2-Day Capitol Reef Loop Day 2: Fremont River to Fruita via Cassidy Arch & Frying Pan Trail
Missed Day 1? Start with my Fruita to Lower Spring Canyon route (including Gooseneck Overlook and Chimney Rock) for the full journey.
- Day 2 Start: East end of Lower Spring Canyon
- End: Fruita Campground
- Distance: ~10 miles
Because my car was at the Fruita Visitor Center, I didn’t need to return to the Grand Wash Trailhead later in the day. Instead, Day 2 of the 2-Day Capitol Reef Loop would complete a fine circular—piecing together some of the park’s best day hikes.
If you’re still getting a feel for the park as a whole, my guide on why Capitol Reef is such an underrated national park gives a helpful overview before diving into Day 2.
Early Start: Fremont River Crossing and Grand Wash at Dawn
Excited and on high alert, I didn’t sleep much and was up, fed, packed, and ready to move before 5:30 a.m., when the first glimmers of daylight lit the canyon. The day’s hiking began with a knee-deep crossing of the Fremont River, followed by a mile’s walk at dawn along Route 24 to Grand Wash.
Grand Wash had a different feel to Lower Spring Canyon—more open, less debris along the trail, and lovely and cool as I made excellent progress in the morning shade. This is my favorite time to hike in desert and semi-desert terrain, and early wake-ups have never bothered me. I’d dealt with similar canyon heat on other desert backpacking trips, including the Zion Traverse, where long days and high‑walled corridors made early starts and strict pacing essential.
Hiking Grand Wash on the 2-Day Capitol Reef Loop
This being a shorter canyon, I expected to see a few hikers, but again had the place to myself. I enjoyed the high walls as they opened—cliffs on three sides as the trail meandered and the sun lit the tops a glorious warm gold. As the name suggests, the scale of the cliffs in Grand Wash is immense, and the next few hours were hiking bliss—marveling at high walls, the combination of red and black rock, and the easy nature of the trail.
The 2.5 miles to Cassidy Arch Trail passed too quickly.
Cassidy Arch Trail – Elevation Gain & Views on the 2-Day Capitol Reef Loop
Some confusion followed as my GPS indicated Cassidy Arch Trailhead to the right, but all I could see was steep cliff—it seemed implausible a trail could take that route. Unsure and entranced by the magnificent red rock scenery, I continued a little further to the end of Grand Wash Trail, an area I instantly recognized from my first visit to the park years ago.
Here, basic amenities allowed me to dispose of some trash, and a trail sign confirmed I’d missed the Cassidy Arch Trail. I turned around, scanning the terrain more carefully—this time spotting the trail sign, more evident from this approach but hidden from view from the other.
Cassidy Arch Trail begins with a bang. The trail rises parallel to Grand Wash, offering increasingly impressive elevated views. I marveled at the imagination of whoever blasted the trail out of the cliff edge, as steps took me higher—a new world opening before me and my imagination running wild.
The Nipple and Cassidy Arch: Iconic Landmarks on the 2-Day Capitol Reef Loop
With the elevation gain, I lost the shade offered in the depths of the canyon, but the views were worth every bit of it. The high trail traversed the final stretches of Grand Wash, then deviated west, bringing into sight iconic landmarks—first The Nipple, then Cassidy Arch itself. Streaks of white and red rock shone in the morning light.
Detour to Cassidy Arch and the Frying Pan Trail Surprise
A trail junction brings you to the Frying Pan Trail, but first, the one-mile roundtrip detour for a closer view of Cassidy Arch is well worth it. Detour over and photos taken, the trail was now warming. With 6+ miles still to Fruita, it was time to pick up the pace.
I had no expectations of the Frying Pan Trail, choosing it more as a connector back to Fruita than a landmark itself. I was massively surprised and impressed by the sweeping and changing views it offered—various washes below, weird and wonderful rock formations, and an array of colors. With wide views and sparse low-lying shrubs, it was the perfect end to a great morning—or so it seemed.
Cohab Canyon Trail – Heat and Crowds on the 2-Day Capitol Reef Loop
The trail went on and on over undulating terrain. A junction and a change of direction west brought a loss of the sweeping views and a return to a sandy trail and the stifling heat of yesterday. But with just miles to go, I was feeling good despite the clear rising temperature.
The first hikers I’d seen in over 24 hours weren’t keen to chat, but nearing the west end of the Cohab Canyon Trail, a steady stream of hikers and families passed—entering the trail just when sanity said it was time to get out of there. Some seemed prepared, but one family asked me where the trail went and if it led to Hickman Bridge. I explained that it would eventually, but without a car to bring them back, they’d be looking at 10+ miles and a full day on the trails—something they were clearly not prepared for. They turned around.
Final Stretch: Fruita Campground and Capitol Reef Visitor Center
Trees and Fruita Campground below indicated the near end of the trail. By now, I’d been rationing my water and was sweating heavily, so I took the opportunity to refill before reaching the Visitor Center.
A final mile of road walking felt like half an hour too much, but I finished my two-day adventure just one hour after the 10 a.m. window and enjoyed the air-conditioned Visitor Center before returning to my car. Tired, dusty, and happy, I’d successfully stitched together some of Capitol Reef’s finest trails into a loop that delivered solitude, drama, and surprise. And if this sounds like a bit much for your own plans, see my Capitol Reef One Day Itinerary for ways to sample the loop with shorter day hikes timed around heat safety.
2-Day Capitol Reef Loop highlights & tips
- Favourite Moments: Hiking at dawn in Grand Wash and hiking up Cassidy Arch trail. Solitude and a lack of crowds compared the other Utah parks.
- Best Advice: Respect the heat, plan water caches, and avoid the midday sun by getting up very early.
- Why It Worked: A backcountry loop route that maximised scenery and minimises repetition.
Capitol Reef Backpacking Loop Day 2: Watch the Video of Lower Spring Canyon, Grand Wash & Cassidy Arch
2-Day Capitol Reef Loop: Hiking Map
Essential Gear List for the 2-Day Capitol Reef Loop
Navigation & Planning
- Detailed topographic map (with Lower Springs Canyon, Grand Wash, Cassidy Arch, Frying Pan Trail overlays)
- GPS device or app (offline maps, trail junctions, elevation profiles)
- Permit printout or digital copy
- Route notes with water cache locations, bailout options, and elevation changes
Water & Hydration
- Hydration bladder (2–3 liters) — for long stretches between Fremont River and Fruita
- Water bottles — for flexibility at caches and river crossings
- Electrolyte tablets or powder — critical for Day 2’ elevation and heat
- Water purification method — for Fremont River bap
- Water cache containers — cached at Lower Spring Canyon east end and Chimney Rock trailheads
Shelter & Sleep
- Ultralight tent or bivy
- Sleeping pad
- Lightweight sleeping bag or quilt
- Groundsheet or footprint
Cooking & Food
- Compact stove + fuel
- Lightweight cook pot
- Long-handled spoon or spork
- Dehydrated meals + snacks — pasta, sugary treats, nuts, jerky
- Lighter + backup firestarter
Safety & Essentials
- First aid kit — include blister care, rehydration salts, and heat-related items
- Headlamp + spare batteries
- Multi-tool or knife
- Emergency whistle
- Extra sunscreen + lip balm — for exposed ridgelines on Frying Pan Trail
- Trash bag or ziplock — for trailhead disposal at Grand Wash
FAQs for a 2‑Day Capitol Reef Loop Hike
What is the 2‑Day Capitol Reef Loop hike?
The 2‑Day Capitol Reef Loop is a backpacking route that links several of the park’s best trails — Grand Wash, Cassidy Arch, Frying Pan Trail, and Cohab Canyon — into a circular hike starting and ending near Fruita.
How long is the 2‑Day Capitol Reef Loop?
The loop covers roughly 24 miles over two days, depending on detours and trailhead choices.
Do I need a permit for the 2‑Day Capitol Reef Loop?
Yes. Backcountry permits are required for overnight trips in Capitol Reef National Park. They are free and available at the Fruita Visitor Center.
Where does the hike start and end?
Park and begin near the Fruita Visitor Center.
Is water available along the loop?
Yes, but only at the Fremont River. Water caching is strongly recommended to ensure you have enough for the hike. This is straightforward to arrange since Route 24 intersects the loop.
What’s the best season for the 2‑Day Capitol Reef Loop?
I hiked the loop in summer, when the heat made a safe strategy essential to avoid midday exposure. Spring and fall are the ideal seasons for this route.
How crowded are the trails?
Grand Wash and Cassidy Arch: Popular day hikes, expect crowds.
Frying Pan and Cohab Canyon: Quieter, especially in early morning.
Loop overall: Offers solitude once you leave the main trailheads
How difficult is the Cassidy Arch Trail?
Cassidy Arch is a moderate hike with 670 feet of elevation gain. It’s steep but short, and offers the unique chance to stand atop a natural stone arch.
What is the Frying Pan Trail like?
The Frying Pan Trail connects Cassidy Arch to Cohab Canyon. It’s a scenic hike with exposure to sun and heat, so water and early starts are essential.
How Capitol Reef National Park Fits into a Road Trip
Capitol Reef National Park sits at the heart of Utah’s “Big 5,” making it a natural centerpiece for a classic desert loop:
- Heading southwest, you’ll reach Bryce Canyon National Park in just over 2 hours, and Zion National Park in around 3 hours.
- Many travelers visit Capitol Reef, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park in one loop, with Capitol Reef perfectly positioned in the middle.
- If you’re finishing your journey in Las Vegas, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Grand Canyon National Park as you head west—it’s a fitting finale to any Southwest adventure.
- Alternatively, if you continue east after completing the Utah Big 5, Denver becomes a logical endpoint. It’s home to a major international airport and sits close to Rocky Mountain National Park, offering a dramatic shift from desert landscapes to alpine peaks.
Whether you’re crafting a loop through red rock country or extending your journey into Colorado, Capitol Reef anchors the route with quiet beauty and central convenience.