Horseback Riding
Capitol Reef National Park
The following are recommended rides at Capitol Reef National Park:
- South Draw: Access to Tantalus Flats and Boulder Mountain or return down Pleasant Creek.
- Old Wagon Trail: Access to Miners Mountain with good views of the Waterpocket Fold.
- The South Desert: Access from the Upper or Lower South Desert Overlook, or from Utah Highway 24.
- Halls Creek: From The Post south through Halls Creek drainage (Halls Creek Narrows is closed to horses).
Old Wagon Trail
Ride along the old wagon trail, (3.5 miles round trip loop) the main route 100 years ago to the town of Grover. Trailhead is between Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge on the Scenic Drive, approximately 6 miles south of the Visitor Center.
This is a trail that follows the old wagon route on Miners Mountain. The trail is on the Moenkopi Formation and will give you constant panoramic views of the escarpment of the Waterpocket Fold.
The South Desert
located in the northern end of the park, marks the eastern boundary of the Waterpocket Fold. It is approximately 15 miles long and 6 miles wide. Two overlooks let you view the South Desert by automobile. Refer to Jailhouse Rock for travel direction to the Lower South Desert Overlook.
Continuing on the Hartnet Road from the Lower South Desert Overlook for approximately 13.0 miles will bring you to the Upper South Desert Overlook. From this overlook, you can stand on top of a sheer 800 foot cliff and see the remnants of the old freight route through the desert. In an effort to avoid the 50 or more stream crossings along the Fremont River, heavy freight wagons took the dryer, but hotter South Desert to travel through the Fold.
South Draw Road
Surface: The route traverses a variety of dirt, sand, and rocky surfaces and crosses several creeks that may be muddy.
Description: This ride is not recommended in the winter or spring months due to deep snow at higher elevations which make the route impassable. The route starts at 8,500 feet on Boulder Mountain and ends in the park at 5,500 feet. This trip works best if you can shuttle a vehicle to the Pleasant Creek parking area located at the end of the Scenic Drive and then drive to a starting point at the junction of the Bowns Reservoir Road and Utah Hwy 12 on Boulder Mountain.
Follow the Bowns Reservoir Road to Jorgeson and Tantalus Flats (bypass the turnoff to the reservoir), and continue on into the park via the South Draw Road. The South Draw Road turns into the Pleasant Creek Road at the Pleasant Creek crossing inside the park. The parking area is located near this point. If you prearranged a vehicle shuttle, your trip will end here. Be sure to carry a map of the area (available at the CRNHA in the Visitor Center) as there are side roads that may be confusing.
Many other rides of varying durations are possible. Cross-country travel is permitted, but horses should be kept in wash bottoms or other areas where damage to vegetation and soils is minimal. The availability of water is a limiting factor in the use of horses at Capitol Reef, therefore, all horse users should contact the park prior to arriving in order to determine current conditions and any possible policy change. The park currently has no developed overnight facilities for horse users. If you plan on car camping, you will need to find a suitable location outside the park.
Rules & Regulations
The following rules and regulations apply to horse users:
Maximum party size: no more than 12 persons and 12 animals for overnight trips.
Loose herding of pack and saddle stock is prohibited.
Horses and pack animals may not be ridden or kept overnight in any established roadside pullout or in the campgrounds.
Backcountry camping is prohibited within 1/2 mile and within sight of Utah Highway 24. In other areas of the park backcountry, camping is prohibited within sight of maintained roads and trails. Campsite and tethering areas must be a minimum of 300 feet from non-flowing water (natural waterpockets or tanks) and at least 100 feet from flowing water.
Horses should be watered downstream from source if at all possible and any manure dropped in or near non-flowing water shall be removed immediately to avoid contamination.
Campsites should be 300 feet from any archeological site.
Horses must be picketed in locations in which there will be minimum vegetation damage.
Grazing is not permitted; overnight trips must carry in all feed.
Parties are required to pack out all trash and scatter manure upon vacating a campsite.
Accidents resulting in personal injury must be reported to a park ranger as soon as possible.
Any commercially guided horse or pack stock trips must be provided by an outfitter authorized to operate under the commercial use procedures for Capitol Reef National Park.
Closed Areas
The following developed trails are closed to horse use in order to protect constructed tread, rock steps, etc., or because of terrain that would be hazardous for horse and rider:
- Hickman Bridge
- Rim Overlook/Navajo Knobs
- Cohab Canyon
- Frying Pan Trail
- Cassidy Arch
- Fremont River Overlook
- Fremont Gorge Viewpoint
- Tanks View
Horse use in any part of the park may be prohibited when, at the discretion of the Superintendent, such action is necessary to protect park values or visitors. Any closure will be published and posted at the Visitor Center and on this page.
-- Source: Capitol Reef National Park
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