Parking
The east access is where the ADT leaves Notom-Bullfrog Road; the route ends on Oak Creek Road near UT 12. No dedicated parking lot or shuttle arrangement was verified, so plan transport between the one-way endpoints.
Overview
About American Discovery Trail — Capitol Reef Section
Why go
- More than two dozen Oak Creek crossings, a waterfall, and a natural arch.
- A long crossing of the Waterpocket Fold with a clear high-country finish.
Heads up
- 18.36 miles one way with roughly 3,800 feet of sampled climbing.
- Unmaintained canyon travel demands navigation and self-sufficient backcountry planning.
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Capitol Reef map
Full mapElevation5,295–8,871 ft
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Safety
2 active Capitol Reef alerts
- CautionFlash-flood hazard in canyons and washesHeavy rains can cause sudden flooding in Capitol Reef’s canyons and washes; do not hike or drive through floodwater.Official details
- CautionE. coli advisory for Fremont River and Sulphur CreekDo not swim in the Fremont River or Sulphur Creek or get water in your mouth: NPS reports elevated E. coli in both waterways, and Utah DEQ has issued a warning advisory. - DEQ reports Sulphur Creek E.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Capitol Reef Tour Guide
Your drive to American Discovery Trail — Capitol Reef Section, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Capitol Reef National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Capitol Reef audio tourRecorded for this area
A Partnership on the Rock0:00 / 0:33
“Some of the orange, yellow, or green patches on exposed rock are lichens. A lichen is a partnership: a fungus provides shelter and absorbs moisture, while algae or similar tiny organisms use sunlight to make food.”
Plays on the road 0.1 mi from the trailhead in the Parkwolf Capitol Reef Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Sheets Gulch
- The Primrose Changes Color
- Hummingbirds at the Claret Cups
- A Porcupine’s Winter Meal
- 116 audio storiesacross Capitol Reef’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Marmot, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 48 trails, 52 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking American Discovery Trail — Capitol Reef Section
The park passageThis is the 18.
This is the 18.36-mile, one-way Capitol Reef passage of the American Discovery Trail, from the ADT junction on Notom-Bullfrog Road to Oak Creek Road near UT 12. It crosses the Waterpocket Fold and follows Oak Creek through narrow canyon country before climbing west onto forest roads. This is a remote through-route, not a loop or casual day hike. The profile rises about 3,600 feet from east to west, with roughly 3,800 feet of sampled climbing. Allow about 12 hours with stops, or split it with a permitted overnight.
Through Oak CreekThe route leaves Notom-Bullfrog Road on a dirt track, follows unmaintained paths and washes…
The route leaves Notom-Bullfrog Road on a dirt track, follows unmaintained paths and washes across the Fold, then enters Oak Creek’s narrowing sandstone canyon. Hikers face more than two dozen creek crossings and pass a waterfall and natural arch. The route later climbs onto rough Forest Service tracks toward its west end. Expect track, faint path, wash bottom, and creek edges rather than a signed tread throughout.
If you’re looking for the short Oak Creek Narrows walk, that’s a separate 2.2-mile out-and-back from Notom Road. The ADT passage keeps going west toward UT 12.
A serious backcountry dayThis route suits experienced, self-sufficient hikers who can navigate remote terrain.
This route suits experienced, self-sufficient hikers who can navigate remote terrain. Canyon footing and routefinding are part of the work, and the climb is sustained. No reliable food or water resupply point was identified along this passage, and cell service is usually poor or absent. Carry the water you need for the full section.
Access, weather, and permitsStart where the ADT leaves Notom-Bullfrog Road and finish on Oak Creek Road near Oak Creek…
Start where the ADT leaves Notom-Bullfrog Road and finish on Oak Creek Road near Oak Creek Campground and UT 12. It’s one-way, so arrange transport between ends; no designated parking lot or shuttle was verified. Narrow canyons are especially risky during the usual July–September flash-flood season. Check the forecast and stay out of canyon narrows when storms threaten. A free in-person backcountry permit is required for an overnight in the park. Pets are prohibited on trails and in off-trail or backcountry areas.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Capitol Reef
50 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
322 sightingsMule DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
70 sightingsMarmotMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
13 sightingsCottontail RabbitMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
33 sightingsTurkeyMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
14 sightingsRavenMost seen around 9 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Capitol Reef. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
