Cassidy Arch Trail
Trail Overview
Distance: 3.1 mi | Location: Torrey | Best Seasons: Spring, Fall | Elevation Gain: 685 ft | Route Type: Out & Back | Bathrooms @ Trailhead: No
Cassidy Arch Trail is located in Capitol Reef National Park near Torrey, Utah. This is a beautiful hike! With the trail carving a path along the cliff edge, hikers are favored with sweeping views of the park. The final destination is a massive arch cleverly named for Butch Cassidy, a famous outlaw who used the area as a hideout.
When my family hiked this trail our original plan had been to hike Hickman’s Bridge. However, when we got to the parking area we quickly realized it was going to be too crowded for our taste. This caused us to change plans and head for Cassidy Arch. And I will just say Cassidy Arch did not disappoint!
Getting There
From the Visitor Center travel south towards historic Fruita. After about 1.5 miles you will enter the Scenic Drive which requires a park entrance fee. The current fee is:
- $20 per private vehicle
- $15 for motorcyclist
- $10 for individual (foot traffic/bicyclist)
You can either bring cash and pay at the self-pay kiosk at the entrance to the Scenic Drive. There is also the option to get a digital pass through recreation.gov. If you decide to get a digital pass, be sure to do it before reaching the self-pay kiosk. Cell service isn’t great in the park so you may have difficulty accessing the site or downloading the pass. The pass is good for 7 days.
From the self-pay kiosk you will travel another 2 miles until you reach Grand Wash Road. Turn left onto Grand Wash Road and follow it for about 1.3 miles until you reach the parking lot for Cassidy Arch.
Note: Grand Wash Road is a dirt road but is suitable for cars and RVs up to 27 feet in length.
From the parking lot follow the trail about .3 miles until you reach the trailhead for Cassidy Arch on your left-hand side.
Trail Conditions
While I would consider this hike “family friendly” below are some things to be aware of when deciding if your family wants to do this hike.
Steep Elevation Gain
The overall elevation gain of this hike isn’t anything crazy, but the beginning of the trail can be a bit brutal. Once you reach the actual Cassidy Arch trailhead, you climb about 300 feet in elevation in about a tenth of a mile. After that steep climb the trail levels out a bit. You will then gain an additional 300 feet over the remaining mile to the arch.
Given the steep elevation gain, I wouldn’t recommend bringing small children unless you plan on carrying them. As for other kids, I wouldn’t recommend bringing any that are younger than 8-7 years of age if you expect them to hike the whole way. Even then you will want to make sure to take frequent breaks and bring plenty of water.
Sheer Cliffs
A good portion of the trail is atop sheer cliffs. The trail is relatively wide so I never was worried about falling off. But we didn’t allow Madic (our three-year-old) to hike on his own without holding one of our hands. Once you get to the arch, there are additional sudden drop-offs you will want to be cautious of. For some parents, this makes them very nervous so I just want to make you aware. That way you can gauge how well you trust your kids to pay attention to the trail or your ability to keep track of them.
Exposed
This trail is fairly exposed, which is why I recommend hiking it in the spring or fall when the temperatures are cooler. This will also help you avoid the crowded summer season. If you plan on hiking it in the summer try going early in the morning and mid-week if at all possible.
Sweeping Views
One of the absolute best features of this hike are the views; which are afforded to you only because of the elevation gain, sheer cliffs, and exposed trail. This hike is a wonderful way to experience Capitol Reef National Park and provides a unique perspective on its grandeur.
Arch
At the end of the hike, you are rewarded with an up-close and personal view of Cassidy Arch. This arch is unique in that it was eroded away from the cliff face. This provides hikers the opportunity to see the arch from the adjoining cliff and the opportunity to walk on top of the arch. Don’t be nervous about taking your family on top of the arch. It is much wider than it looks than when you are viewing it from across the way.
Things to be aware of
Another reason why this hike is best done in the spring and fall is to avoid Capitol Reef’s monsoon season which is usually between July and September. These summer downpours can create dangerous flash floods. You will want to check the weather forecast before you head to this trail. To do that call (435) 425-3791. Press 1 for more information, and 3 for the daily weather forecast.
When you get about a mile into the hike the Frying Pan Trail branches off and heads up toward Cohab Canyon. The Cassidy Arch Trail will jog to the left over some slick rock. Since there is no longer a dirt trail you are following, some hikers have said that they find this portion of the trail difficult to follow. The best thing to do is to look for and follow the cairns (small rock piles) that outline the trail.
Given the steep elevation gain, I would highly recommend bringing hiking poles, especially if you are carrying a kid on your back. They can be a lifesaver for your knees (and balance) when you are hiking down the steep stairs to the wash.
Enjoy!
Our little family loved this hike and I know yours will too! It was such a neat way to experience the beauty of Capitol Reef National Park and is now one of our favorite memories from our trip.
Be sure to pin this post for your next trip to Capitol Reef. If you are looking for another fun and unique family hike to do while at the park be sure to check out my post on the Sulphur Creek Trail.
Happy adventuring!
