Wind and sand and water cracked rocks apart and found soft cores of sandstone to erode. Today, rock alternates with sand. Junipers, sage and low desert grasses dot the landscape in places where plants can take hold. To the casual observer, then, it appears today that Capitol Reef is a finished product. But not so.
Erosion continues with every storm, each rain, and every spring freeze and thaw cycle.
A paved road winds through a portion of the park, and all along are paved turnouts with interpretive displays. A 20-mile scenic road makes a cursory plunge into the middle of the park. But the real gems of Capitol Reef, the heart of the park, are far beyond the roads - the paved ones, at least. There is quite a lot of communing with the desert going on these days. Check out the Utah section of your local bookstore.