Utah · Hiking

Sulphur Creek Trail

5.9 mi
round trip
589 ft
climb
6,088 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Sulphur Creek Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists 2 alerts for Capitol Reef National Park.

  • Elevated E. Coli levels - Fremont River and Sulphur Creek

    Park alert covering Capitol Reef National Park · NPS · Capitol Reef National Park

  • Monsoon Season & Flash Floods

    Park alert covering Capitol Reef National Park · NPS · Capitol Reef National Park

As of · Source: NPS · Capitol Reef National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Sulphur Creek Trail is a hard hike in Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, managed by the National Park Service. The route is an out-and-back that covers about 11.8 miles, with a total elevation gain of 589 feet, from a low point of 5,496 feet to a high of 6,088 feet. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically May and September. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Torrey show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 76°F, while July and August average in the mid-80s. A fee is charged for the hike. The trail starts close to the Visitor Center to Campground route, about 0.1 mile away, and the Fruita Area climbing area is about 0.6 mile off. Capitol Reef Group Campground and Cohab Canyon are each about a mile away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Sulphur Creek Trail

    Best months: April–June and August–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      38° / 22°

      5 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 26°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      53° / 32°

      5 wet

    4. Apr

      60° / 38°

      4 wet

    5. May

      70° / 46°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 56°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 62°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 60°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 53°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 41°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 29°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      37° / 21°

      5 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Torrey 7 E, UT, 1.9 mi away at 6,204 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Elevated E. Coli levels - Fremont River and Sulphur Creek

      Capitol Reef National Park · seen Aug 23, 2026, no lift recorded · National Park Service

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors