Uploaded October 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
The Rim Overlook/Navajo Knobs Trail is the longest maintained hiking path in Capitol Reef National Park, at 4.9 miles, and has the greatest elevation gain, 1,600 feet, nearly all of which is achieved gradually, without any particularly steep sections, since the path ascends at a constant gradient of around 15%, the same angle as the strata in the reef. The route follows the reddish Kayenta sandstone layer nearly all of this distance, along the north side of the Fremont River valley, climbing to the overlaying Navajo sandstone right at the end, at the summit of a minor dome which gives a 360 degree view across the park.
Half way along, the trail passes an intermediate viewpoint, Rim Overlook, 1,000 feet above Fruita, Sulphur Creek and the river, and this is the turnaround point for the majority of hikers, though it is well worth continuing at least another 0.4 miles, to a similar though slightly better overlook; after here the path detours around two sides of a wide basin, initially fairly level, before ascending more steeply to the final summit.
There is no shade along the whole trail, and no water, so the hike is best avoided during the hot summer months. The trailhead is shared with that for the shorter and much more popular path to Hickman Bridge.
“Chris Collins, indiemusicbox.com”
The Rim Overlook/Navajo Knobs Trail is the longest maintained hiking path in Capitol Reef National Park, at 4.9 miles, and has the greatest elevation gain, 1,600 feet, nearly all of which is achieved gradually, without any particularly steep sections, since the path ascends at a constant gradient of around 15%, the same angle as the strata in the reef. The route follows the reddish Kayenta sandstone layer nearly all of this distance, along the north side of the Fremont River valley, climbing to the overlaying Navajo sandstone right at the end, at the summit of a minor dome which gives a 360 degree view across the park.
Half way along, the trail passes an intermediate viewpoint, Rim Overlook, 1,000 feet above Fruita, Sulphur Creek and the river, and this is the turnaround point for the majority of hikers, though it is well worth continuing at least another 0.4 miles, to a similar though slightly better overlook; after here the path detours around two sides of a wide basin, initially fairly level, before ascending more steeply to the final summit.
There is no shade along the whole trail, and no water, so the hike is best avoided during the hot summer months. The trailhead is shared with that for the shorter and much more popular path to Hickman Bridge.
“Chris Collins, indiemusicbox.com”
