31 May 2021 Hanksville to Torrey Utah

 We left Hanksville behind and headed for Torrey (Only 1.5 hour drive), just outside Capitol Reef NP. We had to drive through a portion of the park along the Fremont River on the way. We are staying at Thousand Lakes RV Park ($40.40 per night, no discount) on the west side of Torrey. The road through the park was pretty bumpy and felt very narrow. But the view was wonderful with towering cliffs on both sides of the road. After getting set up, we drove back to the park and stopped at Panorama Point before going to the visitor center. As with many other parks, the exhibits and movie were still closed due to Covid, but the bookstore was open. So we stopped in to get some post cards and David’s park hat. We stopped to speak with the ranger to get some hiking information but she was not very helpful. But we got the scoop on getting Gifford House Pies from another ranger. We then drove the scenic drive into the park. The cliff faces were very imposing, towering and had so many colors in them. We took the road until the pavement ended and we continued on the dirt road into Capitol Gorge. The cliffs hung over us as we negotiated the narrow gorge to the end of the road before turning around and heading back. 

View from our campsite in Torrey

Driving through Capitol Gorge

Entering Capitol Gorge

The Capitol Reef

More Capitol Reef

And even more Capitol Reef

Entrance sign