Capitol Reef Weather: Forecast and Month-by-Month Averages

Live forecasts from the National Weather Service. Monthly averages are NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals. Check the NPS alerts page for road and trail closures.

Cathedral Valley, Capitol Reef National Park — Cathedral Valley.Photo: Brady Stoeltzing / Unsplash

In shortCapitol Reef is an arid, high-desert park with hot summers, cold winters, and only about 8 inches of precipitation a year, most of it from summer monsoon storms. Elevations range from 3,880 ft where Halls Creek leaves the park to 8,960 ft in the Thousand Lake Mountain area, so weather varies widely across the park. The table represents the visitor center and Fruita area (about 5,500 ft).

Planning for October at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center (5,500 ft): 66°F days, 43°F nights, 0.9 in of precipitation. Expect it about 5°F colder at Torrey (6,830 ft).

Capitol Reef forecast by area

Weather changes a lot with elevation here, so check the forecast for where you are actually going. Each forecast covers the National Weather Service grid square around that spot.

Capitol Reef Visitor Center and Fruita 5,500 ft

Matches the table; the Scenic Drive and the Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge canyon roads start here and are prone to flash floods.

The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for Capitol Reef Visitor Center and Fruita.

Torrey (west gateway) 6,830 ft

About 1,300 ft higher than Fruita, so usually several degrees cooler, with more winter snow.

The live 7-day forecast loads here. You can also open the National Weather Service forecast for Torrey (west gateway).

How elevation changes the weather in Capitol Reef

Estimated average high and low for each area in October, highest first. Air cools about 3.5°F for every 1,000 feet you climb, so the same day can feel like two different seasons. Change the month in the packing picks below to update these numbers.

6,830 ftTorrey61° / 38°
5,500 ftCapitol Reef Visitor Center and Fruita66° / 43°

Estimates based on the long-term average at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center (5,500 ft). Check the live forecast for each area above before you go.

Average weather in Capitol Reef by month

Monthly averages for CAPITOL REEF NP, UT (5,500 ft), NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals. About 8 inches of precipitation a year.
Month	Avg high	Avg low	Precipitation	Snowfall
January	41°F	20°F	0.6 in	3.8 in
February	47°F	26°F	0.5 in	1.5 in
March	57°F	34°F	0.5 in	1.7 in
April	65°F	39°F	0.5 in	0.2 in
May	74°F	48°F	0.7 in	0.0 in
June	86°F	58°F	0.3 in	0.0 in
July	91°F	65°F	1.0 in	0.0 in
August	88°F	63°F	1.1 in	0.0 in
September	80°F	55°F	0.9 in	0.0 in
October	66°F	43°F	0.9 in	0.0 in
November	51°F	30°F	0.5 in	1.5 in
December	40°F	21°F	0.4 in	2.2 in

These are long-term averages at one station. Higher areas of the park are colder, and any single year can be much warmer, colder, wetter or drier.

Capitol Reef weather month by month

Capitol Reef in January

41°F / 20°F. The coldest month, with highs near 41°F and lows near 20°F. Light snow is possible and can make unpaved roads impassable.

Capitol Reef in February

47°F / 26°F. Cool days in the upper 40s°F and freezing nights. Snow or ice can close the Scenic Drive and canyon spur roads for a time.

Capitol Reef in March

57°F / 34°F. Highs near 57°F and nights near freezing. Spring busy season begins, and Fruita Campground is often full from mid-March.

Capitol Reef in April

65°F / 39°F. Pleasant hiking weather, with highs around 65°F. The historic Fruita orchards bloom in spring; trailhead lots often fill by 10 a.m.

Capitol Reef in May

74°F / 48°F. Warm days in the mid-70s°F and mild nights. A good month for hiking before summer heat arrives.

Capitol Reef in June

86°F / 58°F. Hot, with highs around 86°F and little shade. Hike early or late, and carry at least a gallon of water per person per day.

Capitol Reef in July

91°F / 65°F. The hottest month, averaging about 91°F. Monsoon storms often build after noon and can cause flash floods in canyons and washes.

Capitol Reef in August

88°F / 63°F. Hot and the wettest month. Avoid Grand Wash, Capitol Gorge, and other narrow canyons when storms are possible.

Capitol Reef in September

80°F / 55°F. Highs near 80°F and the start of fall busy season. Monsoon storms and flash floods are still possible.

Capitol Reef in October

66°F / 43°F. Comfortable days in the mid-60s°F, and cottonwoods along the Fremont River turn yellow. Late monsoon storms can still occur early in the month.

Capitol Reef in November

51°F / 30°F. Cooler, with highs near 51°F and freezing nights. Crowds thin, and winter visitor center hours begin late in the month.

Capitol Reef in December

40°F / 21°F. Cold, with highs near 40°F and lows near 21°F. Snow is light but can hide drop-offs on trails and close unpaved roads.

Weather hazards to plan for

Flash floods in narrow canyons like Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge, most often July through September; storms miles away can flood washes under sunny skies.
Scenic Drive dips and SR 24 can flood with mud and debris, and cleanup can leave roads impassable for hours or days.
Summer heat in the 90s°F with little shade; heat exhaustion is a real risk on midday hikes.
Snow, ice, and mud can close the Scenic Drive, Grand Wash, and Capitol Gorge roads and make 2WD dirt roads impassable.
Unreliable cell service, so check forecasts and flash-flood ratings before heading out.

What to pack for Capitol Reef, based on the weather

Gear picked from Capitol Reef's average weather for the month you choose. Packing for

October: average high 66°F, low 43°F, 0.9 in of precipitation.

Sleeping bags rated 25–39°F

Nights average 43°F at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center, and higher campgrounds run colder. A bag rated about 10°F below the low keeps you warm.

Shop at Coleman

Camp stoves

With nights near 43°F, hot meals and drinks make mornings much easier. Stoves are usually allowed even when campfires are banned.

Shop at Coleman

Coolers

Keep food sealed and cold at camp.

Shop at Coleman

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Capitol Reef weather questions

What is the weather like in Capitol Reef in October?

October averages a high of about 66°F and a low of about 43°F at the visitor center. It is usually dry and pleasant, with fall color along the Fremont River, though an occasional late-season storm is possible.

Does it snow in Capitol Reef?

Yes, but usually not much at the visitor center, about 11 inches a year on average, mostly from November through March. Snow and ice can still close the Scenic Drive and unpaved roads.

When is monsoon season in Capitol Reef?

Summer monsoon storms usually run July through September, and NPS notes flash-flood season can stretch from mid-June to mid-October. Storms often build after noon, and less than half an inch of rain in an hour can cause a flash flood.

How hot does it get in Capitol Reef?

July is the hottest month, averaging about 91°F at the visitor center, and summer highs often reach the 90s°F with little shade. Hike early or late and carry plenty of water.

What is the best month to visit Capitol Reef for weather?

April, May, September, and October usually have the most comfortable temperatures, with highs from the mid-60s to about 80°F. These are also the busiest months, so arrive early for trailhead parking.

Capitol Reef National ParkFees, hours, maps, where to stay and a first-day plan.Open the Capitol Reef guide