Are you looking for the best hotels near Capitol Reef National Park? Perfect! We’re going to show you the 8 top rated hotels available to you, including cheap, mid range and more expensive Capitol Reef hotel options.
Instead of trawling through randomly listed hotel search engine results, use our research and data driven guide to find the best hotels near Capitol Reef for your visit based on location, value, previous guest ratings and our own experiences.
Here’s how we will break down the best hotels around Capitol Reef National Park to help you find the perfect place to stay:
- The best place to stay near Capitol Reef
- Popular things to do in Capitol Reef National Park
- 10 best Capitol Reef hotels
Let’s find you the perfect Capitol Reef National Park hotel for your trip to Utah!
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Our Experience In Capitol Reef
We visited Capitol Reef as part of our very first 3 month US road trip.
After spending time in Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Salt Lake City, we drove south for the Utah Mighty 5 and Capitol Reef was our first Utah national park.
We were genuinely surprised by how much we enjoyed Capitol Reef because there is typically less of a buzz or hype around this park when compared to the other Utah parks.
Capitol Reef is quiet, easy to get around and has some really fun hiking trails for the whole family. In fact, we would say it is arguably the most family friendly park in Utah.
What Is The Best Place To Stay For Capitol Reef National Park?
The best place to stay for visiting Capitol Reef National Park is the small nearby town of Torrey, Utah which is just 10.5 miles from Capitol Reef National Park visitor center in Fruita.
Torrey is the closest place you can stay to Capitol Reef and it has a really great selection of quality hotels, inns and unique guesthouses.
You can be inside park boundaries within minutes after leaving Torrey and there are a handful of excellent places to eat, which makes it the perfect base for Capitol Reef.
Where To Stay Near Capitol Reef National Park
Torrey is the closest and best place to stay near Capitol Reef, but what are you other options if Torrey doesn’t work for your plans?
1. Hanksville – If you are leaving Capitol Reef after a long day and heading northeast for Goblin Valley or Moab, you could spend a night in Hanksville. This would allow you to do sunrise at Goblin Valley and then get to Arches and Canyonlands with plenty of daylight remaining.
2. Escalante – If you visit Capitol Reef in 6-8 hours and leave to drive south on scenic byway 12 heading for Bryce Canyon, you could spend a night in Escalante on the way. The small town of Escalante is also close to several amazing off the beaten path adventures in Grand Staircase Escalante.
In this guide we will feature hotels in Torrey as the best options for Capitol Reef, but later in the guide we will list the top rated hotels in Hanksville and Escalante.
Capitol Reef National Park Lodging
There are no national park run lodges or accommodations inside Capitol Reef National Park.
You can stay at Fruita campground in the heart of Capitol Reef, but there are limited spaces and it is very popular so you need to book in advance.
Having no park run lodges may feel disappointing at first but a positive spin is that it eliminates any decision for you to make when considering where to stay in Capitol Reef.
Park run lodges are often far more expensive than nearby hotels, so you will save money by staying in Torrey.
What Are The Best Hotels Near Capitol Reef National Park?
The term best can be interpreted in several ways and it has a different meaning for everyone.
Does best simply mean the highest rated? The highest quality? What about price and location?
In this guide we strive for inclusivity when we show you our version of the best hotels. Our list is based on the highest guest ratings and our own experiences but crucially we include every budget category so that every type of traveler can find the best hotel available.
Are you curious about the best hotels near Capitol Reef based purely on ratings?
Here are the top 3 hotels near Capitol Reef according to thousands of reviews from several popular online sources (with at least 100 authentic guest reviews – correct as of July 2023 but subject to frequent changes):
Booking
Hotels (Expedia)
Tripadvisor
As you can see, Skyview Hotel and Cougar Ridge Resort are the top two hotels near Capitol Reef according to Booking, Hotels and Google previous guest ratings.
They are both fantastic options for your trip to Capitol Reef but they are also the two most expensive places to stay near the park.
Remember, ratings are good to use as a guide but they are subjective and will fluctuate over time. Look for hotels with high scores and a high number of ratings. That is the sign of a quality hotel.
One thing to note is that hotels with the best ratings often translate to hotels with the highest nightly cost. And that is why we do not simply list hotels with the highest ratings in our guides.
Things To Do In Capitol Reef National Park
So what can you do if you decide to spend a night or two at a hotel near Capitol Reef?
Let’s take a look at what is in store for your visit:
- Explore Fruita barn and Gifford Homestead
- Head out onto the Capitol Reef scenic drive
- See the Fremont petroglyphs
- Find the best Capitol Reef photo spots
- Hike to Hickman Bridge
- Head up to sunset point at dusk
- Hike to Cassidy Arch
Capitol Reef isn’t as adventurous as Zion or as uniquely photogenic as Bryce Canyon, but it is hugely underrated and very easy to visit. Hickman Bridge and Cassidy Arch both made our list of best hikes in Utah.
We really enjoyed our day in Capitol Reef and can’t wait to go back to get further off the beaten path. Being able to explore a Utah national park with so few people around is a real treat!
Want to see the best of Capitol Reef? Here’s our popular guide to the 22 best things to do in Capitol Reef National Park on our sister site Where Are Those Morgans to read next.
Are Hotels Near Capitol Reef National Park Expensive?
Hotels near Capitol Reef National Park are priced around exactly what you would expect to pay for being on the doorstep to an abundance of outdoor activities.
Cheaper hotels in Torrey are going to cost you around $130 – $150 per night and more expensive hotels in Torrey are going to cost upwards of $250 per night depending on the day and month you book.
There isn’t an enormous amount of difference in hotel costs between seasons but you will find prices go up at hotels near Capitol Reef on weekends when compared to weekdays.
With that said, there are two important things we want to make you aware of before booking your hotel near Capitol Reef National Park.
1. Hotel Tax In Capitol Reef
The first thing you should bear in mind when booking hotels near Capitol Reef is “Hotel Tax“, which is officially known as Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).
Torrey is located in Wayne County, Utah which levies 10.67% hotel tax on all stays, no matter how you book your room.
So let’s say a cheap room costs $100 for one night in a Capitol Reef hotel, your total cost is going to be $110.67
- When booking your hotel using Booking.com look under the price for “includes taxes and fees“. This means the price you see is final and will not be subject to further add ons.
- Conversely, if you see text reading something like “+$30 for taxes and fees“, that means you will pay the hotel room cost + the additional 10.67% fee for bed tax and other fees.
This is something to be aware of so you avoid any nasty surprises when you come to pay!
2. Seasonality In Capitol Reef
Capitol Reef National Park has a peak season and an off season:
- Peak season in Capitol Reef consists of the late spring, summer and early fall months between May and October.
- Off season in Capitol Reef is made up of the colder winter season months from November through April.
We visited Capitol Reef in October and the park was much quieter than we expected. It was easy to get around, hikes weren’t busy and hotels had loads of availability.
What does this mean for booking hotels around Capitol Reef?
Well, it means seasonality can play a small role in hotel availability and affordability for your visit.
You stand a better chance of picking up a lower nightly rate if you book a Capitol Reef hotel in winter or the shoulder months. Hotels near Capitol Reef National Park are especially cheap in January and February.
We highly recommend booking in advance to save money on hotels near Capitol Reef, particularly if you plan to visit in the busier summer months.
Capitol Reef National Park Hotels Map
Let’s take a quick look at an interactive Google Map showing the locations of the 8 best hotels near Capitol Reef featured in this guide.
Map Key:
- Green icons – Cheap hotels near Capitol Reef
- Red icons – Mid range budget hotels near Capitol Reef
- Blue icons – Expensive hotels near Capitol Reef
Note: We have drawn borders around the major touristy area of Capitol Reef National Park, as well as around Torrey, Utah.
Click or touch the map of Capitol Reef hotels to activate.
Zoom in and out, move around the Capitol Reef area and see exactly where each lodging option is located.
8 Best Hotels Near Capitol Reef National Park
OK, let’s take a look at each of the best hotels around Capitol Reef.
We have hand picked the top 8 Capitol Reef hotels by compiling and comparing previous guest ratings, location and value for money.
Hotels are listed in order of average nightly cost within three price range categories; cheap, mid range and expensive.
You will find 2 x cheap hotels, 4 x mid range hotels and 2 x expensive hotels.
Look out for the location (and distance) from Capitol Reef Fruita Visitor Center included with each lodging option.
Let’s kick things off with the best cheap hotels in Capitol Reef National Park!
1. Rim Rock Inn
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 7.8 / 10
- Google – 4.1 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, on site restaurant and bar
- Location: Northeast of Torrey (7.7 miles to Fruita)
Rim Rock Inn is the cheapest hotel near Capitol Reef National Park. You can book a budget room at the inn or for a little extra you can book a detached cabin which would work much better for light sleepers.
Reviewers rate location the highest at Rim Rock Inn. The on site restaurant has lots of positive comments and the inn is actually located half way between Torrey and Capitol Reef. This is definitely one to consider for those visiting the park on a shoestring budget.
>> Book Hotel: Rim Rock Inn
2. The Noor Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.0 / 10
- Google – 4.1 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, mini market, free coffee, on site restaurant
- Location: Northeast of Torrey (8.2 miles to Fruita)
The Noor Hotel is a great alternative cheap hotel near Capitol Reef with slightly higher ratings and more of a typical hotel chain feel. The on site Mexican restaurant has lots of positive comments and the rooms look very comfortable.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at The Noor Hotel. Every room has access to a shared balcony with stunning views over the red rock landscape. This is another hotel to consider if you are trying to keep costs down on a longer national park road trip.
>> Book Hotel: The Noor Hotel
3. Broken Spur Inn
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.6 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, free breakfast, fire pits, on site steakhouse restaurant, laundry, indoor swimming pool and hot tub
- Location: Torrey (9.8 miles to Fruita)
Broken Spur Inn is one of the most popular places to stay near Capitol Reef National Park. It has thousands of reviews, excellent ratings and affordable prices. The hotel and steakhouse are open from March through November. You can use the pool and hot tub after a long day hiking in the park.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Broken Spur Inn. With a free breakfast, great rooms and excellent scores across the board, we think Broken Spur Inn is one of the very best Capitol Reef hotels at affordable rates and it should definitely be on your shortlist.
>> Book Hotel: Broken Spur Inn
4. Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.9 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, on site restaurant and bar, sun terrace, outdoor swimming pool, hot tub
- Location: Torrey (10.9 miles to Fruita)
Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel is a highly rated mid range hotel near Capitol Reef. The motel style lodging is available with traditional rooms or cabins equipped with kitchens perfect for those staying longer in the area who want to keep dining costs down.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel. It takes a clean sweep across the board with especially positive comments about the friendly staff.
>> Book Hotel: Austin’s Chuckwagon Motel
5. Capitol Reef Resort
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.1 / 10
- Google – 4.3 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, outdoor pool and hot tub, breakfast available (extra), fitness center, on site restaurant, laundry, BBQ facilities and fire pits
- Location: Northeast of Torrey (7.6 miles to Fruita)
Capitol Reef Resort is a popular mid range resort style hotel near Capitol Reef National Park. It has plenty of amenities for the whole family to use and it has solid ratings at reasonable nightly rates.
Reviewers rate comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at Capitol Reef Resort. You can book rooms with a view or simply soak up the magic right from the outdoor swimming pool and hot tub area.
>> Book Hotel: Capitol Reef Resort
6. Red Sands Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.7 / 10
- Google – 4.3 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, indoor heated pool and hot tub, laundry, on site restaurant and bar, small gym, fire pits
- Location: East of Torrey (10.1 miles to Fruita)
Red Sands Hotel is a highly rated Capitol Reef hotel with heavily fluctuating prices throughout the year. If you can get a room at a cheaper nightly rate of around $150, this hotel could be a fantastic option for your visit to the park.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Red Sands Hotel. It has a great pool, hot tub and spa area with a stunning view but you will need to grab breakfast in town before heading into the park.
>> Book Hotel: Red Sands Hotel
7. Skyview Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.8 / 10
- Google – 5 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, breakfast available, rooftop terrace for stargazing, rooms with private hot tubs, pet friendly
- Location: West of Torrey (11.9 miles to Fruita)
Skyview Hotel is one of the best and most unique places to stay near Capitol Reef with near perfect reviews and several fantastic sleeping options. You can sleep in a premium glamping style crystal shaped tent with skylight or an upscale hotel room with private hot tub. Both look amazing!
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities, value for money and location the highest at Skyview Hotel. It has exceptional scores and comments about art installations, milky way views from the roof, design and so much more. This is the Capitol Reef hotel with the highest ratings.
>> Book Hotel: Skyview Hotel
8. Cougar Ridge
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.4 / 10
- Google – 4.9 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, wonderful breakfast included, bike rental, pool table, hot tub, sauna, bowling lanes, fitness center, BBQ
- Location: South of Torrey (11.4 miles to Fruita)
Cougar Ridge is a luxurious ranch style hotel near Capitol Reef National Park offering top quality rooms and casita-style villas. Comments and reviews are extremely positive about the breakfast, service and various farm animals on site.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Cougar Ridge. It has sky high scores across the board and is another unique place stay near the park. Prices here tend to be higher but the villas are stunning and perfect for families.
>> Book Hotel: Cougar Ridge
Best Alternatives
If hotels in Torrey are full or have limited availability due to booking last minute, you can look at other nearby towns and alter your itinerary to suit.
Here are the top rated hotels in Hanksville (heading for Goblin Valley and Moab) and Escalante (heading for Bryce Canyon and Zion):
Hanksville
Escalante
- Cowboy Country Inn
- Canyon Country Lodge
- The Inn Of Escalante
- Slot Canyon Inn B+B
- Escalante Yurts Luxury Glamping
Best Hotels In Capitol Reef FAQ’s
Let’s take a quick look at some of the most frequently asked questions about places to stay in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.
What is the best cheap hotel near Capitol Reef?
Rim Rock Inn is a great low budget lodging option near Capitol Reef with cozy cabins available at affordable prices. We also like The Noor Hotel with a more traditional hotel feel at cheaper rates for the Torrey area.
What is the best luxury hotel near Capitol Reef?
Cougar Ridge with its upscale farm-style villas is one of the best luxury hotels near Capitol Reef but we also love the ultra-modern and luxurious Skyview Hotel with its stylish rooms and plush glamping options.
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We hope this guide to the best hotels near Capitol Reef helps with planning your visit to Utah!
Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the hotels in our list of best places to stay around Capitol Reef National Park by commenting below.
Happy Booking,
Mark and Kristen
Best Hotels Anywhere
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