Capitol Reef 4X4 Tour: Bentonite Hills lunar landscape

A 4X4 gets you past the river ford to terrain most visitors never reach.

A private 4X4 tour of Capitol Reef National Park's northern district takes you through the Bentonite Hills and Waterpocket Fold in a closed vehicle with a professional driver-guide. The Fremont River crossing requires high clearance, which is why this landscape stays uncrowded. Bottled water and snacks are included. The tour runs three hours over rough, bumpy roads. Photographers and drone users get extended time at each stop. Hiking options and lower Cathedral Valley are available on extended tours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Capitol Reef's unique landscapes

• See rainbow hills in northern Capitol Reef
• Drive through Waterpocket Fold

The experience

The Bentonite Hills sit in Capitol Reef's northern district, a terrain of rainbow-colored rock that looks more like Mars than Utah. Most visitors never see it because reaching it means fording the Fremont River, which stops standard vehicles cold. A high-clearance 4X4 is the only way through, and that's what keeps the crowds out. You ride in a closed vehicle with a professional guide who handles the driving and the route, so you can focus on the landscape instead of the road.

The tour covers the Waterpocket Fold and the northern Bentonite Hills over three hours of rough terrain. Photographers and drone enthusiasts get time to set up shots at each stop. The bumpy roads mean this is not a smooth ride, but they're what make the geology visible. Bottled water and snacks are provided. Hiking is available nearby, and if you want to reach lower Cathedral Valley, that requires one of the operator's longer tours.

What’s included

• Professional driver-guide.
• bottled water.
• snacks.
• hotel pickup.
• access to the northern Bentonite Hills and Waterpocket Fold via high-clearance 4X4 vehicle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to4h before

AgesUp to 80 years

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Capitol Reef Outfitters

Is this one for you?The rough, bumpy roads are what unlock access to terrain most visitors cannot reach, but they mean you'll be jostled around for the full three hours. Choose this tour if you want the remote landscape and don't mind an off-road ride. If you prefer smooth pavement, the main Capitol Reef loop is more comfortable.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What makes the Bentonite Hills hard to reach?

The Fremont River crossing requires a high-clearance 4X4 vehicle to ford safely. Standard cars cannot make it, which is why this part of Capitol Reef stays less crowded than the main park roads.

How much time do photographers get to shoot?

The tour is built around stops in the Bentonite Hills and Waterpocket Fold, with extended time at each location for photos and drone work. Three hours total allows for multiple setups across the rainbow-colored terrain.

What's included in the tour?

Bottled water and snacks are provided. The professional guide drives the 4X4, so you're a passenger throughout. Hotel pickup is included.

Can I hike on this tour?

Hiking options exist close to the main route, but the standard tour focuses on the 4X4 drive through the Bentonite Hills. Lower Cathedral Valley requires one of the operator's extended tours.

How rough is the terrain?

The roads are rough and bumpy. That's what keeps standard vehicles out and makes the geology visible. The operator notes this is not recommended for anyone wanting to avoid being jostled around, and pregnant travelers or those with back problems should use their own discretion.