Cathedral Valley - Capitol Reef National Park, Utah - Scenic Geological Feature

Cathedral Valley is a scenic feature at Capitol Reef National Park eight miles from the town of Torrey in Utah. Highway 24 cuts through the mid-section of the park and is the primary access route. The park is open 24 hours a day throughout the year and is approximately 144 miles from Moab and 230 miles from Salt Lake City.

Capitol Reef National Park is a popular place for hikers, campers and climbers to visit, and is characterized by its sandstone formations in areas such as Cathedral Valley as well as cliffs and canyons. Another feature at the park is the 100 mile long bulge in the earth's crust called the Waterpocket Fold. It was designated as a national park in 1971, but has been receiving visitors for more than 100 years, who are keen to see the twisting canyons, massive domes, monoliths and spires of sandstone located here.

Cathedral Valley is one of the outstanding features at the park set in the desert area, and it takes its name from the sandstone monoliths that many say resemble cathedrals. The structures here have been given titles such as Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Moon and The Walls of Jericho to name but a few. Visitors will be able to see interesting rock formations all around as they reach the valley, and there are many rock and mineral specimens here but collecting rocks is strictly prohibited inside the park.

Visitors can tour the valley by driving along a 60 mile loop beginning at River Ford, which is on Highway 24 about 12 miles east of the National Park's visitor center. The loop follows the Hartnet Road to the Caineville Wash Road and then returns back to Highway 24 just west of Caineville about 19 miles east of the visitor center. There is also another way to the valley via a dirt road that climbs up Thousand Lake Mountain to the west, and another route that extends up to I-70 on the north.

Apart from the spectacular scenery and fascinating rock formations, one of the key attractions for visitors to Cathedral Valley is the remoteness of it. People seeking a little solitude will find it here and it could be that visitors may not see another person or vehicle whilst driving along the loop. There is a no fee campground along the Cathedral Valley loop road with six sites each featuring a picnic table, fire grate and pit toilet, but there is no water available here.

More details on the valley and the rest of the park can be found at the visitor center just of Highway 24, which is open throughout the year and provides information displays and a slide program. The visitor center is open from 8am to 4.30pm except during the summer when it stays open until 6pm. Maps, brochures and books are available to buy here and there is also a museum with information and displays about the geology, archaeology and history of the area.