cathedral valley

Entering Cathedral Valley, we did not ford the Freemont River but entered through Hartnet Junction in a high clearance SUV. We stopped at only two overlooks, the Upper South Desert Overlook and the Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook. The views from the Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook were spectacular. The dirt roads to Cathedral Valley and to the two overlooks I would call "extremely rocky roads" rather than "dirt roads". The reason we left Cathedral Valley after stopping at only two overlooks were these extremely rocky roads. There is no way that a vehicle that does not have a high clearance could travel the roads in the Cathedral Valley. The beauty of Cathedral Valley is not worth travelling these rocky roads. If we had known the roads were so rocky, we would not have visited Cathedral Valley.

Nearly 60 miles of off-road splendor driven as a loop beginning and ending on paved Hwy 24. We drove it in a slightly modified (suspension lift) Suzuki Grand Vitara and had no problems at all with clearance or traction. I think this could easily be driven in any high clearance (truck/SUV) 2wd vehicle in dry conditions. Took us about 6 hours as we made many stops at overlooks and photo-ops and my brother ride his mtn bike for about 10 miles of it for fun. Yeah, about 10mph average as there is so much to see. The terrain changes frequently from an easy river crossing to high desert flatlands to Bentonite Hills to climbing the rugged volcanic escarpment to dropping into the sandy Cathedral Valley and exiting out of Slickrock and Navajo cap rock. Amazing drive! It is long enough that you will probably only do this one drive in a day. Cathedral Valley or Waterpocket Fold....hmmmm. Choices, choices.

Trios on the run for 8 days in Utah, checked into hotel at Torrey, after drive on one of the most scenic high mountain roads, from Bryce Canyon via Boulder, rushed to Cathedral Valley without much advance information, took the only rough & tough gravel mountain road into wilderness, crossed a stream, on and on, never seem to reach anywhere, with hardly any road markers & signs, finally turned on a mountain bend, there stood one of the most magnificent awesome monumental Nature's wonder, tall, majestic and stunning two God's own "Cathedral" and the breathtaking view of the huge valley down below! Once in life time experience, very rewarding at the end of the strenuous long drive in the wilderness! Retuning to the hotel was quite challenging after the Sunset with hardly any markers & road signs! Park Management would well to put some bold markers & road signs to help and facilitate visitors, particularly in evenings. Visitors are better off to take the 2nd end of the loop road, leaving the first one, on Route 24 when starting from Torrey main junction here Day's Inn is located, to avoid the more rugged rough road from thecfirst start of the loop! Feel blessed. Be prepared with 32GB/64GB memory card to tae tons of pictures!!

We were here for 4th of July weekend, temps were in the high 90s so that wasn't such a great idea. We started at Cathedral Valley Road and crossed the River Ford (only 7", make sure you check at the visitors center for current conditions!!). Passenger cars probably won't make it in some areas, bring plenty of water, gas up and take your time. The views were amazing, so many great picture opportunities. I would definitely recommend the drive if you have the time (about 6 hours) and the vehicle to do it in.

We visited Cathedral Valley on our recent vacation to Utah while in Torrey exploring Capitol Reef National Park. We drove the entire road beginning at the Caineville Wash Road and ending at the River Ford Crossing, the drive can be done either way. We began early and spent about 6 hours exploring Cathedral Valley. The Temples of the Sun and the Moon were massive. We also loved the view as we drove over the switchbacks, stopping at the primitive campground for a picnic lunch. There is so much diversity to the landscape here. We wondered if we had landed on another planet when we drive through the Bentonite Hills section of the valley. The road itself was generally sandy with some wet patches, but nothing that our 4 wheel drive could not handle. The road from the campground was quite rocky for several miles and we definitely had to creep along, but we made it through with no problem. I would recommend a visit through Cathedral Valley, it was just beautiful!

The Cathedral Valley is one of the most scenic areas of Capitol Reef. To get there is a backcountry road trip of about 60 miles of dirt roads. It can be done as a loop from Hartnet and Cathedral Valley roads. Road conditions vary and may require a 4WD high clearance vehicle. Check at the Visitors Center - not easy, but worth the effort if you are an adventurer and have the vehicle to do it.

The 17 mi trip out to the Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Moon and Glass Mountain is a little rough (I wouldn't do it in a passenger car, but any 2WD with decent clearance will be OK), especially from about the 3.5 - 10 mile mark, but the scenery is amazing, and I encountered no one else except on the way back.

ONLY attempt this route in a high clearance 4x4 vehicle. Love visiting the Temple of the Sun and Moon and Glass Mountain - which are all located in close proximity to each other and look great no matter what time of the day you happen to be there. With the parks closed more people may be considering this route and there are no park rangers to consut but do heed advice and travel this in the right vehicle - a passenger car will NOT be able to make the trip. No cell service and a tow will run well over $1k if you can ever get help. You will encounter some middling to deep sand along the way and some cavernous holes along the edges to avoid due to rain washouts and the spur road to the three attractions has a very challenging wash to cross which you should not attempt if uncomfortable with it. Do not even consider this route if weather is not clear and dry. This trip we did the shorter route in entering from Cainesville. Its about 18 miles into the temples and then returning out that way. Allow about three hours for the short round trip. You will not encounter many other vehicles but be wary as this road contains many blind hill crests and curves. There are no facilities on this route.

While exploring Capitol Reef National Park, our book recommended something unusual, which was a drive through the park accessible only if you had a 4x4!We went to the visitors centre and a friendly ranger said the road was open, and was in pretty good condition, and guided us to the map for which we paid $2. This is well worth it.The route begins with a river crossing! The water was quite low so we drive straight through, and then over the next many hours and 75 miles we saw some amazing sights, each one as striking as the next.Just a few to highlight : Jailhouse Rock, Cathedral Valley, Temple of Sun and Moon, the Glass Mountain, the Gypsum Sinkhole. The landscape changes every few miles and you o through some tough terrain.Unlike other National Parks we have been too, Capitol Reef remains undiscovered, and it was very enjoyable to be the only people driving around the desert. I think we encountered just four other cars the entire day!We would highly recommend this if you are at the Capitol Reef National Park.

28 miles of unpaved roads with little to no traffic. We have a high-clearance 4x4 and had no problems. I do not recall seeing any cars though. It was quiet and beautiful for our hiking and photography of the area.

I read many reviews and commentaries about this route both on TA and in various travel guides. We did the traditional itinerary starting at the Fremont River crossing onto Hartnet Road and looping back down into the Valley on Caineville Wash/Cathedral Road, driving an Acura RDX AWD SUV. The river depth was about a foot. You have to drive about 100 feet or so IN the river before you get to the exit point. Then there was about a quarter mile of very deeply rutted soft sand to traverse. In our former Volvo V50 4WD we would have bottomed out I think and a passenger car would have surely been doomed. The first half of this loop on the Hartnet Road offers some lovely vistas and views of weirdly colored mounds. But portions of this road are brutally rough; very rocky with occasional fallen boulders to avoid and deep dips in the washes. I would consider --maybe recommend-- visiting Cathedral Valley starting at the Caineville Road access further north on Hwy 24 and then turning around before the road begins the ascent at about 30 miles. This section of the road has its ruts and some deep washes but its much less rough and hazardous than the Hartnet Road portion. And you get to see all the iconic spires and buttes while missing a few vistas that are quite similar to other views you get elsewhere in the Park.A few other notes. Morning light is better for photography. There are no facilities whatsoever. We saw just three other cars (two Jeeps, one Subaru) in our six hours on the route: all of them driving from the Caineville Rd access, btw. I wouldn't do this drive without an AWD/4WD vehicle. Don't even think about it if the weather isn't perfect.

Visited Cathedral Valley in 1998 and thought it was fantastic. On two further occasions we were unable to get through because of adverse weather but spent another day there last October. I think it was even better than than I remembered, really worth setting aside a day for the trip. This time we drove from the West at Fremont, on the thousand lake mountain road, and came out via the Cainville road. This must be one of the very best places to see.in Utah.

We visited Capitol Reef NP in 2002 and returned in 2010 to do more exploring of the area. We drove the Cathedral Valley loop in a Jeep Cherokee 4X4 in April and the river was fairly high and we followed the Rangers advice as we crossed it with out any problem. The Temples are very impressive as are the other views and the road was easily passable but we could tell that in wet weather the roads could be difficult. To drive this loop without a high clearance truck or a 4X4 is pushing your luck. I look forward to when I may get to drive it again. God's handiwork abounds, relax and enjoy.

We just have been to Cathedral Valley today and it is really exceptionally great. Make sure to ask in the visiting center about the wather level of fremont river. We made the trip with a ford edge and had absolutely no problems. however, today is a hot summer day without rain and road conditions might easily become very difficult I can imagine. The views are great, we met only two rangers during our four hour drive, nobody else was there.... Make sure to bring wather and food then this is an amazing trip we can only recommend!

We took a group of family members there and everyone was impressed with the beautiful formations.