Capitol Reef National Park

60mi/100km west of Canyonlands National Park is the Capitol Reef, a reef-like wall of banded sandstone rising above the Fremont River. It is the most impressive section of the Waterpocket Fold, which strikes north-south for some 100mi/160km. This geological flexure (an S-shaped fold of the strata) is the largest of its kind in the United States, with a variety of bizarre rock formations and chimneys carved out by erosion. Round the Capitol Reef and Fremont River there are remains (rock paintings, etc.) of the Indian Fremont culture. In the 19th century Mormons laid out a fertile garden landscape round the township of Fruita. The Capitol Reef National Park, with an area of 375sq.mi/972sq.km, was established in 1971.

Though the park is administered from the town of Torrey, most of its area is contained in Garfield County.