The natives have been known to refer to the Capitol Reef area as the "Land of the Sleeping Rainbows" in reference and reverence to the colors that abound in the land. When juxtaposed with the sky and the flora it seems possible to see every color imaginable. Here you'll find yourself just outside the bounds of Capitol Reef and above the canyons giving arresting and humbling views: the reef to the west, the waterpocket fold extending seemingly without end to the south, and the magnificent Henry Mountans peeking over the mesa to the east. Not to be left out is the view to the north made up mostly of the craggy layers that Capitol Reef is known for, though they're distant enough to seem small and diminished. We'd love to see what catches your eye from this vantage point, so please post your pictures along with your log.
Those with a larger appetite for adventure will find trailheads to some beautiful and technical slot canyons just a little further south: Burro Wash, Sheets Gulch, and Cottonwood Wash. If you've got an eye for rugged southwestern color and geology then continuing southward on Notom Road (paved up to the park boundary) will lead to to the Burr Trail, a road built to move cattle through the area early in the last century with a mighty impressive set of switchbacks. Following this road will lead you on an unforgettable journey to Boulder, just be aware that it's dirt and/or sand all the way. (Be sure to check road conditions and have ample fuel if you choose this route. DO NOT ATTEMPT IF THERE ARE IMPENDING STORMS.) Following Notom Road to its conclusion will put you just outside of Bullfrog at Lake Powell.
CAPITOL REEF SCENIC DRIVES