Waterpocket Fold

Waterpocket Fold is a nearly 100-mile (160 km) long monocline in south-central Utah that forms the defining geologic structure of the region. It is the dominant structural feature running through the area and creates long, steep cliffs and a sequence of sheltered basins called waterpockets.

The landscape along the fold offers extensive hiking, canyon exploration and scenic driving with colorful exposed strata, narrow canyons and natural arches. Key visitor activities include backcountry hiking, route-finding on less-developed tracks and photography of layered rock exposures and panoramic overlooks.

The fold is a tilted block of the Earth’s crust created by compressional forces; subsequent uplift and erosion exposed the layered sedimentary rocks and sculpted the series of pockets and gullies that give the feature its name. The structural flexure is a classic example of a monocline in the Colorado Plateau province.

Geographically the Waterpocket Fold lies within and adjacent to Capitol Reef National Park in south-central Utah, with the small town of Torrey serving as a common gateway for visitors. The feature runs roughly northwest-southeast across the park and its immediate surroundings.

• Length: About 100 miles (160 km) long, forming a continuous cliff and fold that defines the backbone of the surrounding landscape.
• Access: Accessible primarily through Capitol Reef National Park via park roads, trailheads and pullouts along the fold.