Capitol Reef National Park Elevation: Full Guide & 4 Tips
In south-central Utah is Capitol Reef National Park, a hidden gem among America's national parks. With its high altitude, this guide will review everything you need to know about Capitol Reef National Park elevation, and four steps to combat altitude sickness there.
What Is The Altitude Of Capitol Reef National Park?
Capitol Reef National Park is known to have a wide range in altitudes, between 3,877 feet to 8,960 feet high.
Elevation of Capitol Reef National Park:
- Capitol Reef National Park elevation - 3,877 ft to 8,960 ft (1182 m to 2731 m)
Highest and Lowest Elevation of Capitol Reef National Park:
- Lowest elevation Hall's Creek - 3,877 ft (1182 m)
- Highest elevation Billings Pass - 8,960 ft (2731 m)
These elevations make Capitol Reef National Park as one of the highest parks in Utah, among Zion National Park, Arches National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park.
What Is The Highest Point In The Capitol Reef?
There’s a few high points within Capitol Reef National Park, the highest point being near Billings Pass at 8,960 feet high. If you look beyond Capital Reef, Blue Bell Knoll (also known as Boulder Top) is the highest point in the mountainous area at 11,317 feet.
Highest Point in the Capitol Reef:
- Billings Pass elevation 8,960 ft (2731 m)
In addition, there’s other high points within the park, including Cathedral Mountain and Golden Throne.
- Cathedral Mountain elevation - 6,924 ft (2,110 m)
- Golden Throne - 7,041 ft (2,146 m)
These elevations are almost twice as high as Salt Lake City, which sits at 4,265 feet.
Is Capitol Reef National Park Considered High Altitude?
Yes, Capitol Reef National Park is considered high altitude.
Mountain Medicine classifies it has high altitude by exceeding 4,900 feet high.⁴ At the highest points of Capitol Reef National Park, there’s approximately 26% less oxygen in the air than found at sea level.⁵
What National Park Has The Highest Elevation In Utah?
Out of all the National Parks in Utah, Great Basin National Park is the highest. Bryce Canyon is second highest, with Capitol Reef National Park coming in third.
National Parks in Utah ranked by elevation (highest to lowest):
1. Great Basin National Park elevation - 13,060 ft (3980 m)
3. Capitol Reef National Park elevation - 8,960 ft (2731 m)
5. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area elevation - 7,606 ft (2,319 m)
6. Canyonlands National Park elevation - 7,120 ft (2,170 m)
With its heights and unique landscapes, Utah is home to some of the highest altitude national parks in America.
Can You Get Altitude Sickness At Capitol Reef National Park?
Yes, you can get altitude sickness at Capitol Reef National Park.
Even at the altitude of 4,265 feet in Salt Lake City, visitors often experience altitude sickness. Capitol Reef National Park is much higher in elevation.
Travel Medicine Consultants estimate altitude sickness to start at 4,000 to 5,000 feet, which puts Capitol Reef National Park well beyond the risk level.⁷
Capitol Reef National Park Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness in Capitol Reef National Park, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), can be a concern for visitors with its varied elevations.
The lack of oxygen in the higher air leads to physiological and oxidative stress on the body. Symptoms can include headache, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.
Symptoms of Capitol Reef National Park altitude sickness:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble sleeping or insomnia
- Feeling ill
- Loss of appetite
Keep an eye out for these types of symptoms, especially the first 6-24 hours when they are most likely to develop. Keep reading to find our best tips for combatting these potential effects.
Best Hikes In Capitol Reef National Park
Ranked by Utah National Park Trips, these are the top seven hikes in Capitol Reef National Park.
Best Hikes In Capitol Reef National Park:
1. Goosenecks Overlook and Sunset Point
2. Fremont River Trail
3. Grand Wash Trail
4. Hickman Bridge Trail
5. Cohab Canyon Trail to North and South Fruita Overlooks
6. Chimney Rock Loop
7. Cassidy Arch Trail
These are great trail options for your Capitol Reef adventures.
4 Steps To Combat Capitol Reef Altitude Sickness
Exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Capitol Reef National Park comes with the risks from its elevations.
As a Colorado based company with years of altitude experience, we’ll share with you proven steps for combating altitude sickness in Capitol Reef.
Here’s 4 Steps To Combat Capitol Reef Altitude Sickness:
1. Consume More Water
The dry air and increased elevation can lead to quicker dehydration in Capitol Reef. So much that high altitude was proven to increase fluid loss by twice the speed than at sea level.⁹
Most people already drink less water than they should, you should consume more water during your Capitol Reef trip. At minimum, drink 2-4 liters of water per day.
2. Ascend Slowly
Ascending too fast is what is the trigger to altitude sickness. Once your body adapts and acclimates, your risk goes down. Therefore, ascend as slowly as possible at Capitol Reef National Park.
One way you can do this is by staying in a nearby area for a few nights, like Torrey at an altitude of 6,837 feet. After a night or two of feeling acclimated, you should be able to better weather any increase in elevation in the Capitol Reef park.
3. Prioritize Your Sleep
Adequate rest is proven to help recovery, also shown to increase blood flow and oxygen.¹⁰ A well-rested body is going to be better equipped to handle the physical demands at high-altitude.
Aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep per night. To help melatonin production at night for sleep quality, get plenty of natural sunlight during the day.
4. Load Up On Antioxidants
Antioxidants have been shown to be beneficial due to increased oxidative stress at high elevations.¹³ Glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant, was proven in research to decrease by 45% from high altitude conditions.¹²
Load up on antioxidants by supplementing, which can help your body’s ability to combat oxidative stress.¹³
By following these steps at Capitol Reef National Park, you can better enjoy your time and adventures!
Mountain Support Chewables
Specially formulated for outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and mountain-goers, these chewables provide essential nutrients to feel better faster. Each delicious, easy-to-take chewable is packed with a blend of antioxidants including glutathione to fuel your body for hydration and recovery. Simply take 2-4 berry-flavored chewables per day or as you need. Try Zaca’s chewable supplement today as your go-to companion for peak performance.
SOURCES:
1. Capitol Reef National Park and Elevation Range
https://www.usgs.gov/geology-and-ecology-of-national-parks/ecology-capitol-reef-national-park
2. Capitol Reef National Park Utah Hiking & Elevation
https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/hiking.htm
3. Capitol Reef National Park Facts & Elevation
https://www.nationalparked.com/capitol-reef
4. Effects of high altitude on humans
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_high_altitude_on_humans
5. Altitude To Oxygen Chart
https://hypoxico.com/pages/altitude-to-oxygen-chart
6. Boulder Mountain (Utah)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulder_Mountain_(Utah)
7. High Altitude Illness
https://www.travelsurenyc.com/high-altitude-illness/
8. List of national parks of the United States by elevation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_the_United_States_by_elevation
9. The Importance Of Drinking Water At High Altitude
https://summitoxygen.net/drinking-at-high-altitude/
10. Sleep: The Secret Ingredient of Injury Recover
https://www.orthocarolina.com/media/sleep-the-secret-ingredient-of-injury-recovery
11. High altitude and oxidative stress
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17482529/
12. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
13. Oxidative Stress and Diseases Associated with High-Altitude Exposure
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8868315/
14. Best Hikes in Capitol Reef National Park
https://www.myutahparks.com/things-to-do/hiking-trails/capitol-reef-hikes/
15. Torrey Utah Elevation
https://capitolreefcountry.com/torrey/
