Plan Your Trip

The park’s Scenic Drive, which leads to the field station, is under construction. It is closed to the public but open for field station visitors. As a result you cannot use Google Maps for directions. Use the written directions found at the bottom of this page. There is no cell service or internet once you leave Torrey, so we recommend downloading driving directions before you leave town. Contact for the most up-to-date information.

In an emergency, call:

Cinimin Kofford  801-995-2520



 

 

 

 

 

Appropriate Uses

Includes but is not limited to:

  • University courses from across the curriculum that capitalize on aspects of the park and the region.
  • Multiple-week UVU summer field courses.
  • Field trips and natural history excursions.
  • Park-approved research.
  • Recertification and in-service natural history courses for K-12 instructors.
  • Workshops—photography, bird-watching, geology, etc.

Trip Leaders (Faculty and Staff)

Only Faculty and Staff members may make reservations for CRFS.

For information on planning a trip to CRFS including the reservation request form, a budget planning spreadsheet, and instructions for the reservation process click below:

Reservation Request Deadlines

  • Spring (January - April) - August 1
  • Summer (May - August) - October 1
  • Fall (September - December) - February 1

After reservation deadlines, requests are reviewed on a first come, first served basis.

Plan Your Visit

Waiver

Liability release form

Waiver

What To Bring

For a general list of what to bring when visiting the Capitol Reef Field Station

Packing List

Frequently Asked Questions

For answers to frequently asked questions about visiting the Capitol Reef Field Station.

FAQ

CRFS Calendar

Directions / Map

  1. Travel on I-15 South
  2. Take exit 188, to US-50/Scipio.
  3. Turn left at top of exit ramp and continue through Scipio following signs to remain on US-50.- about 25 miles
  4. Turn right on UT-260 towards Aurora.
  5. Continue through Aurora (stay left at the fork in the road as you're leaving Aurora) until reaching a stop sign. - about 4.5 miles
  6. Turn right on UT-24. Continue underneath I-70 and go about 3 miles.
  7. Turn left where UT-24 continues towards Fish Lake and Capitol Reef National Park, passing through the town of Sigurd.
  8. Stay on UT-24 through the towns of Loa, Lyman, Bicknell, and Torrey (last town before park) until you see signs for the Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center - about 70 miles.
  9. Turn right onto Scenic Drive at the Visitor Center and go about 8 miles. You'll continue past the campground, self-service fee station (your CRFS user fees cover the entrance fee), and past Grand Wash until you see a fork in the road. To the left is Capitol Gorge and to the right is a dirt road leading to Pleasant Creek.
  10. Veer right at the fork towards Pleasant Creek.
  11. Cross the dry wash and continue 2.5 miles on the dirt road until you see another fork in the road.
  12. Veer left at the fork at the sign for Capitol Reef Field Station. The station is up at the top of the mesa. You can park underneath the solar panels.

Please check with the Site Manager regarding road conditions as the road may be impassable, depending on the weather.

The Scenic Drive fee is waived for CRFS visitors. Just continue south.

For directions with pictures, click here.