The Trek in a snapshot
Location
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Managing Agency
Capitol Reef National Park
Pets
Not allowed
Fees
There are entrance fees into the area where Golden Throne is located
Restrooms
Yes. Pit style, located at the trailhead
Camping
Not allowed
Trail Condition
Good dirt trail with many cairns to provide navigation. Lots of stairs and steps at the beginning
Sights
Golden Throne, many incredible vantage points of the beautiful scenery
Water Info
Bring 2-3 liters of water
Best Season
Spring, fall and winter. Summer is not OK – it is very hot
Distance
3.6 miles roundtrip
Time Required
3-4 hours
Parking Elevation
5416 ft
Summit Elevation
6107 ft
Elevation Difference
691 ft
Trek Planner Maps
Parking: 38.20959, -111.16944
Trail End: 38.21439, -111.18726
Golden Throne: 38.21885, -111.1846
Experience. Discover. Explore.
Follow along on our adventure then go out on your own!
This trail has the same trailhead as the Pioneer Register and Tanks trail, but it’s on the west side of the parking lot. I enjoyed hiking to the Golden Throne, because the trail quickly rises and brings you to many impressive overlooks of this incredible national park. The trail goes right along the cliffside (nothing dangerous) and keeps going in and out of these very short canyons.
It’s worth mentioning that you don’t actually climb to the top of Golden Throne or even to the base of it, you just hike to a spot where you get a really great view of it.
This hike really isn’t that difficult. The trail gradually gains elevation and there really aren’t any steep parts. The trail is easy to see and there are plenty of cairns to show you where to go.
The trail follows right along on top of the cliffs and you can see the road down below.
I was surprised by how many wildflowers were on this hike!
Like I mentioned above, you will not be going inside any of these side canyons, so if you feel like the trail is leading you into a canyon, come back out of it and try and find the cairns that mark the path. I almost went off trail a few times because I kept following these dry washes that I thought were the trail.
Feel free to download my map and use it as a guide if you would like.
Capitol Reef has quickly risen to be one of my top 3 favorite national parks in Utah. To me, it seems like this park has the most geologically interesting viewpoints and overlooks. You will see tall sandstone mountains and deeply cut valleys and large boulders all over the place. I love the messiness of Capitol Reef.
You will be hiking 1.8 miles to the Golden Throne. It’s not difficult but if you were silly like me and hiked this in the middle of the day in the middle of the summer, you will need to bring almost double the water, which I did.
Eventually, you will see a sign that points you to Golden Throne.
You can’t get much closer to it, but it makes me wonder how difficult it would be to climb to the top of it.
Golden Throne in all its glory!
Personal Thoughts
I can see why this hike doesn't see many visitors. Even though I thought this hike was a great one, it probably isn't one of my favorite in Capitol Reef National Park. There are lots more hikes with far more interesting things to see, but this is a good one if you want to do something different!
