Trail Overview

This is a really fun trail. I loved this because a good chunk of it is right in the heart of Capitol Reef National Park. There is a campground right near the beginning of this trail (if you start in Capitol Reef), and there are a ton of hikes that you can stop and enjoy on this trail, each of which have incredible views of Capitol Reef National Park! This trail is a bit slower going because it is hard-packed dirt but is covered with rocks which makes it a bit slower. Once you get off of the plateau overlooking Capitol Reef, it smooths out and becomes a much easier route. You then come into the Bentonite Hills, which are incredible. Talk about Mars on Earth! You see different colored dirt that completely resembles Mars! This is a great place to take drone footage if you have one. Near the end of the trail, you will come up to the Fremont River. This river is typically fairly easy to fjord, but I went across as it was snowing/raining, and the water levels were much higher. I was still able to cross just fine in my stock 2020 Ram 1500.

Photos of Hartnett Road

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Difficulty

I am giving this a 5 due to the water crossing being at least 18" at the end of the trail. When I went it was snowing / raining and it was probably closer to 3 feet in depth, so this can get up to a 6 depending on the weather. Use good judgement and watch the weather forecasts before attempting this trail.

Technical Rating

Zachary Coumbs

May 26, 2026

Open

THE ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS TO BE CHANGED TO "NO” SIDE-BY-SIDE AND NO ATV’S EVEN IF THEY ARE STREET LEGAL entering Capital Reef National Park!

Andre

May 23, 2026

Open

Very easy water crossing very low level, the rest of the trail is easy but does require high clearance at the end before the camp ground. Beautifull trail at the Bentonite hills.Dusty and a bit busy but it was memorial day week end

Nick Bishop

Mar 30, 2026

Open

Traveled from the primitive campsite at Cathedral Campground down the Hartnett Road to SR24. Beautiful drive with plenty of interesting country to see. The view from the top of Cathedral Valley is unbelievable! Road was great for nearly the entire way, with a couple of dry washes to cross. My rig pulled our Xpedition Voyager like a champ. The Fremont crossing just north of SR24 was easy to cross and was running about 12-16" deep. We helped an inexperienced off-roader cross in a Tacoma with little trouble and warned off a couple in a small crossover SUV that they should probably think twice.

Laura L

Mar 27, 2026

Open

Road was excellent condition for most of it but some washboard on the eastern side of the loop closer to the templesof the sun and moon area. Very very dusty. Water crossing was no problem at all. According to the Capitol reef website the river was 13” deep

Odonata Overland

Feb 16, 2026

Open

Really fun trail! I only did the portion south bound from Hartnet after doing the Northern Catheral vet Road. First real test of pulling the Xpedition Voyager and it handled it like a champ! All washes were dry, and the creek crossing was about 8-10” deep, but rain was forecast for that evening. Park Ranger warned to be on pavement before it came. She said 3” were predicted, so things could have change drastically with that much rain.

David Pierson

Feb 15, 2026

Open

Fremont River ford was approx. 12” deep. Road was overall good, mostly washboard until nearing Cathedral Valley when it became rockier. Saw approx. 6 other vehicles all day on the entire loop.

Alex LaBarge

Sep 19, 2025

Open

Water crossing currently a non-issue, depth was maybe 6-8 inches. Nice easy slopes entering and exiting the river. Some mild to moderate washboard in some sections of the road.

Ethan Gibbs

Sep 07, 2025

Open

The start of the trail has a current impassable warning sign, after that the river you need to cross at the start of the south side of the trail is extremely high and muddy with very very steep muddy banks.

Charles Cellarius

Aug 19, 2025

Open

Note that all of Capitol Reef National Forest is closed to side by side and atv’s. This includes not allowing the use of street legal vehicles.

David E

Jul 25, 2025

Open

West side near cathedral valley campground has a lot of embedded lava rock that could be hard for vehicles with moderate clearance. Middle bit fairly easy but dusty / washboarded. East end has the river crossing, currently easy at about 6” with a firm bottom.

Blake Griggs

Jul 05, 2025

Open

Even after it rained 2 days ago the water crossing was easy. Any stock truck can make it with no problems. Rest of the trail was fairly well maintained with no major obstacles. Saw about a half dozen other vehicles.

James Wallace

Jun 20, 2025

Open

River ford was easy peasy, maybe 10 inches (or less). Expecting washboard and bumpy roads we aired down and were glad we did. It allowed us to drive a little faster than otherwise would have been comfortable. Views were fantastic and the loop was well worth it. Went in a 4Runner TRD and a GMC Sierra AT4X. This trail is doable by Subarus.

Daniel Guttormson

Jun 02, 2025

Open

Rob L

May 31, 2025

Open

The water at the river crossing was low, maybe 10-12”. However, if you’re concerned and coming from hwy 24 then do this first as it’s right off the highway. Once past the river the rest of the trail is easy. Lots of gravel and rock over compacted clay.

Don Courtney

May 15, 2025

Open