Backcountry Use Regulations
Welcome to Capitol Reef National Park. In order to protect fragile desert
resources and maximize your enjoyment, please follow these regulations:
Backpacking and Day Hiking
 A free backcountry use permit, available at the Visitor Center, is
required for all overnight trips.
 Purify all water before drinking. Do not pollute water sources with
soap, food scraps, suntan lotion, etc. Do not swim or bathe in potholes
or tanks.
 When possible, hike on existing roads and trails. In other areas, walk
on slickrock, in washes, and on animal trails. Avoid walking on
biological soil crust.
 Do not disturb or deface natural features, historic or archeological sites.
 Collecting items of any kind is prohibited.
 Pack out all trash including food scraps, cigarette butts, and toilet
paper. Burying or burning of toilet paper is prohibited.
 Bury human waste at least 6 inches deep in soil and at least 100 feet
away from water sources and out of washes.
 Pets are not permitted on trails or in the backcountry, and may not be
left unattended.
 Gathering firewood and building fires is prohibited; use fuel-burning
stoves in the backcountry.
 Camp at least ½ mile from roads and trailheads. Camp out of sight and
sound of the trail and other campers. Camp at least 300 feet away
from flowing water, archeological sights, and trail junctions.
 Parties camping in the backcountry must not number more than 12
persons.
 Backcountry camping is limited to 3 nights in a particular location, 14
days per trip and 30 days annually.
Camping with a Vehicle
 Vehicle camping is restricted to designated sites within Cedar Mesa
campground or Cathedral campground.
 Fires are permitted at established campgrounds, but must be contained
within designated receptacles in each site. You must supply your own
firewood or charcoal; gathering firewood is prohibited.
 Read and follow posted guidelines in the campgrounds.
 Pets must be leashed at all times.
Vehicle/ATV/Bicycle Use
 All vehicles must stay on designated roads. Vehicles and drivers must
be state licensed.
 ATV use is prohibited within the park.
 Bicycles are permitted only on designated roads, and are not permitted
on any trail or off-road.
Firearms and Hunting
 Hunting and trapping are prohibited.
 The use of a weapon, trap, or net is prohibited. The carry of
firearms must be consistent with Utah State Law.
Your cooperation in observing these regulations will assure these unique
resources will be preserved for your further enjoyment, and the enjoyment
of future generations. Thank you for your cooperation, and enjoy your visit!
(Rev. 6/17)
Backcountry Use Regulations
Welcome to Capitol Reef National Park. In order to protect fragile desert
resources and maximize your enjoyment, please follow these regulations:
Backpacking and Day Hiking
 A free backcountry use permit, available at the Visitor Center, is
required for all overnight trips.
 Purify all water before drinking. Do not pollute water sources with
soap, food scraps, suntan lotion, etc. Do not swim or bathe in potholes
or tanks.
 When possible, hike on existing roads and trails. In other areas, walk
on slickrock, in washes, and on animal trails. Avoid walking on
biological soil crust.
 Do not disturb or deface natural features, historic or archeological sites.
 Collecting items of any kind is prohibited.
 Pack out all trash including food scraps, cigarette butts, and toilet
paper. Burying or burning of toilet paper is prohibited.
 Bury human waste at least 6 inches deep in soil and at least 100 feet
away from water sources and out of washes.
 Pets are not permitted on trails or in the backcountry, and may not be
left unattended.
 Gathering firewood and building fires is prohibited; use fuel-burning
stoves in the backcountry.
 Camp at least ½ mile from roads and trailheads. Camp out of sight and
sound of the trail and other campers. Camp at least 300 feet away
from flowing water, archeological sights, and trail junctions.
 Parties camping in the backcountry must not number more than 12
persons.
 Backcountry camping is limited to 3 nights in a particular location, 14
days per trip and 30 days annually.
Camping with a Vehicle
 Vehicle camping is restricted to designated sites within Cedar Mesa
campground or Cathedral campground.
 Fires are permitted at established campgrounds, but must be contained
within designated receptacles in each site. You must supply your own
firewood or charcoal; gathering firewood is prohibited.
 Read and follow posted guidelines in the campgrounds.
 Pets must be leashed at all times.
Vehicle/ATV/Bicycle Use
 All vehicles must stay on designated roads. Vehicles and drivers must
be state licensed.
 ATV use is prohibited within the park.
 Bicycles are permitted only on designated roads, and are not permitted
on any trail or off-road.
Firearms and Hunting
 Hunting and trapping are prohibited.
 The use of a weapon, trap, or net is prohibited. The carry of
firearms must be consistent with Utah State Law.
Your cooperation in observing these regulations will assure these unique
resources will be preserved for your further enjoyment, and the enjoyment
of future generations. Thank you for your cooperation, and enjoy your visit!
(Rev. 6/17)
 Backcountry Use Regulations
Welcome to Capitol Reef National Park. In order to
protect fragile desert resources and maximize your
enjoyment, please follow these regulations.
Backpacking and Day Hiking
Requirements:
 Obtain a free backcountry use permit from the Visitor
Center for all overnight trips.
 Purify all water before drinking.
 Hike on roads and trails if possible; if not, use slickrock,
washes, and animal trails to avoid cryptobiotic crust.
 Pack out all trash (food, cigarettes, toilet paper, etc.).
 Bury human waste at least 6' deep, at least 100” from water
sources, and out of washes.
 Use fuel-burning stoves, not fire, in the backcountry.
 Camp at least ½ mile from roads and trailheads, hidden
from the trail and other campers and at least 300” from
flowing water, archeological sites, and trail junctions.
 Limit backcountry camping to 3 nights per location, 14 days
per trip, and 30 days per year.
Prohibitions:
 Do not swim in or pollute water sources (with soap, food,
suntan, etc.).
 Do not deface natural, historic, or archeological sites.
 Do not collect items of any kind.
 Do not bury or burn toilet paper.
 Do not bring pets to trails or the backcountry, and do not
leave them unattended.
 Do not gather firewood or build fires.
 Do not camp in the backcountry with over 12 people.
Vehicle/Firearm/Hunting Regulations
Requirements:
 Limit vehicle camping to designated sites within Cedar Mesa
or Cathedral campgrounds, follow posted guidelines, leash
pets at all times, limit fires to designated receptacles, and
supply your own wood.
 Keep vehicles state licensed and on designated roads.
 Use bicycles only on designated roads, not on trails or off-
road.
 Carry firearms only in compliance with Utah State Law.
Prohibitions:
 Do not use an ATV within the park.
 Do not hunt or trap within the park.
 Do not use a weapon, trap, or net within the park.
Your cooperation with these regulations will assure the
preservation of these unique resources for the further
enjoyment of yourself and future generations. Thank you for
your cooperation, and enjoy your visit! (Rev. 4/18)
Backcountry Use Regulations
Welcome to Capitol Reef National Park. In order to
protect fragile desert resources and maximize your
enjoyment, please follow these regulations.
Backpacking and Day Hiking
Requirements:
 Obtain a free backcountry use permit from the Visitor
Center for all overnight trips.
 Purify all water before drinking.
 Hike on roads and trails if possible; if not, use slickrock,
washes, and animal trails to avoid cryptobiotic crust.
 Pack out all trash (food, cigarettes, toilet paper, etc.).
 Bury human waste at least 6' deep, at least 100” from water
sources, and out of washes.
 Use fuel-burning stoves, not fire, in the backcountry.
 Camp at least ½ mile from roads and trailheads, hidden
from the trail and other campers and at least 300” from
flowing water, archeological sites, and trail junctions.
 Limit backcountry camping to 3 nights per location, 14 days
per trip, and 30 days per year.
Prohibitions:
 Do not swim in or pollute water sources (with soap, food,
suntan, etc.).
 Do not deface natural, historic, or archeological sites.
 Do not collect items of any kind.
 Do not bury or burn toilet paper.
 Do not bring pets to trails or the backcountry, and do not
leave them unattended.
 Do not gather firewood or build fires.
 Do not camp in the backcountry with over 12 people.
Vehicle/Firearm/Hunting Regulations
Requirements:
 Limit vehicle camping to designated sites within Cedar Mesa
or Cathedral campgrounds, follow posted guidelines, leash
pets at all times, limit fires to designated receptacles, and
supply your own wood.
 Keep vehicles state licensed and on designated roads.
 Use bicycles only on designated roads, not on trails or off-
road.
 Carry firearms only in compliance with Utah State Law.
Prohibitions:
 Do not use an ATV within the park.
 Do not hunt or trap within the park.
 Do not use a weapon, trap, or net within the park.
Your cooperation with these regulations will assure the
preservation of these unique resources for the further
enjoyment of yourself and future generations. Thank you for
your cooperation, and enjoy your visit! (Rev. 4/18)