Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

I left Moab headed West to Capitol Reef National Park. The highway goes right through the park and instantly the landscape of red rocks were amazing. I found a campsite on freecampsites.net just right outside the park and then drove back to panorama point for sunset. The next day I drove down the 10 mile scenic drive and got off the main road to check out Grand Wash. I went on a 4 mile hike into a wash in a canyon. It was early so I missed the sun and heat of the day. I still get a little nervous hiking in narrow canyons after my flash flood experience in Paria Canyon earlier this summer but it was a clear day with no rain.

Grand Wash Hike

Tall Canyon Walls on the hike

After the hike I continued the scenic drive and stopped at an orchard to pick some apples and pears. There were several orchards in the park that were started by Mormon pioneers back in the day. 

Then I checked out some petroglyphs on a nearby rockface. I find petroglyphs really fascinating to think about the people who made them and how long ago they have been there.

Petroglyphs

Capitol Reef is a lesser known park but still worth visiting.

Next: Part 2 of 3 National Parks- Bryce Canyon NP