Llama Hike in Capitol Reef: 1-Hour Family Adventure in Torrey, UT
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1–1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for families and people of all fitness levels; children should be able to walk short stretches or be carried.
Overview
Walk the Waterpocket Fold with a gentle pack llama at your side. This 1-hour guided hike from Capitol Reef Resort is designed for families, offering easy terrain, desert views, and hands-on animal time suited to young kids.
Llama Hike in Capitol Reef: 1-Hour Family Adventure in Torrey, UT
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The afternoon sun slants across red Navajo sandstone as a small parade forms at the corrals behind the big tipi at Capitol Reef Resort. Children’s voices thread through the low humming of guides prepping tack; llamas blink at the world with long lashes and patient faces, as if they've been waiting to carry stories along Holt Draw. In seventy-five minutes you walk a piece of the Waterpocket Fold—rock ribs folded from deep time—while a gentle pack animal sets the pace and keeps the mood light.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Meet at the tipi corrals
Park in the gravel lot next to the large tipi on the Capitol Reef Resort property and walk west down the hill to the llama corrals—visible from the lot.
Wear closed-toe shoes
The route is short but uneven; sturdy sneakers or light hikers keep small feet safe when crossing rocky steps.
Sun protection is crucial
Bring a hat and sunscreen—the desert sun is strong even in shoulder seasons and shade is limited on the short loop.
Bring a small water bottle
Guides supply bottled water for the group, but personal bottles are handy for kids and quick sips between stops.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mule deer
- Pinyon jay and western scrub-jay
History
The Waterpocket Fold is a classic monocline on the Colorado Plateau; the Fruita area also preserves 19th-century Mormon settlement sites and nearby Fremont rock art.
Conservation
Stay on guide-led routes—desert soils and cryptobiotic crusts are fragile. Llamas are a low-impact pack option when managed properly, but visitors should avoid disturbing vegetation and water sources.
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Adventure Hotspots in Torrey
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Closed-toe shoes
Protects feet on rocky and sandy trail sections.
Daypack with water bottle
Keeps hydration and small layers accessible for kids.
Sun hat and sunscreen
Desert sun is intense; protection prevents sunburn and heat fatigue.
summer specific
Light wind jacket
Evenings and higher desert can be breezy—useful in shoulder seasons.
spring specific