Information
Landmark: Chimney Rock TrailCity: Torrey
Country: USA Utah
Continent: North America
Chimney Rock Trail, Torrey, USA Utah, North America
Overview
Hike the Chimney Rock Trail in Capitol Reef and you’ll climb a short path that ends with a sweeping view of one of the park’s towering red rock formations glowing in the sun.The trail climbs a soft ridge, where you can take in the wide sweep of the Waterpocket Fold, the red-and-gold cliffs, and the vast high desert stretching away under the sun.It’s easier than the park’s long treks, yet it brings you close to Capitol Reef’s layered cliffs and gives you that high, sweeping view over the jagged land.You’ll find the trailhead on Scenic Drive, right by Chimney Rock, where red cliffs rise sharply against the sky.It’s about a 1.5‑mile round‑trip hike with a steady, moderate climb, gentle enough for most visitors-even families with kids in tow.The path curves along the ridge, climbing bit by bit toward the lookout, where the wind smells faintly of pine.From the trail, you can take in sweeping views of Capitol Reef’s cliffs and mesas, their sunlit layers rising like painted stone against the sky.You’re headed for Chimney Rock-a tall, narrow spire of sandstone that juts sharply up from the dusty canyon floor.Red, orange, and white cliffs break up the horizon, while the ridged spine of the Waterpocket Fold winds away toward the far blue haze.At sunrise and again in the late afternoon, the light sharpens the rock’s rugged textures and deepens its warm hues, while long, dark shadows stretch across the ground.Chimney Rock Trail usually feels quieter than the busier paths in the park, with only the crunch of gravel underfoot to keep you company, making it a peaceful spot for reflection.A soft wind drifts by, carrying the faint scent of juniper and sagebrush, and along the trail hikers might catch sight of a lizard darting over sun-warmed stones or a mule deer watching from the brush.From the ridge, sweeping views stretch for miles, yet you can still stand close enough to brush your fingers against the spire-an easy balance of intimacy and grandeur.Hikers often spot tiny things along the trail-thin bands of sediment in the cliffs, hardy shrubs gripping the ridge, and sunlight shifting Chimney Rock’s color from warm gold to deep rust as the hours pass.Come spring, tiny wildflowers scatter across the path, and in winter, frost or a dusting of snow sharpens the warm glow of the sandstone.From above, faint shapes emerge in the distance-hidden alcoves, narrow folds-waiting to be noticed, like shadows tucked into the hills.Chimney Rock Trail packs a lot into a short walk, blending an easy climb with the sight of crimson cliffs glowing in the sun.From the trail’s viewpoint, the spire rises sharp against the horizon, with the desert stretching wide around it, giving visitors a vivid glimpse of the park’s rare rock shapes and sweeping high-desert beauty.
