Parking
Use the signed Chimney Rock Trailhead turnout on UT 24, about three miles west of the visitor center. A restroom is shown at the trailhead. The turnout is small; no signed overflow lot is identified.
Overview
About Chimney Rock Loop
Why go
- Upper-rim views of Chimney Rock and the Waterpocket Fold
- A complete loop that fits into a half day
Heads up
- Steep, exposed start with little shade
- Pets are prohibited; no water is available on the route
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Capitol Reef map
Full mapElevation6,053–6,657 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 Chimney Rock Loop, 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 trailhead
Chimney Rock0:00 / 0:31
“Chimney Rock is coming up, a red, banded pillar with a pale cap beside Highway 24. Use the trailhead turnout for a quick look; you don't need to hike to appreciate the tower.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Capitol Reef Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Upper Sulphur Creek Trailhead
- Panorama Point
- Sunset Point and Goosenecks
- Fluted Wall Viewpoint
- 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 Chimney Rock Loop
What you’re signing up forChimney Rock Loop is a 3.
Chimney Rock Loop is a 3.6-mile circuit from the UT 24 trailhead, climbing to the rim and circling above the named spire before returning to the same turnout. That distance includes the approach from the road, not just the upper loop. Allow about two to three hours. I’d pick it when you want a real climb and a wide Waterpocket Fold view without giving up a whole day. The ascent comes early; the rest of the circuit keeps you up on the rim.
Hike counterclockwise, as the trail profile shows. At the Chimney Rock Canyon junction, stay on the loop; the canyon route continues away from this circuit.
The climbThe first climb is the steepest part.
The first climb is the steepest part. It follows a fault that split and offset the cliff’s rock layers, so the feature you’re climbing beside is part of the story. The tread moves between sand, dirt and rock. The route’s high point sits about 590 feet above its low point, and the open slope offers little shade.
The rim and its rockFrom the upper trail, Chimney Rock stands below the route, with the western edge of the…
From the upper trail, Chimney Rock stands below the route, with the western edge of the Waterpocket Fold beyond it. Boulder Mountain rises to the southwest; the Henry Mountains and Fruita’s orchards are also visible from parts of the rim. The view keeps changing as the loop bends around the rock, so pause and look back rather than saving every view for one overlook.
Chimney Rock is an outcrop of the roughly 245-million-year-old Moenkopi Formation, capped by harder Shinarump sandstone. That tougher cap helps the narrow spire hold its shape while the softer layers around it wear away. For a photo, frame the rock with the Fold behind it from the upper path. The formations show their colors best near sunset, but don’t stretch the hike into a storm: lightning is a known hazard here.
Heat, edges and accessThis is a shade-free hike with a steep opening climb and exposed cliff edges.
This is a shade-free hike with a steep opening climb and exposed cliff edges. Summer heat can be rough, and storms bring lightning; keep well back from the edges. There’s no water on the route. Pets aren’t allowed on the trail.
Starting on UT 24Use the signed Chimney Rock Trailhead turnout, about three miles west of the visitor center.
Use the signed Chimney Rock Trailhead turnout, about three miles west of the visitor center. A restroom is shown at the trailhead. The parking area is small, and no signed overflow lot is identified. The loop is a good half-day choice if you’re comfortable climbing in the open.
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.
