On a road trip to Zion National Park, we made a stop at Capitol Reef National Park. This was a great halfway mark for us between Salt Lake City and Zion National Park. Who knew we would find such a hidden gem! The whole family loved our adventures at Capitol Reef National Park.
Must Do’s with Kids at Capitol Reef National Park
#3 Explore the Petroglyphs
As soon as you pass the Visitor Center for Capitol Reef National Park, you will see a boardwalk and parking area on your left. This is a viewing area for petroglyphs. You can walk right up to the rock wall with lots of petroglyphs. The kids will love using the telescopes to get an even closer view.
You will see families holding hands and even animals. Our kids loved it! They spent a lot of time just trying to come up with the story and what the Native Americans were trying to tell us about their family and life.
If you want a longer adventure, there is a boardwalk that you can walk down to hunt for more petroglyph drawings. It was like an Easter egg hunt for the kids!
#2 Hickman Bridge Hike
If you are feeling a little more adventurous, take the family on 1.8 mile hike to see Hickman Bridge. This hike is climbs up and up and up towards Hickman Bridge. This is a large natural arch that looks like a bridge. Once you get up to Hickman Bridge, you have a little loop. Then the trek back is mostly down, which is great for your leg back to the car.
Seeing the Hickman Bridge is worth the hike. However, we do not think that was the best part. The loop around the Hickman Bridge, includes this spectacular overlook view. That was the most incredible part for our family…just soaking up the view.
Our kids are a little bit older, but we did see lots of younger kids (including toddlers) on this same hike. It is a moderate hike, but still good for kids. Be sure you pack lots of water. You always want to be prepared, even on a shorter hike.
#1 Llama Hike Tour
Less than a mile from Capitol Reef Park, is the Llamas Adventures at Capitol Reef Resort. We took a 2 hour hike with some new llama friends. We each got our own llama to lead on our adventure. We also had a guide. We homeschool our kids, so this was such an incredible learning opportunity for them. They learned about the environment, the llamas, and even Capitol Reef Park from the local guide. It was an incredible experience for the whole family.
Honorable Mention: If you have a little extra time, stop by the Gifford House to try a pie. They have amazing pies for only $5.99. It is a tasty treat after a hike!
Capitol Reef National Park is now a favorite with our family. What National Park is your favorite?
