Out of Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks, Capitol Reef is often overlooked, but that’s only because this park’s most incredible sights lie far from the road and remain unseen by most. Backcountry enthusiasts should know, however, that Capitol Reef is a sprawling playground for desert hiking. The park’s Scenic Drive and maintained trails might cover some big-ticket landmarks, but anyone willing to disappear down a side canyon is apt to find the most fascinating scenery with no one else around.

Sulphur Creek is a narrow, twisting canyon that flows with water all year long. Capitol Reef’s ever-popular Goosenecks Overlook peers into this gorge, but hiking through the depths of these sinuous bends is a far better adventure than just viewing them from above.

Chimney Rock Canyon is a very popular day hike in Capitol Reef National Park. This short loop to a natural rock tower is not to be missed, but extending your trek into the longer Spring Canyon is the way to enter the backcountry and leave the crowds behind.

Sheets Gulch is a classic example of a sandstone slot canyon. Rock walls undulate in tandem on either side, sometimes only a few feet apart. In this tight corridor you’ll encounter several obstacles including wedged boulders and possibly pools of water, requiring scrambling and wading to proceed.

This wilderness trek goes through the bottom of a canyon and along the top of a slickrock ridge. With several sandstone arches, spacious alcoves, sinuous narrows, and panoramic views, it offers a bit of everything to be found in Capitol Reef’s remote Waterpocket District. The off-trail route is quite challenging, and just driving to the trailhead is no easy matter, either.