Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef is the middle child of the Utah parks — less famous than Zion and Bryce to the southwest, less visited than Arches and Canyonlands to the east, consistently overlooked in favor of its more celebrated neighbors. Most visitors to southern Utah drive Highway 24 through the park without stopping, catching a glimpse of the Waterpocket Fold from the road and continuing toward whichever more famous park is on the itinerary. This is a mistake.