reef. Little did we know that we’d eventually get married and eventually move to Utah. After living in the state for almost 4 years, we finally decided to take a little baby moon down to Torrey, Utah to see both Capitol Reef and Escalante for the first time.

Get my 4 Day Itinerary for Capitol Reef and Escalante by filling out the form below ↓

(one page, all the info I wish I had, plus links to take you exactly where you need to go!)

Normally, I like to plan ahead and pre-pack groceries for lunches and dinner, but since it was just the two of us, we decided to eat out for most meals.

We visited the first week of November and that year was particularly warm, but I would still say that late October would be prime time to visit: less crowds and less heat sound ideal to me. When exploring the area during a dry time, I could see how flash floods could be a HUGE concern. So PLEASE, be sure to check with a local ranger at the visitor center for safe exploration routes.

Day 1: Travel to Torrey, UT

→ From Salt Lake City to Torrey, Utah it takes around 3.5 hours

→ For a late lunch, we stopped at Canyon Country Pizza Co. in Nephi on our way down.

Another place that looked like a great stop for families was the Bar Dub Grill.

→ If you’re looking for a fun place to have a drink and bar snacks, stop at the Etta Place Cidery in Torrey for a leg stretch before checking in to your hotel.

→ Check in at the Broken Spur Inn

→ Light dinner or snack if needed at the on-site Broken Spur Steakhouse before turning in.

Day 2: Capitol Reef Highlights + Scenic Drive into Escalante

This was our biggest day – it could easily be split up into two days of full adventure, but we wanted to see as much as we could.

→ Complimentary breakfast at the Broken Spur Inn.

→ Morning hike: Hickman Bridge (Natural Bridge) Trail

What I loved most about this hike was that it felt very “Utah National Park” all-in-one: there were desert ponds, walls, and arches! I also loved that the end was a little loop under the arch.

→ Scenic drive into Escalante via Burr Trail

The drive was doable, but the driver (and passenger’s trust!) needs to be confident in long, steep, dirt roads. It was beautiful and one of the most remarkable journeys of the whole trip! Read the page linked above and check out the information here to see if it’s a good fit for you.

→ Eat sack lunch or grab it at Hell’s Backbone Grill or the Chihuahua Garcia Mexican Grill food truck.

→ For a chill afternoon, take a stretch at the Anasazi State Park Museum and archaeological site in Boulder. This is a great interactive place for all members of the family.

→ If you’d like a little more of an adventurous afternoon, drive from Boulder to Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead and enjoy this STUNNING 7.2 mile hike! (It was my favorite adventure of the trip!)

→ Drive back to Torrey via Highway 12

→ Stop for sunset at Homestead Overlook or Larb Hollow Overlook.

→ Enjoy dinner back at the Broken Spur Steakhouse.

Tip for the day: if you don’t want to worry about finding a place to eat lunch later in the day, grab something from Subway before heading out.

Also, if you’re hesitant about road conditions, be sure to check with a ranger at the visitor center to have a conversation about whether or not you’re up for the adventure!

Always carry water and snacks. Get out as early as possible to avoid overheating in harsh weather.

Day 3: More Capitol Reef National Park

→ Another delicious breakfast at the Broken Spur Inn

→ Morning hike to the Tanks (via Capitol Gorge trailhead).

If you don’t want to hike the steepness up to the tanks, you can take the easy walk through the canyon to see the unique geology and pioneer history.

→ Lunch in town at the Rock Reef Cafe or Wild Rabbit

→ Afternoon hike on the Chimney Rock Trail.

Another great loop hike that gives breathtaking views and a variety of terrain that feels very “Utah.” It’s shorter, but definitely has steep sections.

→ If you have one more adventure in you, go out to Panorama Point for sunset.

→ Evening back at the inn for dinner or leftovers. If you feel like going out somewhere new, try the Rimrock Steakhouse, Rock Garden, or Hunt & Gather Restaurant.

Tip for the day: although an easy drive to town, the hikes today can be steep and exposed. Be sure to bring adequate sun protection, food, water, and footwear. If you’re unsure about anything, be sure to visit the visitor center to get personalized recommendations.

Day 4: Drive back to Salt Lake

→ All good things must come to an end, but not before one more complimentary breakfast at the Broken Spur Inn!

Trail notes: There are so many more hikes in Capitol Reef that we simply didn’t have time to do. We were thrilled with what we ended up with and would recommend them again. One I’d like to go back and do was the Grand Wash-Cassidy Arch.

FAQs

Is Escalante worth seeing?

YES! We both agreed that our favorite hike was in Escalante AND it just felt incredible. We really liked the size of Capitol Reef and enjoyed that we could see most of it in a couple days without being overwhelmed, but there was something special about Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

Where to stay in Torrey, Utah?

There are many wonderful-looking lodging options in Torrey, Utah. We decided on Broken Spur Inn as they had availability, private entrances, pool and hot tub, complimentary breakfast, AND an on-site steakhouse. They had other amazing amenities that made it a very enjoyable stay. We also loved that the Inn is so close to the park entrance. It didn’t feel out of the way to swing by in the middle of our daily adventures.

How much time do you need to explore Capitol Reef?

This will definitely depend on the season and how many of the hikes you want to do, but one or two days should be satisfactory for most. If you’re into overloading, they have some incredible terrain for that too!

Capital Reef and Escalante Itinerary

We did SO much in just a few short days, but I felt like it was perfect. Since I was quite pregnant, we didn’t go too hard and there was plenty of time in the car. One of the best things about Capitol Reef was that we felt close to home base – we could always run back to the hotel real quick or grab something at the restaurant in the middle of the day. I know this trip would have looked different with children, but as a couple with medium energy and the desire to drive to as many places as we could, it was perfect!

Tell me: what are you favorite places to visit in Capitol Reef and Escalante?