Embark on a private Cathedral Valley tour to explore the hidden gems of Capitol Reef. Discover awe-inspiring features and experience the heart and soul of this stunning national park.
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Cathedral Valley - Guests will be picked up from their lodging in one of our luxury off-road SUVs. They will then be driven through roughly 70 miles of Utah’s most remote terrain. The famous Cathedral Valley Loop features a dramatic river crossing (safely navigated in our capable SUVs) and scenic stops. Refreshments and a stop for lunch and/or snacks will be provided. Guests will also learn about the area’s ancient, geologic, and recent history, enhancing the unforgettable scenic adventure.
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Bentonite Hills - The road to this location passes through spectacular, rainbow-striped sedimentary hills from the Jurassic era that must be seen to be believed.
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Upper Cathedral Valley Overlook - Guests will enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the stunning monoliths and geology of Cathedral Valley below, as well as a vista across the valley to the nearly twelve-thousand-foot-high Thousand Lakes Mountain. A short, 1/4-mile hike offers an even closer look at this amazing valley.
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Lower South Desert Overlook - This overlook provides stunning views right from the parking area, with even more beautiful vistas at the end of an easy 1/4-mile hike. Guests will have the best view of the iconic Jailhouse Rock formation, the centerpiece of the overlook.
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Upper South Desert Overlook Road - A short spur road off the main loop leads to an optional 1/8-mile hike to one of the highest overlook points on the tour. From here, guests can enjoy and photograph amazing views spanning east and west along the valley below.
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Walls of Jericho - A magnificent Entrada formation that embodies the essence of Cathedral Valley.
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Gypsum Sinkhole - The endpoint of the Glass Mountain story, with possible sightings of pronghorn antelope.
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Temple of the Sun - Iconic sandstone towers experienced by only 1% of visitors to Capitol Reef National Park.
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Glass Mountains - A unique site where a massive crystal lattice rises from the desert sands, glistening in the afternoon sunlight.
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Temple of the Moon - A knowledgeable guide will lead guests around this iconic monolith, showing the best viewing and photography spots.
- Complimentary bottled water
Cathedral Valley is one of those places that visitors always end up asking “Where is that?, why didn’t I see that when I visited Capitol Reef?”
The reality is, though some of its most awe-inspiring features are included in promotional photos and literature, access to the region is not something a new visitor to the park in a rental vehicle would be advised to embark on. It is, however, one that is highly recommended to any visitor who wants to experience the true heart and soul of Capitol Reef.
We offer two options for this tour: 1. Half Day and 2. Full Day.
- Half-day tour will take you to the most beautiful and iconic features of Capitol Reef: Temple of the Sun, Temple of Moon, and The Glass Mountain. You will see grand vistas of the colorful Bentonite and Mancos Shale, Mars-like formations.
- Full-day is an 8-hour long trip that will take you on a 60-mile Cathedral Valley loop to all 8 destinations detailed in the tour’s itinerary of the “What to expect” session below.
- Not recommended for visually impaired travelers
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
