What are the best things to see in a day at Capitol Reef?

[rock_ski_cowboy]

I've never been to Capitol Reef!

I'm thinking about driving down to Capitol Reef Saturday morning with a friend or three, staying all day, cooking some dutch oven in the evening and then rolling back to Happy Valley Saturday night late.

What are the "must see" things at Capitol Reef. I like canyon hiking; swimming, etc. But also like a good hike with a view.

Is there a picnic area with firepits where I could cook with the Dutch Ovens?

Ben

[Scott P]

What part? Capitol Reef is long.

I would guess that the two best hikes are Upper Muley Twist, Halls Creek Narrows, and the Burrow/Cottonwood/Fivemile trio.

[rock_ski_cowboy]

I'm talking about being a tourist here. Not necessarily getting into the backcountry like I usually do. We'll probably just go to the VC and start from there.

[Iceaxe]

Capitol Reef is my favorite National Park. Awesome tourist campgrounds and picnic area.

Hickman Bridge is the most popular hike/attraction in the park.... and for good reason.

Hickman
http://climb-utah.com/Capitol/hickman.htm

I also rate Sulpher Creek very high

Sulphur Creek
http://climb-utah.com/Capitol/sulphur.htm

[stefan]

cohab canyon/cassidy arch is a great hike. my first southern utah hike when i was a kid ... got me hooked.

rim overlook and navajo knobs is a great area too, wonderful vistas and such.

course there's plenty of other hikes and places to visit near the visitor center.

[Scott P]

Top picks for this time of year:

Lower Spring Canyon
Navajo Knobs (passes Hickman)
Cassidy Arch
Just outside the park: Happy Valley Waterfalls

If it's not too cool, Suphur Creek is good. May be pretty wet now.

[Iceaxe]

What/where is happy Valley Waterfalls?

[TreeHugger]

I second the Cohab Canyon - Frying Pan - Cassidy Arch trail. Here are some pics:
http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6049
It was one of the best hikes I've ever done! Go early, then when you get back, drive through the park, see the petroglyphs, site see, etc. before dinner. I think this hike has it all. Gorgeous!

[Scott P]

where is happy Valley Waterfalls?

At Happy Valley of course. That's why they are called the Happy Valley Waterfalls.

Anyway, teasing aside, Happy Valley is just south of Capitol Reef and off Highway 12.

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...ad27&layer=DRG

You can drive a 4wd track into Happy Valley, but the best way to see the waterfalls along the way is to stop at the Single Tree Campground (1st campground south of Capitol Reef along highway 12 towards Boulder Mountain and take the trail from there.

The waterfalls are pretty neat (but don't expect another Calf Creek) not far from the trail (they are actually off trail a bit), but you can find more waterfalls if you explore around.

The valley itself is a pretty neat place with some old hostoric cabins. There are a few special surprises in the area surrounding valley if you look for them, but I'll let people find them on their own.

[brettyb]

All the hikes around the Visitor Center are good. We've always been particularly partial to Chimney Rock.