As summer heat wanes and the leaves start to change, Capitol Reef enters one of its best seasons. September and October bring cooler mornings, crisp evenings, and a splash of golden cottonwoods in the Fremont River valley. The crowds diminish, the light softens, and the trails open for long, relaxed days of exploration. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to visit, fall is it.

Photo courtesy of Galyna Andrushko via Shutterstock

Why Fall Is Perfect for Hiking

In July and August, daytime highs can make long hikes exhausting. By mid-September, though, the weather balances out: warm enough to be comfortable, cool enough for longer distances. Early mornings are crisp, afternoons are pleasant, and evenings call for a sweater instead of a sunhat. With fewer visitors than in summer, you’ll find parking at trailheads easier and trails less crowded. Even the risk of flash floods decreases as the monsoon season ends and drier skies return.

Trails Worth Exploring This Season

Fall hiking in Capitol Reef isn’t about conquering the most challenging trails — it’s about enjoying the park during its most inviting season. Here are some of the best options:

• Hickman Bridge Trail: A short but stunning hike (about two miles round trip) that passes by Fremont River overlooks before reaching a natural stone arch. Cooler fall temperatures make this an ideal late-morning walk.
• Grand Wash: Wide, sheer canyon walls and peaceful sandy washes make this trail memorable. Cottonwoods at the bottom of the wash start turning golden by late September, adding a splash of autumn color.
• Cohab Canyon: A moderate climb near Fruita, this trail weaves through narrow canyons and up to expansive overlooks of the orchards and river valley. The mix of rock and fall leaves makes it a favorite for photographers.
• Capitol Gorge: A leisurely walk along a historic pioneer road. Petroglyphs, water pockets, and striking canyon walls make this a perfect choice for late in the day, when the light is soft and golden.

Photo courtesy of Juan Carlos Munoz via Shutterstock

Fall Colors in Fruita

The Fruita Historic District, just inside the park entrance, is always worth a visit — but in fall it becomes something special. Cottonwoods and willows along the Fremont River change from green to bright yellow, framing the red rock cliffs in autumn gold. The pioneer-era orchards also add to the charm. While 2025’s harvest season was largely lost to a hard spring freeze that wiped out most of the crop, the orchards remain open for strolling, and the Gifford House stays stocked with pies and jams that carry on the Fruita tradition.

Photo courtesy of Wirestock Creators via Shutterstock

Planning Tips for September and October

• Timing: Early mornings and late afternoons are the most comfortable for longer hikes. Midday is still warm, but manageable.
• Gear: Layers are essential. Temperatures can swing widely between morning and evening.
• Crowds: Weekdays are the quietest. Even on weekends, you’ll find far fewer visitors than in Zion or Arches National Park.
• Colors: Peak foliage in Fruita and the Fremont River corridor usually runs late September through early October — but the exact timing shifts year to year.

The Lodge Connection

One of the best parts about hiking Capitol Reef in the fall is knowing you have a cozy home base just minutes away. Guests at The Lodge at Red River Ranch often start their mornings with a hot drink on the porch, go into the park for a refreshing daytime hike, and come back in the evening to relax by the fire or soak in the hot tub. With the trailheads so close, you don’t have to rush — you can enjoy the best of the park at a leisurely pace, the way fall was meant to be experienced.

Photo courtesy of Joseph Sohm via Shutterstock

Plan Your Visit

Fall is fleeting in the high desert, but it’s also unforgettable. Whether you’re walking beneath cottonwoods in Fruita, climbing toward Hickman Bridge, or exploring a canyon at sunset, you’ll see Capitol Reef at its most colorful and inviting.

Make The Lodge at Red River Ranch your base this fall, and discover why September and October are the hidden gems of Utah’s hiking season.

As more people try to complete their summer plans, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially after months of seeing social media flooded with long entrance lines, overflowing parking lots, and crowded trails at the country’s most popular national parks. However, we at the Lodge at Red River Ranch know a better way to spend your time. Just down the road from us is Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, one of the state’s best-kept secrets. With towering cliffs, winding canyons, and unforgettable vistas, Capitol Reef offers all the beauty of Utah’s “Mighty Five,” and all without the crowds.

Photo by Kelly vanDellen via Shutterstock.com

Here, you can slow down, explore at your own pace, and still have plenty of time to enjoy a nice glass of wine before bidding the sun farewell in one of the many nearby restaurants.

1. Capitol Reef’s Scenic Beauty Without the Crowds

When people search “best time to visit Capitol Reef,” the answer is pretty much always “now.” Even at its busiest, this park feels open and accessible. Capitol Reef welcomed 1.42 million visitors in 2024, its highest ever, according to KUER News. That’s still a fraction of the nearly five million who poured into Zion National Park. What does that mean for you? Easier parking, slower mornings, and uncrowded trails, especially in the further reaches of the park.

Popular Capitol Reef attractions, such as the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, Cathedral Valley, and Hickman Bridge, offer world-class red-rock scenery comparable to that of other parks, with a quarter of the crowd. Whether you’re capturing sunrise over the Navajo Knobs or enjoying a calm mid-day hike through Grand Wash, you’ll notice the difference: a lot less noise, a lot more space, and more time to enjoy what you came to see.

Photo by Kelly vanDellen via Shutterstock.com

From The Lodge, you can be at the park’s visitor center in under 15 minutes, which means you can start your day before most travelers have even finished breakfast in other towns.

2. Capitol Reef’s Fruita Orchards, Gifford Homestead, and the Best Pie in Utah

If you search “things to do in Capitol Reef,” you’ll see plenty of mentions of the Fruita Historic District. Settled in the late 1800s, this desert oasis is home to pioneer-era orchards that continue to produce apples, peaches, and pears in season.

Photo by Nick Fox via Shutterstock.com

Right at the heart of Fruita is the Gifford Homestead, famous for small-batch fruit pies that visitors rave about (visitor video). They bake 32 dozen pies a day, and they’re usually sold out by early afternoon. Trust us, you’ll want to grab yours before heading out for an afternoon hike. Many guests at The Lodge start their day with a scenic orchard stroll, then stop at Gifford’s for pie before venturing deeper into the park (NPS: Gifford Homestead).

Harvest season in Capitol Reef adds another layer of charm; grab a basket, and you can pick your own fruit right from the trees. It’s a slice of living history you won’t find in other Utah national parks.

3. Hiking, Backcountry Drives, and Rugged Adventure in Capitol Reef

If you’re the type to search for “Utah Backcountry Hikes,” you’ll find that this park is a dream for explorers. The geology here is dominated by the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust (Utah.com). It’s a place for hikers, photographers, and anyone who loves a good off-the-beaten-path experience.

Favorites in Capitol Reef include Cassidy Arch, named after outlaw Butch Cassidy, and Sulphur Creek, where you can wade through shallow water and navigate through slot canyons. In the northern area, Cathedral Valley has towering monoliths and remote dirt-road drives that feel like visiting another planet — and if you’re interested, visit a nearby “planet” while you’re here: Mars on Earth.

Photo by piksik via Shutterstock.com

Staying at The Lodge makes it easy to tailor your trip; spend one day getting in your steps, and the next, cruising the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive with plenty of places for photos that your friends will think are AI-generated.

4. Best Lodging Near Capitol Reef for Day Trips and Adventures

Another reason this is the best place to stay near Capitol Reef National Park is its location. The Lodge is just minutes from the park entrance in Torrey, Utah, yet far enough from Highway 24 to ensure quiet nights. It also serves as an ideal base camp for exploring more of the area; Bryce Canyon, Goblin Valley State Park, Grand Staircase–Escalante, and even Moab’s Arches and Canyonlands are all accessible for easy day trips.

Whether you’re road-tripping Utah’s Mighty Five or making Capitol Reef your main focus, The Lodge offers the perfect blend of comfort, character, and convenience.

5. Plan Your Visit

Capitol Reef might be called “underrated,” but once you’ve been here, you’ll understand why so many visitors return year after year. It’s a park that rewards slowing down. Savor a pie in the shade of the orchard, watch shadows stretch across the cliffs at sunset, and stand in awe under a sky filled with more stars than you thought possible.

Make The Lodge at Red River Ranch your home base and see for yourself why Capitol Reef National Park is Utah’s most underrated national park.

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.

If you’ve ever watched a western, you’ve probably seen a sweeping wide shot of some lonely sandstone monoliths rising from the desert and scraping the sky. And most likely, you’ve seen a shot of Monument Valley. This location has become the de facto symbol for the American West – at least in film and television – featured in classics like Stagecoach, The Searchers, Once Upon a Time in the West, and lots and lots of others. If you want confirmation, check out Monument Valley’s IMDb page.

Considering that Monument Valley basically is the American West in millions of peoples’ minds, it’s no wonder that it is a popular place to visit. So if you want to star in your own western, here’s what to do when you make the journey to Monument Valley. (And here’s Monument Valley marked on Google Maps, so you don’t have to search too hard for it.)

Photo by Gautier Salles via unsplash.com

What To See When You Visit: Scenic Loop

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is located on the Arizona-Utah. The most famous monoliths in the park are the West and East Mitten Buttes. These lie just south of the border line, in Arizona. And while you can see these buttes from the visitors center – which should definitely be your first stop – to get a good look at them, we suggest you drive the Monument Valley scenic route. The scenic drive is a 17-mile loop which will take you past some of the best geological features in the park. There is a small fee of $20 to access the route. You can purchase tickets here.

Please be aware that a the time of this writing, there are restrictions to the number of people allowed on Navajo Tribal Land – currently 50% of normal operating capacity. So it pays to purchase your tickets far in advance. There are other COVID restrictions too. Please see the official site for more information.

Photo by Fudo Jahic via unsplash.com

What To See When You Visit: Antelope Canyon & Hiking

After you’ve driven the scenic loop, you will probably want to go hiking in this striking land. All of the official hikes in Monument Valley require a tribal guide. So you’ll need to schedule a hiking time via the official website. (We can’t stress this enough. Guides are mandatory. You will be in a lot of trouble if you attempt to hike alone.) In our opinion the best hike in the area is Antelope Canyon. It’s one of the most famous, most beautiful slot canyons in the American Southwest. Schedule a guide here. You will love it.

Photo by Robert Murray via unsplash.com

What’s Nearby?

After you’ve seen Monument Valley, the quintessential representation of the American West, you’ll probably want to visit some of the nearby attractions. You’ve driven all the way into the desert, after all. You should see what’s nearby.

Four Corners Monument Navajo Tribal Park is close, and it’s the only place in the United States where you can be in four states at once. Straddle the borders of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and, of course, Utah. There is a small fee of $5 to enter the park.

Or head to Natural Bridges National Monument by way of Mexican Hat and the Valley of the Gods. We can safely say that you won’t forget this amazing drive. Natural Bridges is a collection of three of the best and longest natural arches in the world.

We at the Lodge at Red River Ranch love finding new and exciting places to write about for this blog. Those places primally are in Southern Utah, since, you know, that’s where we are. But every so often we like to recommend destinations that are a little further afield, in case any of our guests are planning one heck of a roadtrip. We like to call these places Nearly Nearby Attractions. And it just so happens that we’ve know of a little place in Colorado that meets these requirements. It’s called the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and it’s pretty darn cool.

Photo by Vincent Ledvina via unsplash.com

How Nearby Are We Talking?

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in western Colorado, near the town of Montrose. (See it on a map here.) So it’s within easy driving distance of most places in Southern Utah. You can get there in about three and a half hours if you leave from Moab, Utah. And if you leave from Capitol Reef National Park, you can get there in under four and a half.

Photo by Vincent Ledvina via unsplash.com

Sounds Exciting, Tell Me More

There are lots and lots of spectacular canyons in the American West. Some are really famous – think the Grand Canyon – and some are barely noticed. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison isn’t particularly well known, even by residents of Utah or Colorado, so it kind of gets passed over. Which is a shame, because it just might be the most dramatic canyon in this country.

The park is a geological marvel. It contains the tallest sheer cliffs in the state of Colorado, measuring 2250 feet from rim to bottom. In fact, the canyon is so deep that, in certain places, daylight only reaches the bottom for 33 minutes a day. Hence the name, the Black Canyon. And you really need to see it in person to grasp it’s true depth and wonder. As author Duane Vandenbusche once said, “Several canyons of the American West are longer and some are deeper, but none combines the depth, sheerness, narrowness, darkness, and dread of the Black Canyon.”

Photo by Rich Martello via unsplash.com

Ok I’m Sold, What Do I Do Once I Get There?

It’s totally cool to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park just for the views. There’s a scenic drive on the South Rim, which should afford you plenty of good vistas. Be sure to stop at the South Rim Visitor Center, and walk out to Gunnison Point. But if you want your site-seeing to be a little more involved, there are a couple of really great trails that we like. You can get more trail descriptions here on the park’s website.

Exclamation Point – This hike is probably our favorite in the park. Take the North Vista Trail which starts at the North Rim Ranger Station and follow it through the pinyon forests until you get to the rim. There are several overlooks along the trail, so be sure to check them all out. But we think you’ll agree the best overlook is at Exclamation Point. The hike on the North Vista Trail to Exclamation Point is about three-miles roundtrip.

Chasm View Nature Trail – This short hike on the North Rim is perfect for casual hiking, since it’s less than half a mile roundtrip. You will emerge from a nice forest walk to the edge of the canyon. Walking along the rim for a short distance, you’ll come to another lookout point, with great views of Painted Wall and Serpent Point.

Additional Details

There’s an entrance fee of $25 to get into the park, which gives you seven days of access. There are also two campgrounds, one on the north side, and one on the south. If you have an RV, be sure to go to the south rim campground, there are no hook-ups on the north rim. You can reserve spots at the South Rim Campground at recreation.gov.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a spectacular national park, and in our opinion at least, well worth the extra drive it takes to get there from Southern Utah.

Photo by Nick Dunlap via unsplash.com

Every so often we at the Lodge like to suggest that you check out a location that might seem a little, well, out of the way. But we know that a lot of our guests are road trippin’ it, and they might like the idea of expanding their Southern Utah vacation with a little jaunt across the state line. So when we have a section of our blog for just such posts – Nearly Nearby Attractions. And this time, we’re highlighting Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Photo the John Fowler via unsplash.com

That Sounds Familiar…

You’ve probably heard of Vermilion Cliffs before, and probably in the context of the very famous geographical feature that it contains – the Wave. We’ll talk about that in a second, but first a little general information: The national monument is located just south of the Utah border, in Arizona. It protects some really cool, and really remote desert scenery, places like Coyote Gulch and Paria Canyon. The area is serviced by the town of Kanab, so you’ll need to gas up and stock up there. (In fact, even though there is primitive camping available in the monument, we recommend that you stay in Kanab.) There is no fee to enter Vermilion Cliffs, but there also isn’t a visitor center. And services are limited. But there are plenty of stunning views!

The Wave. Photo the Gert Boers via unsplash.com

The Wave

You’ve seen pictures of this before. It’s a favorite spot for outdoor enthusiasts and social media influencers alike. It’s extremely cool, and everybody wants to see it in person. But unfortunately, that kind of traffic would destroy the site, so the Bureau of Land Management, which manages the monument, has set up a daily-visitor lottery system to limit tourist damage. (We’ve talked about this issue before.) There is an online lottery, and an in-person lottery. We highly recommend that you do the in-person lottery, because you will have much less competition. (Around 200 people, versus everybody in the world.) You’ll need to show up to the BLM office in Kanab. (Which is why you should stay in town, then you can try for the permit everyday that you’re there.) Here’ s the address of the BLM office. Be there by 8:30am.

745 East Highway 89 Kanab Utah
(across from the Wendy’s and gas station)

Also here’s the link to the online lottery. You could always try your luck, somebody’s got to win, right? If you get the permit, go see the Wave! It’s awesome. However, it’s only one of the cool things that you can find at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. So let’s talk about what else you’ll want to see.

White Pocket. Photo the John Fowler via unsplash.com

White Pocket

Our favorite spot in the monument is actually White Pocket. It’s a lot like the Wave, but a little rougher and has some white sandstone mixed it. (Hence the name.) But you can visit without a permit. And hardly anybody goes there. However, it can be tricky to find, and you will need a high-clearance vehicle to get to the parking area. So get a good map and bring the Jeep.

Vermilion Cliffs

There are a lot of arches and natural bridges in the monument. Wrather Arch is one of the longest (and hardest to get to) arches in the United States, but the overlook is pretty cool. Vermilion Arch is set high up in the cliffs, and the path is strenuous and tricky, but it can be worth the hike. And Double Barrel Arch is spectacular, and is also a much easier hike, only two miles, in and out. So when you’re in the monument, maybe think about doing a tour of some of the arches set in those Vermilion Cliffs.

Near Buckskin Gulch. Photo the Joshua Gresham via unsplash.com

And More…

Of course there’s more to see in this amazing monument. Luckily we’ve covered a bit of it before, so check out our write up on Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch. And next time you’re vacationing in Southern Utah, consider hopping across the border to see Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

Being Utah residents, we at the Lodge at Red River Ranch usually write about the attractions that are found in Southern Utah. But, of course, every state has its own collection of amazing locations. And since, in nature, there are no state lines, we’ve added a special section to our blog – “Nearly Nearby Attractions.”

Everyone in the United States (and in most places in the world) knows about the Grand Canyon. We at Lodge want to encourage you to visit this wonder of the world. Even if you have to add it onto your Southern Utah adventure. So, to help encourage you, we’ve come up with some suggestions about what to see on your trip to Grand Canyon National Park.

Photo by Hugo Soons G via unsplash.com

The South Side

Most people visit the south side of the Grand Canyon. (Probably because they fly to Phoenix or drive in from California.) The south side has a lot of scenic overlooks and hiking trails to explore. Check these ones out:

South Kaibab Trail – provides the best views of any short hike. It is well maintained but steep in spots. Water is not available along the trail and there is little shade.

Bright Angel Trail – this is a popular trail for day hikers. It offers shade in some spots, and water is usually available at drinking fountains. Also well maintained.

The Rim Trail– a fairly easy hiking with few elevation changes. It does not enter the canyon, but provides some amazing views.

Photo by Jennifer Rogalla via unsplash.com

The North Side

If you’re coming down from Southern Utah, you’ll probably end up on the north side of the canyon. It’s a bit less popular and a bit more rugged. If you want more of a “backcountry” feel to their Grand Canyon experience, opt for the north side. Of course, there are plenty of hikes on both sides. Check these ones out on the north side:

North Kaibab Trail – the overlooks are perfect “mile markers” for day hikes of various lengths. Supai Tunnel is 1.8 miles down and is definitely worth checking out. Roaring Springs is only a few more miles down the trail.

Widforss Point Overlook Trail– this scenic route is about 10 miles round trip. It’s well-maintained and has shade in some areas. It’s an excellent hike, but is best suited for more advanced hikers.

When you visit the Grand Canyon, on either the north or south side, be sure to stop by one of the many visitor centers. You’ll want to not just for up-to-date trail information and weather conditions, but also because there is a lot of cool educational content to absorb. Visit the official site here to start planning your trip to this so-close-to-Southern-Utah-we-had-to-write-about-it national park! Enjoy!

Seeing as how we at the Lodge live in Southern Utah, we typically write about Southern Utah stuff in this blog. But since natural geography only sometimes contributes to the formation of political boundaries, there are a lot of cool places in the surrounding states. So some of the locations that we want to talk about might be just over the border in Arizona, Nevada, or in today’s case, Colorado. So let’s talk about the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness and Rattlesnake Canyon.

Black Ridges Canyon Wilderness. Photo by Matt McGrath Black via Wikimedia Commons.

The What Now?

The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness is a region of Western Colorado that just barely makes its way into Utah. If you can image driving east from Moab, Utah to Grand Junction, Colorado, then you’ve got a pretty good idea of where it is. The wilderness area protects seven canyons that dissect the Colorado Plateau. The rivers of these canyons all empty into the mighty Colorado River, and, along the way, they create some pretty remarkable scenery. Our favorite of the seven canyons is Rattlesnake Canyon

Unknown, Undeveloped, and Under-appreciated

Rattlesnake Canyon has the second-highest concentration of natural arches in the world. The only other place on earth with a higher concentration is Arches National Park. But since Rattlesnake Canyon isn’t a national park, and doesn’t have the same amount of development, nobody really knows about it. So here are a couple of suggestions to help you explore Rattlesnake Canyon and the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness area in general

Cedar Tree Arch. Photo by Pretzelpaws via Wikimedia Commons.

How To Explore Rattlesnake Canyon

• You can get to the more accessible part of Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness via Highway 340, from Fruita, Colorado. But to get to Rattlesnake Canyon you’ll need to enter what’s known as the High Country via Glade Park, Colorado. Here it is mapped.
• Have we mentioned that the area is undeveloped? You’ll need to take a high-clearance, four wheel-drive vehicle on these primitive roads. Also keep in mind that the roads are closed seasonally.
• Once you get there, hike the Rattlesnake Canyon Arches trail, you’ll get to see all the best that the canyon has to offer. Including the majestic Cedar Tree Arch. Trail details here.