Cassidy Canyon
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| | Difficulty:3A II (v3a1 II) Raps:8, max ↨140ft
Red Tape:Permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 14 Sep 2025
"Quick run through Cassidy Arch, if going on a weekend plan/expect the potential for a significant number of groups in the canyon. The Canyon itself is |
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| Best season: | Any
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38.2611, -111.2256
38.2637, -111.2158
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Introduction[edit]
One of the best, and most popular, canyons in Capitol Reef National Park. For the first rappel, use permanent bolt anchors 20 feet down canyon from the tree used in the past. For more information, visit: http://www.americancanyoneers.org/utah/cassidy-arch-canyon/
A short approach hike on an established trail, dramatic rappels including three raps through arches, minimal downclimbing, a short exit hike, bolted anchors, mostly shady even in high summer - all the makings of a classic!
Approach[edit]
From the Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center on Highway 24 at Fruita, drive south 3.4 miles on the Scenic Drive to the Grand Wash turnoff. Follow this smooth gravel road 1.25 miles to the parking lot at the end. (Pit toilet available). Hike the well-marked trail to Cassidy Arch 1.3 miles, 600 feet of gain.
Descent[edit]
Use the anchor shown below for the first rappel, NOT the previously-popular tree. See the American Canyoneers page and the Facebook discussion for more information.
Continue through the canyon via 8 rappels and a couple short downclimbs. Rappels are primarily off bolted anchors.
Rappels[edit]
- R1: 140ft - Anchored from two bolts and some chain. Mostly free-hanging.
- R2: 140ft - Anchored from two bolts.
- R3: 40ft - Anchored from two bolts and drops into a narrow slot.
- R4: 30ft - Anchored from two bolts. The rappel passes through a small arch.
- R5: 40ft - Anchored from two bolts.
- R6: 50ft - Anchored from two bolts. The rappel passes through a small arch.
- R7: 50ft - Anchored from two bolts.
- R8: 35ft - Anchored from a tree.
Exit[edit]
From the bottom of the last rappel, stay right against the canyon wall and follow a trail 1/2 mile out to the road. A 1/2 mile walk on the road gets you back to the carpark.
Red tape[edit]
This section lists general information and requirements for canyoneering in Capitol Reef National Park.
Permits[edit]
A permit is required for any and all canyoneering within the boundaries of Capitol Reef National Park. Permits have a group-size limit that varies depending on the canyon or route and a separate permit is required for each canyoneering route. Currently, there is no quota limitation nor a permit cost, though that is likely to change at some point in the future. Canyoneering Permits can be obtained onsite through a self-serve kiosk located just outside of the visitor center or by sending and email to [email protected] (see format below). If you plan to camp overnight as part of a canyoneering trip, you are required to obtain a free backcountry permit, available from the rangers at the visitor center only.
Subject: Name of canyoneering route and date you will be canyoneering.
Email Body: Date of visit (single day only): Canyoneering route (single route only): Number of people: Vehicle location: Number of motorized vehicles: Vehicle description(s):
Additional Access Information:[edit]
- CRNP canyoneering permit information webpage: https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/canyoneering.htm
- Other: http://www.americancanyoneers.org/access-capitol-reef/
Group-Size Limit:[edit]
For the protection of park resources, canyoneering groups are limited to a maximum of 8 people per group in all technical canyons, with some exceptions for certain routes in the Fruita area which are listed below and allow 12 people per group. A canyoneering group shall not exceed the determined number of people (as mentioned) sharing the same affiliation (school, church, club, scout group, family, friends, etc., or combination thereof) in the same canyon, drainage, general area or the same route on the same day. Groups larger than 8 or 12 sharing the same affiliation may divide into groups smaller than 8 or 12, provided they do not occupy the same canyon, drainage, general area or the same route on the same day.
Canyoneering groups are limited to a maximum of 12 people for the following:
- Cassidy Arch Canyon
- Wives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
- Old School
- Beaver Bay
- Na-Gah
- Arch Nemesis
Park Entrance Fee:[edit]
The Scenic drive is the only area of Capitol Reef where an entry fee or park pass is required. Passes can be attained at the visitor center or at a self-pay kiosk at the start of the scenic drive. Fees are good for seven days and can be found here: http://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/fees.ht
Seasonal Closure[edit]
The following canyons and routes close seasonally each year, effective April 1 through August 31, for the protection of sensitive natural resources
- The heads of Burro Wash and Fivemile Wash continuing east two miles (top-down routes).
- Shinob Canyon and any route descending into Shinob including, Na-gah, Nighthawk, and Timpie.
Beta sites[edit]
CanyonCollective.com : Cassidy Arch Canyon- BluuGnome.com : Cassidy Arch Canyon
- RoadTripRyan.com : Cassidy Arch Canyon
- Super Amazing Map : Cassidy Arch
- Climb-Utah.com : Cassidy Arch Slot
Trip reports and media[edit]
- https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/cassidy-arch-canyon
- http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/rave/cassidy-arch-canyon-anchor-work-summer-2016/
- Bogely Trip report http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?76244-Cassidy-Arch-Capitol-Reef-10-02-2016
- Candition.com : Cassidy Canyon
- YouTube.com : Richard Pattison, Cassidy Arch Canyon movie
Background[edit]
The cut steps, bridge and via-ferrata like cable are from when the bottom of the canyon was used as a polygamist hideout.