Just inside Capitol Reef National Park in Utah is the Fruita Historic District, a desert oasis unlike any other in red rock country. Tall cottonwoods cast shadows over lush green fields, pioneer homesteads remain preserved against sandstone cliffs, and over a thousand fruit trees still thrive where early settlers once made their living. For many visitors, exploring Fruita’s orchards is as memorable as hiking Hickman Bridge or driving the Scenic Drive.

Photo courtesy of NPS

History of the Fruita Orchards in Capitol Reef

The orchards date back to the late 1800s when Mormon pioneers planted apples, apricots, peaches, cherries, and pears along the Fremont River. These families cultivated hardy heirloom varieties suited for the high desert, some of which are now rare outside Fruita. Today, Capitol Reef maintains about 1,900 fruit trees across multiple orchards, preserving both the fruit and the history that come with them (NPS; KUER).

How Capitol Reef’s U-Pick Program Works

If you’re searching for “U-Pick fruit in Utah”, Fruita is one of the most unique destinations in the state. Here’s what visitors need to know:

• Only orchards with “U-Pick Fruit” signs are open for harvesting.
• Self-pay stations with scales are available at each orchard.
• Tools like ladders and picking poles are provided, but visitors must pick only ripe fruit and follow park guidelines (NPS; Visit Utah).

What’s in season:

• Cherries and apricots: June through July
• Peaches: Late July through August
• Apples and pears: September through October

In good years, visitors can taste the changing seasons as different orchards ripen.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

The 2025 Harvest: A Year Without U-Pick

Capitol Reef’s orchards are vulnerable to the weather. In 2025, an unusually early bloom followed by freezing nights destroyed most blossoms. The result: over 80 percent of the fruit harvest was lost, and the park announced that no orchards are open for U-Pick this season (National Parks Traveler). Even so, Fruita remains a highlight. Visitors can stroll the orchards, enjoy the shade of cottonwoods, and stop at the Gifford House for handmade pies, jams, and other treats that carry on the orchard tradition.

Why Fruita’s Orchards Matter

Beyond fresh fruit, Fruita’s orchards connect people to Capitol Reef in a special way. They serve as a living link to pioneer life in Utah, where orchards once provided food and community for families in the Fremont River Valley. Today, they represent the park’s commitment to protecting both natural and cultural history — and they offer modern visitors a chance to slow down, explore, and enjoy the landscape.

The Lodge Connection

Guests at The Lodge at Red River Ranch near Capitol Reef often include Fruita in their daily routines: a morning walk through the orchards, a stop at the Gifford House for pie and coffee, and an afternoon exploring nearby trails. In fall, cottonwoods glow gold against the red cliffs, making Fruita one of the most photographed locations in Capitol Reef. Even in years with a light harvest, the orchards stand as a symbol of the park’s charm—where history, community, and scenery come together.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Plan Your Visit to Capitol Reef Orchards

Whether you’re hoping to pick apples straight from the tree, enjoy fresh peach pie, or simply wander beneath golden leaves, Fruita’s orchards are worth adding to your Capitol Reef itinerary. Check the Capitol Reef U-Pick fruit page before your trip to see which orchards are open and what’s in season.

Make The Lodge at Red River Ranch your home base — just minutes from Fruita — and you’ll be close enough to enjoy the orchards in the morning and still have the whole day to explore Capitol Reef National Park.

As the sun dips below the cliffs of Capitol Reef, a whole new world begins to emerge. The red rock fades to shadow, the air cools, and slowly, one by one, the stars reveal themselves.

Photo: Photo courtesy of NPS

If you’ve only ever seen the night sky from a city or suburb, then the first time you look up in Capitol Reef might be a little overwhelming. The Milky Way stretches from horizon to horizon, thick with light. Planets glow like lanterns, and if you look closely, you can watch satellites tracing their paths across the dark. This is why Capitol Reef has been recognized as one of the best places in the world to view the night sky, and why protecting it is so important.

What Does It Mean to Be a Dark Sky Park?

Back in 2015, Capitol Reef National Park received the Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park designation, the highest level given by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). The park spent years auditing and adjusting its lighting so that artificial light is shielded and directed downward, rather than spilling into the sky; night-sky–friendly fixtures jumped significantly during the designation process. Rangers expanded programming and outreach as well (NPS news release; NPS: Night Sky; DarkSky announcement). These are the kinds of actions IDA looks for when certifying parks (NPS: Dark Sky Park FAQs).

Photo: Photo courtesy of NPS

Those efforts paid off. With its designation, Capitol Reef joined a global network of parks and communities committed to protecting the natural night. For guests, it means you can experience the kind of starlight our ancestors took for granted: brilliant, unfiltered, and humbling.

Why Stargazing Is Getting Harder Everywhere Else

Step outside in Salt Lake City, Denver, or Los Angeles, and you’ll see only a handful of stars. That’s because over 80% of Americans—and 99% of people in the U.S. and Europe—can no longer see the Milky Way from home (TIME; National Geographic). Globally, about one‑third of humanity lives under skies so bright that the Milky Way has disappeared completely (WIRED).

Photo: Photo by 21 Ariels via Shutterstock.com

This glow, known as skyglow, isn’t just a stargazer’s headache; it also impacts ecosystems. Migrating birds lose their way, nocturnal animals change their hunting behavior, and even plants can be affected by too much light at night (National Geographic). For humans, the loss is cultural as much as scientific. For thousands of years, people navigated by the stars, used them to mark seasons, and found inspiration in their patterns. Losing the night sky means losing part of our story.

What You’ll See in Capitol Reef

Here, the view is truly extraordinary. On a clear night, the Milky Way spreads across the desert sky, filled with stars that seem close enough to touch. Depending on the season, you may see bright constellations like Orion, spot planets such as Jupiter or Saturn, and watch meteor showers streak across the sky. Park rangers and astronomy volunteers often host special events, setting up telescopes and guiding visitors through the constellations—part of Capitol Reef’s night‑sky programming that’s been going strong for years (Visit Utah: Dark Skies in Capitol Reef).

Photo: Photo courtesy of NPS

Best of all, you don’t need expensive equipment to be amazed. Even with the naked eye, Capitol Reef provides one of the clearest windows to the universe you’ll ever find. Bring binoculars or a small telescope and you’ll pick out lunar craters, Jupiter’s bands, and even the pale glow of distant galaxies.

Where to Go for the Best Skies

The beauty of Capitol Reef is that almost anywhere you look up, the view is incredible. But a few locations stand out as favorites for stargazers:

• Fruita Campground — Right in the heart of the park. Roll out of your tent or camper and you’re immediately under the stars. It’s a great option if you want convenience without sacrificing dark skies.
• Panorama Point — Just off Highway 24, this overlook is easy to reach and gives you a sweeping view of the horizon. Perfect for catching the Milky Way rising or setting.
• Cathedral Valley — For the adventurous, this remote backcountry area offers some of the darkest, most pristine skies in Capitol Reef. If you want solitude with your stargazing, this is the place to go.
• Torrey, Utah — The gateway town to Capitol Reef, Torrey became Utah’s first certified Dark Sky Community in 2018. Even from town you’ll see more stars than most places in the country, and its commitment to night-sky protection makes it a great base for exploration.

Beyond the park, the surrounding community also plays a part in the story. In 2018, the town of Torrey, Utah, became the state’s first certified Dark Sky Community, underscoring just how much this region values its night skies (USU Extension: Economy of a Dark Sky Town).

Why Protecting Dark Skies Matters

Preserving night skies isn’t just about the view. It’s about protecting habitats, honoring cultural traditions, and creating chances for people to reconnect with wonder. Tourism is part of the equation, too: “astrotourism” is a rapidly growing travel trend as more people seek places where the stars still shine brightly (Condé Nast Traveler). We can all help keep Capitol Reef dark: use fully shielded fixtures, choose warm bulbs, and turn off lights when they aren’t needed (DarkSky lighting guide).

The Lodge Connection

For guests at The Lodge at Red River Ranch, the dark‑sky experience doesn’t end at the park gate. Step outside your room and the stars are already blazing overhead. Take a peaceful walk to the hot tub and watch as more stars emerge with each passing minute. Because The Lodge is far from big‑city glow—and keeps outdoor lighting low and warm—your eyes adjust quickly, giving you an authentic dark‑sky experience without ever getting in the car.

And of course, being just minutes from Capitol Reef means you can spend the day exploring red‑rock canyons and then settle in for an evening of stargazing. For many guests, that combination—rugged landscape by day, endless stars by night—is what makes Capitol Reef unforgettable.

Plan Your Visit

Capitol Reef’s skies remind us what the night used to be: natural, brilliant, and endless. They’re part of the park’s identity, as essential as the domes of Navajo sandstone or the orchards in Fruita. And they’re waiting for you.

Make The Lodge at Red River Ranch your home base, and experience for yourself what makes Capitol Reef not only one of Utah’s most underrated parks, but also one of the best places in the world to see the stars.

Southern Utah offers a lot: red rocks, vast skies, and open roads. One of the best ways to enjoy this scenery is from your car, truck, or bike. Whether you’re road-tripping across the country or just looking for something to do after breakfast at the lodge, these are our favorite scenic drives near Capitol Reef. We’ve picked some local favorites, including well-known spots and hidden gems; each one is truly worth your time.

1. Scenic Byway 12

Let’s start with the most obvious choice. Scenic Byway 12 is Utah’s premier scenic route. It connects Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon and winds through slickrock canyons, high mountain forests, red desert cliffs, and everything in between. It’s even been designated an All-American Road by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which is quite an honor.

Photo by Donald Giannatti via Unsplash.com

If you’re starting in Torrey, head south through Boulder and then Escalante. If you have the time, stop and visit Lower Calf Creek Falls—it’s a hike you won’t forget. And when you reach the infamous Hogback, prepare for a narrow ridge with steep drop-offs on both sides. Try not to look down too much; it’s a drop that seems to go on forever.

2. Burr Trail

For a bit of adventure, try driving the Burr Trail, a winding 67-mile route taking you through some of the most remote parts of the park. It begins in Boulder and goes through the southern part of Capitol Reef. Along the way, you’ll see narrow canyons, petrified sand dunes, and the famous Burr Trail Switchbacks, which plunge dramatically into the Waterpocket Fold.

Photo by Intricate Explorer via Unsplash.com

This drive is stunning and usually not crowded. Bring snacks, water, and a camera. The journey is beautiful, but not as smooth as Highway 12—only the first 30 miles are paved, with the rest transitioning into a dirt road. So, it’s essential to start in a capable vehicle with good clearance; four-wheel drive is always a smart choice. For the latest info, check out this link.

3. Cathedral Valley Loop

This trail is a bit more off the beaten path but has gained popularity recently. The Cathedral Valley Loop takes you to the secluded northern part of Capitol Reef, where you can see impressive monoliths like the Temple of the Sun and Moon. It also offers some of the park’s best solitude, making it a peaceful escape. Additionally, it’s known for its extremely dark skies, perfect for stargazing. If you’re not familiar with the night sky or want a local perspective, visit Meridian Tours to schedule jeep or stargazing tours.

Photo by Robin Canfield via Unsplash.com

You’ll need a high-clearance vehicle, possibly with four-wheel drive. As with the Burr Trail, check road conditions at the visitor center before heading out. For the most current updates, visit this link. If you’re feeling adventurous, this drive is highly rewarding.

4. Notom–Bullfrog Road

Looking for a quieter experience but still want to enjoy Southern Utah? Try the Notom–Bullfrog Road. It runs along the eastern edge of Capitol Reef, offering a close-up view of the Waterpocket Fold. The road is mostly dirt but usually in good condition for most vehicles. Just watch the weather because it can get muddy quickly. Checking with the Capitol Reef Visitor Center for recent updates is always a good idea.

This drive feels wild, with empty desert valleys, rocky ridgelines, and very few cars. It’s a fantastic way to experience the feeling of discovery, even when everything’s marked on the map. If you have the time and spirit, this is a must-visit.

5. Fishlake Loop

If you want to cool off, head north to Fishlake. This high-elevation drive passes by alpine lakes, aspen groves, and grassy meadows—completely different from the red rocks of Capitol Reef. It’s almost hard to believe they’re so close. It’s perfect for hot summer days or early fall.

Photo by Strauss Western via unsplash.com

Bring a picnic, stop by the lake, and if you’re into fishing, this is one of the top spots in the state. You can even visit Pando, the world’s largest living organism (an aspen grove, and yes, it’s real). To see more on this quick trip, click here.

Hit the Road

There are hundreds of miles of scenic roads near Capitol Reef. These five are just our favorites. Pick one or all, pack some snacks, load up, and hit the road.

And if you’re looking for the perfect basecamp, The Lodge at Red River Ranch is right in the middle of it all: comfortable rooms, stunning views, and access to a network of scenic drives nearby. See for yourself.

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 your vacation.

Photo by Mitchell Luo via unsplash.com

How AI Works. Very Simplified.

Here’s the problem: Large Language Models (LLMs) are the type of AI that are used to scour the web and generate text about any subject. They work kind of like the auto-complete function on your phone. And to be fair, it is very impressive technology. However, since it’s mostly concerned with making grammatically correct, complete sentences and paragraphs, it will often just “make up” whatever is convenient for the article it has been asked to write. This phenomenon is called “hallucinating.” And when you search on Google for travel ideas and it summarizes what the internet says about that location, you can get a lot of hallucination. And it can be even worse when you visit a travel site that has used AI to generate itineraries.

Photo by Red River Ranch via Midjourney. An AI-generated image of a man that is upset that his AI-generated itinerary ruined his AI-generated vacation. Plus, he’s probably upset that he has three feet.

So How Bad Is It?

A recent study found the following when looking at a representative sample of AI travel itineraries:

• 90% of AI-generated travel itineraries include at least one error, according to the research.
  Over half (52%) suggest visiting at least one attraction, restaurant or cafe outside of its opening hours.
• Nearly one in four (24%) recommend going to at least one restaurant, cafe or attraction that is permanently closed or closed until further notice.
• 30% of errors include a references to a Michelin-star restaurant.
• 1 in 4 (25%) of itineraries display a lack of logical planning, requiring travelers to backtrack or take unnecessary detours in order to reach places.

That can make for a pretty inconvenient, increasingly frustrating, and often more costly trip. So what can you do about it?

Photo by nps.gov. The National Park Service is your friend.

Find the Right Sources.

It can be a nightmare to try to determine what is AI-generated slop and what is good, old fashioned travel advice. So start with the prime sources as much as possible. Since the guests at the Lodge at Red River Ranch are coming to tour Southern Utah (and if you’ve read this far in the article we are assuming you’re also interested in a trip to Southern Utah) they should visit the official web pages of the national parks for all the most important information. Here’s the pages for Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Capitol Reef.

Then check out the official tourism website for the state, or city, that you wish to visit. For us, that website is visitutah.com.

And finally, rely on established brands that have been writing travel itineraries for years. The Lonely Planet website, National Geographic guide books, Frommer’s, etc. There is no guarantee that they won’t switch to AI, but they have a lot of brand-equity built into their continued reliability. Which means hopefully they fact-check things.

Photo by Red River Ranch.

And What About The Lodge? You Have Itineraries.

We do have itineraries, thanks for noticing! And we worked hard to make sure that they are accurate. You can check them out here. We also have about a billion blog articles which you can read here. All of which can help you build a better vacation.

And no, we don’t use AI to write anything on our website. We do it all by hand! But… we did use AI to make the main image on this blog post. It seemed fitting to use AI to make an image of a guy messing up his vacation by using AI to plan his trip.

“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.”

Capital –
1. of a letter: of or conforming to the series A, B, C, etc. rather than a, b, c, etc.
2. being the seat of government: London is the capital city of England.
3. chief in importance or influence
4. excellent: As in “a capital book”

Capitol –
1. a building in which a state legislative body meets or a group of buildings in which the functions of state government are carried out
2. the dome of the state capitol

“Hold up, that still doesn’t make that much sense,” again we hear you say. “There are no federal, state, or even local government buildings at this national park. Wouldn’t it be better if it was Capital Reef? With an A? At least that means ‘excellent.’ What’s going on?”

And you would be right. But allow us to make our rebuttal with these two images:

Photo by Michael via unsplash.com

Photo by LJ Coates via unsplash.com

You see, it turns out that Capitol Reef is named for its geology. The many white, sandstone domes in the park are reminiscent of the domes that appear on most capitol buildings. When the 19th-century explorers came to this region, that was the closest thing that they had to compare these geological features to.

“I Guess That Makes Sense. But What’s The Word ‘Reef’ Doing In There?”

Right. Another excellent question. This one is easier. “Reef” is just an antiquated term for any rocky, impassable barrier. Similar to our modern usage of the word, which is now almost exclusively used for marine barriers. So to put it all together, “Capitol Reef” is just a collection of domed rocks that you can’t travel across.

“Huh. Cool. But I CAN Travel Across Capitol Reef, Right?”

Yes! With current road building technology, we have indeed made these domed rocks passable. Which means you can come visit and see these amazing domes for yourself!

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 apple picking and star gazing!

Photo by Diane Helentjaris via unsplash.com.

Apple Picking

Today is September 17, 2024 and it’s one of our favorite days of the year. Because today is the first day of the apple picking season! Is there anything more autumnal than a crisp, tree-ripened apple? We don’t think so. And it tastes so much better when you pick it yourself!

So if you’re looking for a truly fall-inspired activity, head to the orchards located near the visitor center entrance to the park. You’ll see the “U-Pick Fruit” signs posted outside of the orchards. There will also be a sign telling you what fruit is available to be picked. This time of year, September through to October, apples are the showstopper. (They do also have pears, if that’s you’re thing.) You can eat as many apples as you like inside the orchard – for free – but for any that you take back with you, please use the scale to weigh your fruit and deposit the required cash in the lockbox nearby. (It’s very inexpensive.)

Avoid climbing any of the trees, and no dogs or other pets allowed inside the orchards. But if you’re lucky, you’ll get to spot some of the local deer also perusing the orchards for a sweet snack.

Photo by Joseph Corl via unsplash.com.

Heritage StarFest 2024

It’s StarFest again! Capitol Reef is putting on a week of stargazing workshops and lectures to educate and entertain. Starting Wednesday, September 25 and running through Monday, September 29 you can participate in this fantastic opportunity to learn more about the night sky and our place in the cosmos. There are also classes on how to take pictures of the milky way, so if your an amateur nighttime photographer this might be for you.

Note from the Park: you need to register to attend these photography classes. It’s free but spaces are limited. Email care_information@nps.gov or by call 435–425–4112. If no answer, please leave a voice message. In your email or voice message, please include your name, phone number, email address, which day you would like to attend and how many people you are signing up.

Here’s the schedule of events for StarFest 2024, pulled straight from this page here on the official website. We hope you get the chance to attend this year, it’s always a blast!

Monday, September 23rd – Thursday, September 26th

Nightly at the Fruita Campground amphitheater. Programs begin near dusk.

Join park rangers to learn about a variety of night-related topics including astronomy and nocturnal creatures.

Friday, September 27th

Programs will take place in Capitol Reef National Park.

Guest Speaker Series
3pm at the visitor center theater: Dr. Qicheng Zhang, Lowell Observatory, Anatomy of a Great Comet. Comets occasionally produce spectacular visual displays with ghostly tails stretching many degrees across the night sky, and one such bright comet may only be a week away.

5pm at the visitor center theater: Dr. Anil Seth, University of Utah, The Nearest Massive Black Hole. Focusing on the recent detection of a black hole in the Milky Way’s most massive cluster, Omega Centauri, and why this black hole is unique and interesting.

7pm at the Fruita Campground amphitheater: Dr. Kyle Dawson, University of Utah, Mapping the Universe: 5,000 Galaxies at a Time. The cosmos hold a wealth of information about the earliest times in the universe and the fundamental laws of Physics.

Telescope Program
8:30pm – 11pm at the Fruita Campground amphitheater parking lot. Join park rangers and volunteers, and guest amateur astronomers as the Milky Way and other celestial wonders are brought to your eye with various telescopes.

Saturday, September 28

Events will take place at the Torrey Park (100 N. 75 East in Torrey, UT) and at the Entrada Institute’s Robber’s Roost (185 W. Main St. in Torrey, UT).

Special Speakers and Presentations
Throughout the afternoon and early evening at the Robber’s Roost in Torrey. Please see our community partner’s website at https://www.entradainstitute.org/ for more information and to register for a particular program at the Robber’s Roost.

Solar Viewing and Junior Astronomy Programming
4pm to 6pm at the Torrey Park. Join park staff and volunteers, and guest amateur astronomers to safely view our closest star with solar telescopes and participate in fun, child-focused astronomy activities.

Torrey Park Telescope Program
8:30pm – 11pm at the Torrey Park. Join park staff and volunteers, community partners and guest amateur astronomers to view the Milky Way and other celestial wonders through many different telescopes.

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 hot. Really hot. So it’s important to be safe when playing outdoors, and it’s important to learn how to spot some of the most common heat related problems – namely heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Of the two, heat stroke is by far the more dangerous, requiring immediate medical attention. Here’s how to tell heat exhaustion and heat stroke apart – and what to do next. Let’s talk about them and what you can do to be prepared.

Photo by MK via unsplash.com.

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms
Faint and/or dizzy
Excessive sweating
Cool or clammy skin
Nausea or vomiting
Rapid, fluttery, and weak pulse
Muscle cramps

What to do?
If you, or someone in your party, is displaying signs of heat exhaustion, take action to cool down. If possible, get to an air-conditioned place. If that’s not possible, find shade on the trail. Drink plenty of water and take a long break. And be ready to turn back. It’s not worth trying to “finish” the hike if someone isn’t feeling well.

Of course, the best cure is prevention. Don’t hike when the sun is strong, but instead plan your adventures for the mornings and evenings.

Heat Stroke

Symptoms
Strong, persistent headache
Not sweating
Hot skin, usually dry
Nausea or vomiting
Rapid, over-strong pulse
May lose consciousness

What to do?
Call 911. Then take immediate action to bring the body’s temperature down. If you have access to ice, make an ice bath, or place ice compresses under the armpits and between the thighs. If you’re on the trail, move into deep shade and use wet-cloth compresses in those same spots. Do everything you can to cool the person down, and wait for emergency services to arrive.

Heat stroke is serious. But there are plenty of observable warning signs before a person develops heat stroke. Be smart when hiking in the summer months. Don’t attempt activities beyond your abilities. And always, always carry plenty of water. Plan ahead and you’ll be perfectly fine playing outside this summer.

We at the Lodge get asked a lot of questions about Capitol Reef. And sometimes those questions have interesting answers. Here’s a couple of common ones that you might have had yourself about the park and its history. And just remember you can always find more answers over here at the official site for Capitol Reef.

Capitol Reef exists today because of early conservation efforts. Photo by Glen Rushton via unsplash.com

When was Capitol Reef Formed?

Well, the area was dedicated a national park in 1971, but it was actually a national monument before that, and before that, it was a couple of brothers-in-law passion project. Starting in 1921, a Torrey local named Ephraim Portman Pectol founded a “booster club” that helped promote the idea of creating a protected area in Wayne County to preserve the natural wonders of the region. His brother-in-law Joseph S. Hickman (for whom Hickman Bridge is named) liked the idea enough to create the Wayne Wonderland Club – the suggested name for the protected area in question. When Hickman was elected to the state legislature in 1924 he pushed for his idea, but sadly, just as he was getting the ball rolling, he drowned in a boating accident.

But Pectol didn’t give up. In the coming years he raised enough funds to hire a photographer to record images of the proposed “Wayne Wonderland National Monument.” Then, when Pectol himself was elected to the legislature in 1933, he lobbied president Franklin D. Roosevelt to make the Wayne Wonderland dream a reality. And Roosevelt was on board. Over the next few years federal survey of the area was commissioned and completed. Then in 1937 Roosevelt signed a proclamation creating the Capitol Reef National Monument.

A large, impassable sandstone formation. Named, fittingly enough, Pectol’s Pyramid. Photo by Luke Richardson via unsplash.com

Why is it Called “Capitol Reef”?

“Capitol Reef” is kind of an odd name, when you stop to think about it. Other parks are named after people – Bryce Canyon, for instance – or for ideals – Zion – or for their prominent geological features – you know what to expect from Arches and Canyonlands by their names. But what does Capitol Reef mean? Well actually, it turns out that Capitol Reef is also named for its geology. The many white, sandstone domes in the park are reminiscent of the domes that appear on most capitol buildings. So that solves the “capitol” part of the name. And a “reef” is just a now-out-of-use term that denotes a rocky barrier, something impassable during the time of the 19th-century explorers and settlers. So “Capitol Reef” is just a collection of domed rocks that you can’t travel across.

Of course our road building capabilities have improved since the area was named, so that now you can travel through Capitol Reef National Park. And we highly recommend that you do.

If you’ve ever driven from Salt Lake City to Capitol Reef National Park, then you’ve seen Pando – earth’s largest organism! Pando is a tree. Or more accurately, Pando is a clonal tree colony. What appears to be a forest of thousands of single quaking aspen trees is actually one living organism – Pando, the Trembling Giant. Located about a mile outside of Fish Lake, Pando is clearly visible from Utah State Road 24, near the Koosharem reservoir.

By SoloTravelGoals via Unsplash.com

Lots of Awards

Judging by the genetic markers taken from trunks all over the colony, Pando is estimated to span over a hundred acres. And it weighs about 6,600 tons – making it both the largest and the heaviest known single organism in the world! Determining Pando’s age is a little tricker, but most studies estimate it to be about 80,000 years old (although some suggest that it may be as old as one million years.) Its age easily ranks Pando among earth’s oldest organisms.

By Andrea Reiman via Unsplash.com

See Pando Yourself

As we pointed out, Pando can clearly be seen on Utah State Road 24. But if you want to walk among the 40,000 trunks of Pando, then you should check out Fish Lake and Fishlake National Forest. The Fishlake Scenic Byway – also known as Utah State Road 25 – will reveal large swaths of Pando. Feel free to get out and stretch your legs on top of the Trembling Giant. (And while you’re up there, but sure to check out Fish Lake. It’s the largest fresh water lake in the state, and is pretty awesome too.)

Not Feeling So Well

Unfortunately, Pando has been exhibiting signs of stress. Some scientists believe it could be dying. The exact reasons for this are not known, but competition with encroaching conifers, wide-spread grazing, and drought are thought to be contributing factors. The Forest Service is currently trying various tests to see if we can’t help improve the health of this amazing organism.

If you’ve ever been hiking in the deserts of Southern Utah, then you’ve probably come across strange, blackish bumps in the sand, about an inch or two tall. And you may have wondered to yourself, “What the heck are these things?” Well we have the answers! Those are biological soil crusts. And they are complex colonies of bacteria, fungi, algae, and lichens. You can find biological soil crusts here in Capitol Reef National Park, in the high deserts of Southern Utah, and in arid and semi-arid regions everywhere across the world. And it probably won’t surprise you to learn that they play a vital role in these environments.

Photo by Nihonjoe via Wikimedia Commons

What Do They Do?

Biological soil crusts are very important for the health of the desert ecosystem. The help fix atmospheric carbon and nitrogen, providing essential nutrients for the sparse vegetation that does grow here. They also reduce soil erosion, and collect water, preventing the sands from being washed away during rainstorms. Most of these colonies of bacteria have large populations of cyanobacteria, which are actually capable of photosynthesis. And because they absorb some of the sun’s rays, the desert sands are less reflective in areas with established soil crusts. Which is good news for your eyeballs. (If you’re curious, the measure of reflective light off of a surface is call albedo.)

How Are They Made?

Biological soil crust begins to form when fungi spores colonize the area between desert plants. Once the fungi has stabilized, cyanobacteria and other bacteria, such as bryophytes, congregate around the fungi structures. Eventually, lichens and algae join the party. The whole process takes a long time to complete. Depending on the amount of water available in the region, it can literally thousands of years for mature soil crust to develop.

Photo by Nihonjoe via Wikimedia Commons

Look. But Don’t Touch.

Biological soil crusts are extremely fragile. (Which, considering how long they take to form, is completely understandable.) Crushing and tearing soil crusts can result in widespread colony collapse. You may permanently destroy the soil crust, or at least, impact the area for decades, if you step on it. This in turn leads to substantial soil erosion – negatively impacting desert plant life and, in turn, the animal life which depends on the plants.

Everyone who visits the national parks of Southern Utah falls in love with the area. Help do your part to keep this place as beautiful as it is. One way to do that, is to not damage the soil crusts that are so important to the life of our deserts. So when you’re hiking or riding your ATV in Southern Utah, think of the little colonies all around you, and avoid any distribution of the biological soil crusts. Stay on the designated trails and roads, or if you’re hiking where there are no trails, walk in sandy washes or on bare rock so as not to destroy the little guys. They’re our friends, after all.

You can learn more about biological soil crusts here on Wikipedia and here on the National Parks Service website.