The 100-mile-long warp in the Earth's crust known as the Waterpocket Fold was once a formidable barrier to east-west travel. Early prospectors who had been seamen often called any such obstacle to travel a "reef." The rounded white sandstone formations capping the fold bear a resemblance to capitol domes -- hence the name "Capitol Reef."

Only a few decades ago, Capitol Reef and the Waterpocket Fold country comprised one of the remote corners of the lower 48 U.S. states. Easy road access came only with the construction of a paved State Route 24 through the Fremont River Canyon in 1962.