Capitol Reef Photography: Utah's Mighty 5 Surprise Package

Capitol Reef National Park offers a different take on photography to its ‘Mighty 5’ siblings.

It is true Canyonlands, Arches, Zion and Bryce Canyon are blessed with stunning rock formations that Capitol Reef can’t compete with.

However, none of the others have an iconic barn pre-loaded with an incredible backdrop, beautifully colorful trees in fall or a quaint wooden schoolhouse!

We expected amazing photo ops at the bigger name parks, which made photography at Capitol Reef a welcome surprise package.

We hope our favorite images will inspire you to visit this underrated National Park!

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Table of Contents show

Capitol Reef Entrance & Visitor Center

Capitol Reef national part entrance brick and symbol

The National Park entrance sign is the first stopping point at any park in America! Capitol Reef’s has an awesome background with towering rocks as far as the eye can see.

Visitor Centers are the best place to start the day, check out any Ranger led programs and learn about Capitol Reef’s history.

Capitol Reef welcome center with rock behind

When there is a great view right next to the visitor center – you know you’re in Utah!

Mark and kristen leaning against Capitol Reef entrance sign Utah

We always make sure we grab a quick photograph of ourselves next to / on top of / underneath each national park sign!

Keep any eye our for any information boards which offer history of Capital reef and activities in the area.

Gooseneck & Sunset Points

Mark and kristen at sunset point Capitol Reef photography

We left the tripod in the car at Sunset and had to set the set the camera on a rock. This is the place to be at the end of the day if staying in Capital Reef!

Gooseneck point information board with rock backdrop

We try to read as much information as possible in the National Parks as there is always so much to learn.

The geology in Utah is fascinating, just check out the views into the canyon!

Kristen sat on dead tree in dusty Capitol Reef photography

Kristen found the perfect spot to take a breather from the relentless desert heat.

Mark accentuating a lookout pose sunset point capitol reef photography

And Mark couldn’t get enough of these amazing views!

Need help planning your visit to Capitol Reef? Don’t miss our complete guide to Capitol Reef National Park.

Gifford Homestead

Old Mormon Gifford House Capitol Reef photography

The Historic Gifford House belonged to the last residents of Fruita before selling to the US Government in 1969. It is now a café, museum and gift shop. Be sure to arrive early before they sell out of delicious homemade pies!

Old green wagon with iron wheels Gifford homestead

We loved the ornate old wagon with wooden wheels, previously used for hauling hay!

It is also common to see deer feeding among the apple orchards close to the Gifford Homestead.

Here is a close up shot of a fawn munching on grass!

There is also a plaque explaining the recent history of the Fruita Barn.

Fruita Barn: The Best Capitol Reef Photography

Fruita barn up close and front perspective

This barn was one of the main reasons we made the extra effort to drive out to Capitol Reef and it did not disappoint! The unique backdrop with huge red rocks is absolutely stunning and there was barely anyone else around (keep in mind, we took this photo mid-day)!

Wide shot of fruita barn from afar Capitol Reef

Taken from further afar, at the beginning of the Cohab Canyon Trail.

Iconic fruita barn photo with red rock background Utah

Followed by a closer up photo of the famous barn – one of our favorites!

Gifford homestead barn Utah through fence shot

There is plenty of space to work with to find some interesting perspectives. Get creative with your photography! This one is simple but we think it is very effective.

If you’re enjoying these photos, don’t forget you can check out our Badlands National Park Photography from South Dakota too!

Fruita Schoolhouse & Surrounding Area

Wooden building fruita communal schoolhouse Capitol Reef Utah

One of our favorite’s from Capitol Reef! The rusty orangey yellow and deep green colors surrounding the wooden building are gorgeous!

Old wooden desks inside fruita schoolhouse Capitol Reef

Traditional wooden desks with chalk and blackboard inside the old communal schoolhouse. Ranger led programs are often held here.

Bare tree surrounded by gorgeous colorful vegetation Utah

We loved the bright yellow colors against the red rocks and brown trees. The colors here just took our breathe away.

Tree with stunning yellow leaves in Capitol Reef

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.

Side angle shot of fruita schoolhouse yellow and green trees

The front of Fruita Schoolhouse, a better perspective of the area and those awesome colors.

sign showing history of fruita schoolhouse capitol reef

If you are interested in learning about the Fruita schoolhouse history, be sure to read the boards in the area!

Towering red rock face with yellow plants and trees

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?

Petroglyphs near fruita schoolhouse Capitol Reef photography

The Fremont petroglyphs are easy to see and great for kids. Interesting how they all look like they should be in a sci-fi movie.

signpost Fremont River Utah capitol reef

The Fremont River runs right through the park. When surrounded by red rocks and colorful leaves we couldn’t resist pulling the camera out!

Hickman Bridge Hike

Hickman bridge from afar with Kristen stood underneath

The Natural Bridge on the Hickman Bridge hiking trail is the highlight of Capitol Reef. At just 1.8 miles roundtrip and with some interesting rock features along the way, it’s perfect for the family. Kristen is the tiny red blob underneath the arch.

Kristen crouched inside rock crevice Hickman bridge hike

One of the strange but interesting erosion/weathering features along the trail. It looks perfect for small animals to shelter in heavy rain!

Kristen sat on wall next to Fremont River

The photo was taken close to the beginning of the Hickman Bridge Trail with the Fremont River in the background.

Mark inside rock crevice looks like a birds mouth Capitol Reef

Mark trying to climb inside all the rock openings. There are so many fun obstacles along this trail.

Mark messing around in a pretend pose inside cool rock formations at Capitol Reef

And we have no words for this one!

hiking distances signpost on Hickman bridge trail

The trail splits here for Hickman Bridge or Rim Overlook / Navajo Knobs. If you have spare time, head up to the rim overlook after Hickman Bridge for panoramic views of Fruita.

Kristen looking contemplative underneath Hickman bridge Utah

Kristen chilling at the top of Hickman Bridge Trail and looking rather ponderous!

Mark balancing on a ledge underneath Hickman bridge

It might look as though Mark is performing a poor attempt at a Michael Jackson Smooth Criminal lean … but the drop behind was enough to overcompensate!

Other Trailheads and Signs

The Castle is named so because it resembles a hilltop fortress from an angle closer to the visitor center. From this angle, it’s a great shot of the rock layering between the tip and bottom.

This sign is close to the Hickman Bridge / Rim Trail Overlook trailhead. The National Park is named Capitol Reef because settlers thought the white stone domes resembles the Capitol building in Washington DC.

The Cohab Canyon trailhead starts right off the road as it bends around Fruita Barn before the campsite and scenic drive. There are some fun switchbacks on extremely narrow paths!

Capitol Reef Scenic Drive

Empty open road with green orange and yellow leaves both sides

One of the best aspects of photography inside Capitol Reef? The solitude. Compared to the other Utah parks, this was like a ghost town. We didn’t have to rush this photo! Just another one to show the bright colors.

Scenic drive signpost on a tree Capitol Reef

Scenic Drive signpost to explain that you will need to come back on yourself. Everything is quaint and pretty at Capitol Reef, even the signs!

Front side view of our car at Capitol Reef with red rocks behind

Getting a photo of your car with a cool background is harder than you might think! Most places you stop but can’t a clear shot without interference. We liked the separate foreground and background rock formations on this one.

Sunset Highway 12

Incredible sunset phoenix on fire stunning near Capitol Reef

We were lucky to witness a fantastic sunset as we drove out of Capitol Reef. This was taken from Scenic Highway 12 towards Escalante and Bryce Canyon. It looks like a flaming phoenix! The deep red colors were mind blowing.

our car at sunset with sunburst near Capitol Reef highway 12

Definitely got a little carried away with aperture here! Probably should have opened up to f11 but we loved the huge sunburst at f16!

Mark taking photographs of the amazing sunset

Mark with the Sony A-6000, the camera got a workout throughout that incredible sunset!

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.

Capitol Reef Photography: Utah’s Mighty 5 Surprise Package