Capital Reef's formation began 270 million years ago as a shallow seabed in the Pemian Basin. In the Triassic period the sea filled by erosion with silt and volcanic ash. Streams cut through the land depositing layer upon layer of sand. Over millions of years the pressure of all the material deposited turned the sand into stone. Uplift of the Colorado Plateau 15 million years ago exposed the sandstone to the erosive action of wind and water creating the dramatic stone formations we see today.
The Capitol Reef National Park was designated a national park in 1971. Accomadations in this area are somewhat limited. Torrey offers lodging, RV Parking and a few restaurants. Plan accordingly!
Native People came to America in the Pleistoscene Era and have lived in this area for over 12,000 years. The Fremont People were hunter gatherers and lived here over a thousand years ago! Petroglyphs throughout the park were etched in the rock walls by the Fremont Indian People. Parking for the petroglyphs are located directly off of Highway 24.
Capital Reef's formation began 270 million years ago as a shallow seabed in the Pemian Basin. In the Triassic period the sea filled by erosion with silt and volcanic ash. Streams cut through the land depositing layer upon layer of sand. Over millions of years the pressure of all the material deposited turned the sand into stone. Uplift of the Colorado Plateau 15 million years ago exposed the sandstone to the erosive action of wind and water creating the dramatic stone formations we see today.
The Capitol Reef National Park was designated a national park in 1971. Accomadations in this area are somewhat limited. Torrey offers lodging, RV Parking and a few restaurants. Plan accordingly!
Native People came to America in the Pleistoscene Era and have lived in this area for over 12,000 years. The Fremont People were hunter gatherers and lived here over a thousand years ago! Petroglyphs throughout the park were etched in the rock walls by the Fremont Indian People. Parking for the petroglyphs are located directly off of Highway 24.
R&R Travel Photography