#capitolreefnationalpark — Blog — Just Keep Running Blog

Happy Friday-eve! Does anyone ever have those days where your hair is completely unruly and you are SO CLOSE to chopping it off?

Yeah… that was me the other day. It’s at this length where it’s in-between short and long and just not the most flattering (I think). I want to grow it out, but I also just really want to stop feeling like I look like a boy with long hair…

Anyways, we’re almost to the weekend! I really wish we had some pumpkin patches near us here in Steamboat, but I guess I’ll have to settle for one at Safeway. I’m also thinking of doing a really cool pumpkin carving this year. Thinking either this one or this one. Do you carve pumpkins? If you do - do you use one of the stencils or freehand it?

I’ve got 7-8 easy miles on tap with some strides at the end this morning and hoping to fit in some strength either before my run or tonight. It’s always ten times harder to get my strength in after work for whatever reason- anyone else feel this way?

NOW- let’s get to our Capitol Reef National Park Recap!

Here’s some quick things that I took away from the park:

Fall was in full-force here and I LOVED it!

Backpacking- super easy to find a spot and you can grab a wilderness permit once you arrive to the park. Unless the weather is bad, I think this is a great idea (we didn’t do this since we had Stella with us)
Running- sooo many trailheads close to the Fruita Campground and even the scenic drive is a great place to run. I fit my run in on both the trail that runs parallel to the scenic drive and on the road early Sunday morning (so traffic was minimal). It was so beautiful and peaceful.
Hiking- same thing goes for hiking as it did for running. So many easily accessible trails right from the campground OR you can drive to so many great hikes. Always remember to be prepared for your hike with adequate water, sunscreen, a hat, and know the weather.
Driving- We did the scenic drive and also the Washburn side drive (it’s a dirt road with a few rocky sections), both of which were spectacular. We also drove into the park from the west and left the park from the east, so we did get to see A LOT of the park. There are plenty of side trips that we could have done (had we had more time).
Food/Gas/Lodging- There really isn’t much inside the park, but I definitely recommend stopping at the Gifford House for some fresh pie! It’s directly next to the Fruita Campground so easy 5 minute walk. We got there around 8:15 Sunday morning and the pies were still warm (and there was a relatively long line). They’re a bit pricey ($6 per pie), but totally worth it. Hot, fresh pie for breakfast? Yes, please! The town of Torrey is to the west of the visitors center and gas/ food/ some lodging is maybe a 10 minute drive? It’s super close and convenient if you forget something.
Orchards- I saw over FIVE orchards in the valley of the park (by the visitors center/ campground/ museum). We had just missed the apple picking season (by 2.5 weeks), but it really makes me want to come back and take advantage of the harvesting season. They have walnut, apple, pear, almond, and peach trees.

OVERALL takeaway - We will definitely be back. The history is amazing here (we came across the arch where Butch Cassidy hid!) and the overall accessibility is amazing. Pretty easy to bring your furry friends too (if you don’t want to go hiking), since the trail to/from the visitors center is dog-friendly. It may be the least popular of Utah’s Big Five National Parks too, so that’s more incentive to visit!