AtlasFruita District

Sulphur Creek

verified ACA 2C Unknown flood risk Torrey, UT
Sulphur Creek
Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A one way walk down the creek from the Sulphur Creek trailhead to the Capitol Reef visitor center, 5.5 miles with three waterfalls in the way and no rope needed.

Top down and one way, so it takes a shuttle or a hitch back up Highway 24. The usual arrangement is a car left in the dirt area across from the visitor center. From the trailhead a dirt path drops down an embankment into a dry wash running mostly due south; once you reach Sulphur Creek, expect to hike in water. The two mid canyon waterfalls go at easy third class scrambling, and the lower one is generally taken by sliding down the water slide. Near the end you can stay in the river or cut out on the Lime Kiln trail and walk past the historic kilns. Permits are not required to hike Sulphur Creek, though the park entrance fee still applies.

Logistics

ManagerNPS Capitol Reef National Park
PermitNo permit required for this non technical creek walk. Standard Capitol Reef National Park entrance fee applies for park recreation.
Distance5.5 mi
Technical0 rappels, longest 0 ft
SeasonSpring; Summer; Fall
Vehicle accessPassenger
Coordinates38.315, -111.3044

Sources