Quick Stats
Creation Date
December 18, 1971
Entrance Fee
$5 per vehicle per week
Time Zone
Mountain (GMT-6 Daylight, GMT-7 Standard)
Lowest Elevation
3,877 feet at Hall's Creel
Highest Elevation
8,960 feet near Billings Pass
Lowest Average Temp
18°F in January
Record Low Temp
-17°F in 1989
Highest Average Temp
85°F in July
Record High Temp
96°F in 2002
Park Creation Timeline
1937
On August 2, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the proclamation creating Capitol Reef National Monument.
1971
On December 18, 1971, President Richard Nixon signs the bill redesignating the now much larger monument a national park.
Animals and Plants
The Fruita area's water and vegetation attract mule deer in large numbers, as well as other animals not normally found in this area, such as beavers and yellow bellied marmots. Other mammals include bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and coyotes.
Lizards are very common all over the park. Several snake species, only one of which is venomous, the midget faded rattlesnake, are present as well. The NPS has prepared a
complete species list.
A large number of bird species can be observed as well, the most common of which being the highly adaptive and intelligent raven. The NPS has prepared a
complete species list.
The park supports over 800 species of plants, an amazing diversity given the arid climate. Everything from sagebrush and cactus along the desert floor to bristlecone pine at the highest elevations can be found. Most of the park lies in between, where juniper woodlands and grasslands dominate.
Capitol Reef National Park
Info at (435) 425-3791
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