Cohab Canyon and Fruita Overlooks

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Staying in Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park has many rewards, but one is the close proximity of several trailheads leading out of the oasis and into the surrounding canyons. One of the best is the Cohab Canyon Trail, which starts right across the road from the campground entrance. This rewarding hike is challenging at first, but it has tremendous views and scenery as a reward.

From the trailhead, the climbing begins with a number of short switchbacks that head straight up the canyon wall, giving increasingly broad views back down to the campground, picnic area, and all of Fruita. After about a third of a mile the mouth of Cohab Canyon is reached, and the trail turns sharply left and down the dry canyon bottom.

From here the trail is delightful, with amazing and ever-changing rock shapes and colors. In the distance the white and yellow peaks and domes north of Highway 24 are always visible, and the walls of the canyon display an amazing amount of "Swiss cheese" erosion.

At the 1-mile point you'll encounter a spur going left higher and up the canyon wall. This leads to two viewpoints overlooking the Fremont River, Fruita village, and the cliffs and peaks to the northeast and northwest.

After visiting Fruita Overlook North and Fruita Overlook South, return to the trailhead to complete a 3-mile there-and-back hike. Great fresh-baked pies and ice cream can be purchased at the Gifford House gift shop near the trailhead. - Entry by Denis LeBlanc, Outdoor Project