Capitol Gorge
Capitol Gorge in Utah has 6 trad climbing routes across 5 difficulty grades.
Photo: Greg Willis from Denver, CO, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 6 routes
- 5.9 – 5.13a
- Trad
Is Capitol Gorge 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.
Best time to visit Capitol Gorge
Best months: March–May and September–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.
Jan
41° / 21°
3 wet · 2 snow
Feb
47° / 26°
4 wet · 1 snow
Mar
57° / 34°
4 wet · 1 snow
Apr
65° / 39°
4 wet
May
74° / 48°
5 wet
Jun
86° / 58°
4 wet
Jul
91° / 65°
7 wet
Aug
88° / 63°
8 wet
Sep
80° / 55°
6 wet
Oct
66° / 43°
4 wet
Nov
51° / 30°
3 wet · 1 snow
Dec
40° / 21°
3 wet · 2 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Capitol Reef Np, UT, 6.9 mi away at 5,500 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Capitol Gorge is a climbing area in Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, managed by the National Park Service. It sits within the park's own boundaries, and a fee is charged for access. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 74°F and October highs around 66°F, while July averages about 91°F and January highs sit near 41°F. The area has six trad routes, with grades ranging from 5.9 to 5.13a. Classic Handcrack and Seamus Chill are both 5.9, and Mystery Splitter is 5.13a. The Capital Gorge Boulders lie just 0.3 miles away, and the Golden Throne hike is also about 0.3 miles off. The Capitol Gorge Trail is roughly 0.9 miles away, and Capitol Reef Group Campground is about 5.9 miles away.
Routes (6)
Facts about this crag
Keep exploring — more climbs worth the drive
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