Capitol Reef, Fruita, and Hickman Bridge

Enter Capitol Reef on Utah Highway 24 and begin in the Fruita Historic District, where preserved orchards and original homestead structures sit beneath towering canyon walls and add a human story to the landscape.

A classic stop inside Capitol Reef National Park is the Gifford Homestead in the Fruita Historic District, where travelers can buy fresh baked fruit pies, cinnamon rolls, and locally made goods in a restored pioneer homestead surrounded by the park’s historic orchards.

Hike Hickman Bridge, a satisfying 1.8 mile round trip trail that climbs gradually to a large natural arch framed by layered sandstone and open sky. After the hike, continue along the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, a paved route that carries you deeper into the Waterpocket Fold with pullouts revealing colorful cliffs, domes, and sweeping desert views.

At the end of the paved section, consider a walk into Grand Wash, a broad canyon corridor enclosed by sheer rock walls where visitors can explore at their own pace on an out and back hike through towering sandstone walls.

Return to Torrey for the evening, where dark skies and a slower rhythm reflect the understated character of Capitol Reef.

Goblin Valley, White Wash Sand Dunes, and Moab

Continuing east on Utah Highway 24, you pass through the small desert town of Hanksville. A fun road trip stop here is Stan’s Burger Shak, a longtime roadside favorite known for hearty burgers, thick milkshakes, and a classic desert highway atmosphere.

Travel east and stop at Goblin Valley State Park, where strange sandstone formations resembling stone goblins fill the valley floor and invite playful exploration. Goblin Valley became widely known after appearing in the 1999 film Galaxy Quest, where its unusual landscape served as the backdrop for scenes set on an alien planet.

Continue north toward Interstate 70 and explore White Wash Sand Dunes, an open landscape of rolling sand, wide skies, and desert solitude that contrasts beautifully with the canyon terrain earlier in the trip.

From there, continue south on Highway 191 into Moab and enjoy the town’s local shops and restaurants, an ideal place to reset before the next national park sequence.

A popular local gathering place is Moab Brewery, the town’s first brewery and a longtime favorite among hikers, climbers, and road trippers exploring Arches and Canyonlands.