Backpacking Halls Creek Narrows - Capitol Reef National Park, March 2026

[Mikjik86]

This is a 3 day Backpacking trip in The Halls Creek Narrows section of Capitol Reef National Park.

Day 1 we drove West into Utah to the Capitol Reef Visitors Center where we picked up our permit. There are still no limits on the available permits for backpacking Halls Creek Narrows. It was the weekend after the Spring time change as well as Spring Break which made the visitors Center much busier than our previous trip 7 years prior. We grabbed our permits and headed South along the Notom Bullfrog road to the Halls Creek Overlook Trailhead. The drive takes roughly 1-2 hours depending on speed and skill. The majority of the road is suitable for any type of vehicle, yet the last 2 miles require decent clearance and most likely 4 wheel drive.

Once at the trailhead we gathered our gear, signed the registry, and headed off. The plan for the day was to hike roughly 9-11 miles to find camp for the night. The hike starts by dropping down into the Waterpocket Fold and then hiking South through the washes and meadows. We decided to camp at the opening of The Halls Creek Narrows loop where we camped on our last trip. The hike is roughly 9 miles to the start of the narrows loop, 4 miles through the narrows, and then another 9 back out the way you came. Night #1 was fantastic as we enjoyed the sunset and the surrounding glowing walls.

Day 2 we changed plans and packed up camp, headed down the narrows less than a mile and set up camp under one off the largest overhangs I have ever seen in my life. Years back we wanted to camp at this spot and did not. This truly might have been my favorite backpacking desert camping site of my life. Truly Spectacular! Once camp was set up we grabbed day packs, hiked the Narrows loop and then back to camp. We enjoyed a wonderful evening with the Narrows to ourselves.

Day 3 we packed up camp and hiked the 10 miles back to the car. We had fantastic weather with lows in the high 30's, and daytime highs barely reaching into the 70's. I had great company with Dom, Chris, and Cam. The hike overall was around 25 miles, with a lot of sand walking, water through the narrows, and the 800 foot initial drop in to the Waterpocket Fold. Of course we grabbed burgers at Stan's Burger Shak in Hanksville on the way home.

I hope you enjoy this video, and as always thanks for watching!

Safe Trails!

 

[Janice]

I'm hoping to do this trip sometime in the future. I'd like to watch your video, but it's not available - it says, "Video unavailable This video is restricted. It must be approved for you to view it." If you're able to change the settings, that would be great.

 

[Mikjik86]

I'm hoping to do this trip sometime in the future. I'd like to watch your video, but it's not available - it says, "Video unavailable This video is restricted. It must be approved for you to view it." If you're able to change the settings, that would be great.

Hello Janice and thanks for your interest in checking out this video. I tried to google a solution and it seems like you might have to change your viewing settings to allow for restricted videos. I have nothing in the video offensive but I do think the f word is used once. I try to avoid any profanity yet one slipped through. I haven't heard about anyone else having issues watching the video yet. Try changing your settings on Youtube and let me know I that helps.

 

[Janice]

I don't care one bit about the f word - comes out of my mouth every time I hear about current events. For your video, I can't even click on it to get into youtube; the message I'm seeing is here on BCP. Maybe I need to change some setting in BCP??? I just searched on youtube and couldn't find a recent Halls Creek Narrows video. Maybe it would work to provide a link again or in a separate message? No worries if this doesn't work, but if you don't mind trying again that would be great.

 

[Bob]

This what I get when I click on it:

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If I click the arrow in lower left of screen it sends me to utube

I am thinking you didnt get it uploaded correctly to BCP. I dont upload many videos so I dont know.

 

[Janice]

Thanks, @Bob. I just tried it on my phone vs laptop and had no trouble opening it. One of many things with technology that is a mystery to me. Anyway, I look forward to watching it tomorrow!