Go to Category
June, 2026
Education, Nature, Outdoor adventures
The First Fruit Of Summer
So here we are at the start of June, which means Southern Utah is beginning to do its summer thing. The mornings are still pretty nice. The afternoons are starting to make their point. And over in Fruita, the orchards are doing something that is always worth paying attention to. […]
March, 2026
Education, Nature, Outdoor adventures
Wildflowers and Blossoms: When the Desert Comes Alive in March
People are often surprised by what the desert does in spring. The assumption — reasonable, if you’ve only seen Southern Utah in the summer — is that a landscape this arid and rugged blooms reluctantly, if at all. […]
Desert Wildlife in March: What’s Stirring in Southern Utah
Spend a winter at Capitol Reef and the desert can feel pretty still. The cottonwoods are bare. The light comes in low and cold. And aside from the occasional raven or coyote, the landscape seems to belong mostly to rock and wind. […]
September, 2025
Education, Historical places, Nature
The Orchards of Fruita — Capitol Reef’s Living History and U-Pick Tradition
Just inside Capitol Reef National Park is the Fruita Historic District, and it’s a little different from anything else you’ll find in red rock country. Tall cottonwoods shade lush green fields, pioneer homesteads sit right up against the sandstone cliffs, and over a thousand fruit trees still produce where early settlers once made their living. […]
August, 2025
Education, Outdoor adventures
What Makes Capitol Reef a Dark Sky Park, And Why It Matters
When the sun drops below the cliffs at Capitol Reef, something shifts. The red rock goes to shadow, the air cools, and one by one the stars start showing up. […]
July, 2025
Education, Nearly Nearby Attractions, Outdoor adventures
The Best Scenic Drives Near Capitol Reef
Southern Utah has a lot going for it: red rock, big sky, and roads that were basically made to be driven. Whether you’re road-tripping through and passing by, or just looking for something to do after breakfast, these are our favorite scenic drives near Capitol Reef. […]
AI is Ruining Your Vacation
Artificial Intelligence is everywhere. It’s been embraced by every major tech company. But the problem with AI is that it’s not always accurate. (Although sometimes pretty hilarious.) And all this low-quality AI slop flooding the web could be ruining […]
December, 2024
Education
What’s In A Name?
“Wait,” we hear you say, “is it spelled Capital Reef or Capitol Reef?” Don’t worry, most people wonder the same thing. It’s spelled C-A-P-I-T-O-L Reef. With an O. “Okay. But Why?” Good question. To explain, let’s look at the definitions of both “capital” and “capitol.” […]
September, 2024
Education, Outdoor adventures
Apple Picking and Star Gazing – More Fun This Fall
We just talked about all the fall colors you can see on a Southern Utah roadtrip. But let’s talk about a couple other awesome fall activities that you can do this month, right here in Capitol Reef National Park – let’s go […]
July, 2024
Education, Outdoor adventures
Watch out for Summer Heat
You’re ready to get outside. Like, really ready. Ready to hike and play in sunny Southern Utah! With Memorial Day Weekend only a few days away, it’s basically summer here in Southern Utah. And, as you no doubt know, summer here in the desert can be […]