Capitol Reef National Park is certainly one of the best places you can visit in Utah, but this smaller park offers a different take on photography compared to its Mighty 5 siblings. None of the other bigger parks have an iconic wooden barn pre-loaded with an incredible backdrop, an orchard for picking fruits or a quaint wooden schoolhouse.
In this guide, we’ll cover the 10 best photo spots in Fruita because this is where most visitors spend their time in the park. You can easily visit all of our recommended locations in just a few hours.
2024 Update: Unfortunately, the scenic drive in Fruita will be closed in summer 2024 for improvements. Plan to arrive for Hickman Bridge and Grand Wash trail early in the day to beat the crowds. Plan for congestion and click here to see the official progress.
Our Capitol Reef Photography Experience
We first visited Capitol Reef in October 2019 as part of a three month US road trip. During our visit, we spent one amazing day photographing the vibrant fall colors in this smaller park. However, the one mistake we made was not giving ourselves enough time because we had a jammed packed Utah road trip itinerary.
We expected amazing photo ops at the bigger name parks, which made photography at Capitol Reef National Park a welcome surprise package. At this time, we were still using our beginner level Sony a6000, but all the photos in this guide have been taken by us. Since our visit, we have seriously upgraded our camera equipment so we hope to return in the future to recapture this stunning national park. Read more about us.
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10 Best Photography Spots In Fruita
There are three main regions of Capitol Reef National Park including the historic Fruita District, Cathedral Valley and the Waterpocket Fold. But most visitors spend their time in the Fruita District because this is the most accessible region of the park.
It’s located along Highway 24 which is directly part of the Mighty 5 circuit. And the good news is you can easily visit most of these photography locations in one day because they are very close together. We’ve littered this guide with photos so you know exactly what to expect.
Without further ado, here are the best photography spots in the Fruita District of Capitol Reef:
1. Main Entrance
The National Park entrance sign is one of the easiest photo spots on our list and it’s often the first stopping point for visitors. This exact sign is located on the west entrance of the park near Torrey which is how we entered the park. There is a small lot where you can safely park to snap this photo which isn’t always the case in US national parks so if you can’t safely take a photo at other entrances, we’d recommend skipping it.
After snapping a photo with the Capitol Reef entrance sign, make your way to the visitor center. We always like to start any national park trip with a stop at the visitor center because you’ll find tons of information to help you make the most of your visit. Here you can pick up a park map or ask a ranger any questions you may have about the park.
Be sure to look for seasonal programs or special events to learn about the park’s history. Year-round programs include the Geology Talk which last about 30 minutes and the Junior Ranger Program. You can see more information on the official website here.
READ: National Parks Passport
You should definitely plan to spend a little bit of time checking out the visitor center to learn more about the region, especially if you’ve never visited before. There are multiple exhibits explaining the unique geology and how it was created.
As you leave the visitor center, it’s hard to miss all of the gorgeous views right in front of you. We always like to joke that when there is a great view directly next to the visitor center, you know you’re in Utah!
READ: America the Beautiful Pass
2. Goosenecks Overlook And Sunset Point
The next stop on our photography guide is a quick and easy hike to Goosenecks. This small trail showcases an area of Sulphur Creek winding its way through a beautiful gorge that has eroded over thousands of years.
The Goosenecks Trail is 0.2 miles round trip and the viewpoint is right along the edge of the cliff featuring white rim sandstone, Moenkopi formations as well as Kaibab limestone. There are guard rails to keep you from falling, but there is a large drop off.
Travel Tip: As you hike through Capitol Reef, take note of the various information boards scattered throughout the park. You can learn so much about Utah’s incredible geology just by reading these boards.
Sunset Point is another great photo location because this is where you can see the Waterpocket Fold. The formations along this fold extend for almost 100 miles and it’s here you can truly appreciate the vastness of this park.
However, it’s important to note, that while Sunset Point shares a parking lot with Goosenecks Overlook, they are not accessed from the same trailhead. So make sure you use the marked trail on the left side of the parking area. Sunset Point is 0.8 miles round trip with no shade so plan accordingly.
We think Sunset Point is the best spot for sunset if you’re staying at a hotel near Capitol Reef because you can enjoy the views and then drive the short way to your accommodation.
READ: Best things to do in Capitol Reef
3. Gifford Homestead
The historic Gifford House is one of the most picturesque locations in Capitol Reef. It originally belonged to the last residents of Fruita before selling to the US Government in 1969. Today, it’s now a café, museum and gift shop right in the heart of Fruita Valley.
One of the highlights of the Gifford House are the delicious homemade pies. But unfortunately, the pies were all sold out by the time we arrived later in the afternoon. So if you want a pie, we recommend arriving early in the day.
Today, the Gifford Homestead has been converted into a Natural History Association sales outlet. You can find reproductions of household tools and utensils Mormon pioneers used daily. In addition to pies, you can also purchase books, postcards, jams, jellies and homemade ice cream.
If you explore the area around the Gifford House, you’ll find a beautiful ornate wooden wagon. This makes a beautoful photo spot in Fruita with the Gifford Home in the background.
It’s also common to see deer feeding among the apple orchards close to the Gifford Homestead so keep your eyes open.
Here’s a close up shot of a fawn enjoying a meal in the beautifully manicured orchards in the park. Please just remember to keep a safe distance from all animals during your visit.
For those who love history, we recommend you make your way towards the Fruita Barn. There is a plaque explaining the recent history on the front of the Fruita Barn. This large structure is now part of the Gifford Homestead, but was originally built by Calvin Pendleton so it’s also known as the Pendleton Barn.
5. Fruita Barn
The Fruita Barn is the best photo location in Capitol Reef. It was one of the main reasons we made the extra effort to drive out to this smaller national park and oh boy, it did not disappoint.
The unique backdrop with huge red rocks is absolutely stunning and there was barely anyone else around even though our photo was taken mid-day. Smaller crowds is just one of the reasons why why October is a fantastic time to visit the park.
Once you snap a photo of the Fruita barn from close up, get creative about your angles. This next photograph is taken from further afar, at the beginning of the Cohab Canyon Trail. We could have easily spent days taking photos of the Fruita Barn and it was difficult to pull ourselves away.
Next up, we have a different take on the Fruita Barn for you. This Capitol Reef photography spot is a closer up shot, but it’s certainly a good one. There is plenty of space to work with to find interesting and new perspectives. Try getting creative with your photography. This one is simple but we think it’s very effective.
READ: Badlands National Park photography guide
6. Fruita Schoolhouse
Another one of our favorite photo spots is the Fruita Schoolhouse. The rusty orange yellow and deep green colors surrounding the wooden building were absolutely stunning during the fall season, but we imagine it’s a pretty sight any time of the year.
You’ll find traditional wooden desks with chalk and blackboards inside the old communal schoolhouse. Ranger led programs are often held here and one was in session during the time of our visit.
We loved the bright yellow colors against the red rocks and brown trees. The colors here just took our breathe away.
Don’t you agree this looks like it could be a portal to a new land straight out of a fantasy novel?! Maybe Narnia on the other side? We had this entire place to ourselves and enjoyed every second. It was a photographers dream!
If you make your way to the front of Fruita Schoolhouse, you can get a better perspective of the area and those stunning fall colors.
If you’re interested in learning about the Fruita schoolhouse history, be sure to read the various informational boards in the area. Photographers will love looking at the old photos of those who once lived here.
Although Capitol Reef’s rock formations are far less impressive than its Utah family members, it doesn’t mean there are no cool features here. This photo depicts the grandeur of this rock face perfectly and the lifeless tree draws the eye, right? The large towering red walls command attention almost anywhere you look.
7. Fremont Petroglyphs
One of the most unique photography locations in Capitol Reef is the Fremont Petroglyphs Panel. These images are easy to see from a wooden boardwalk and make a great stop for kids. The people of the Fremont Culture lived in Utah from 300 to 1300 Common Era (CE) and these are some of the only remaining images of their time.
Travel Tip: Bring a pair of binoculars to view the petroglyphs close up from the boardwalk.
The Fremont River runs right through the park. When surrounded by red rocks and colorful leaves we couldn’t resist pulling the camera out. This photo spot is accessible when you park for the petroglyphs.
8. Hickman Bridge
The Hickman Bridge hiking trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in Capitol Reef and it features a natural photo spot. At just 1.8 miles roundtrip with several interesting rock features along the way, it’s perfect for the entire family to enjoy.
The path is easy to navigate with brown wooden signs posted to help you find the way. Depending on the time of year, you may need to keep an eye open for hazardous trail conditions. As you walk the trail, be sure to take note of the very interesting erosion and weather patterns scattered in the area.
Test our your photography skills by achieving different angles of Hickman Bridge. You’ll be surprised how large the natural stone bridge is when you see it for the first time.
The trail splits here for Hickman Bridge or Rim Overlook as well as Navajo Knobs. If you have spare time, head up to the Rim Overlook after Hickman Bridge for panoramic views of Fruita.
READ: Top recommended hiking apps
As you walk back to the parking lot, you’ll pass the Fremont River. This photo was taken close to the beginning of the Hickman Bridge Trail with the Fremont River in the background.
9. Park Signs
Throughout the park, you’ll notice various signs pointing to rock formations in the distance. Two popular formations include the Castle and Capitol Dome. We’ll show you exactly where to find them.
Located near the visitor center, the Castle is named because it resembles a hilltop fortress. From this angle, you can get a great shot of the rock layering between the tip and bottom.
Neat the Hickman Bridge and Rim Trail Overlook trailhead, you’ll see this stone sign pointing to Capitol Dome. If you didn’t already know, Capitol Reef received it’s name because early settlers thought the white stone domes resembles the Capitol building in Washington DC.
So it’s only fitting that you try to snap this photo of Capitol Dome to remember your trip.
READ: Day hike packing checklist
10. Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
One of the best aspects of photography inside Capitol Reef is the solitude. Compared to the other Utah parks, it was like a ghost town. We didn’t have to rush this photo and it perfectly shows the vibrant fall foliage contrasting against the red rocks.
This signpost indicates the 20 mile paved scenic drive in Capitol Reef. It’s just another example of how everything is quaint and pretty inside this park, even the road signs.
Last but not least, there are numerous places where you can find a great backdrop for taking a photo of your road trip vehicle. We liked the separate foreground and background rock formations on this one. Please just keep an eye our for other visitors when taking a photo of your car.
READ: Road trip packing list
Surprise Sunset On Highway 12
We were lucky to witness a fantastic sunset as we drove out of the park and it’s been one we always talk about. For this trip, we decided to drive Highway 12 between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Park.
So that night, we enjoyed the views over Larb Hollow Overlook. The photo from above was taken from Scenic Highway 12 towards Escalante and Bryce Canyon. It looks like a flaming phoenix! The deep red colors were mind blowing and the pictures don’t do it justice.
Definitely got a little carried away with aperture here. Probably should have opened up to f11 but we loved the huge sunburst at f16.
The sunset on Highway 12 was far too awe inspiring to watch from the inside of the car, so we parked up and watched the whole event on the edge of a cliff.
More Utah Road Trips
If you’re visiting Capitol Reef, there’s a good chance you’re on a road trip. Below you can find more resources to help you explore the American Southwest:
- Utah Road Trip Ideas – 10 amazing Utah road trip itineraries
- Zion to Bryce Canyon – Two amazing parks in three days
- Arches and Canyonlands – Best itinerary for visiting both parks in one day
- Coral Prink Sand Dunes – A popular Utah park for sand boarding
- National park quotes – Inspirational captions for your next trip
The Morgan Conclusion
Capitol Reef is a smaller less visited national park and we think it’s severely underrated. We like this park because you can visit the popular Fruita District in just a few hours if you’re short on time. It’s also a great park to visit with kids because many of the hiking trails are easy and short.
For those hoping to snap some great photos, we recommend starting with the Fruita Barn, Gifford House and the scenic drive. Then add in the hikes to Hickman Bridge and Sunset Point.
Personally, we preferred visiting Capitol Reef over Monument Valley because it was less crowded and we were granted free entry with our National Park Pass. However, both spots are incredibly scenic so if you’re into photography, it might be worth adding both Capitol Reef and Monument Valley into your itnerary.
More Photography Guides
- Photography tips for visiting Delicate Arch
- Best photo locations in Bryce Canyon
- A detailed guide to Mesa Arch sunrise
- Photography guide for Badlands National Park
- Sunrise and sunset photos spots at South Rim
- Guide to Yosemite photography locations
- The best photos spots in NYC
More US Hiking Guides
- Amazing things to do in Utah
- Best things to do in Capitol Reef
- Guide to finding the best 3 hikes in Arches
- Best hikes at Badlands National Park
- Epic Grand Canyon South Rim hikes
- Cool hikes at Mt Rainier National Park
- Guide to Sedona Arizona’s 20 best hikes
- Cool hikes you need to experience in Zion
Want more Utah content? Head over to our Utah Travel Guides to explore the Mighty Five National Parks and beyond.
We hope our photography guide to Capitol Reef helps with planning your visit to this underrated Utah National Park!
Please let us know if you have any questions about these photography spots or traveling through Utah in the comments below.
Happy Travels,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.
Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us.
Excellent! I was there last year and you have done an outstanding job capturing the beauty of this place and its unique features. Well done!
Thank you, Randy! Capitol Reef is a hugely underrated Utah park, we’ll be sure to revisit in the near future. Happy travels!