Gypsum Sinkhole

Q: Can I get close to the sinkhole edge for photos?

No. The rocks are extremely soft gypsum and sandstone; they collapse regularly and unexpectedly. Stay at least 20–30 feet back from any edge. A 200-foot fall is fatal. Distance photography with zoom lens is the safe approach.

Q: What if it rains during my visit?

Turn back immediately. Cathedral Valley roads become impassable within minutes of rain. Mud accumulates on unpaved surfaces, and drainage is poor. Your vehicle can become stranded. Check weather and road conditions by calling 435-425-3791 before departing, and check the flash-flood forecast at weather.gov/source/slc/flashflood/?Cathedral.

Q: Is this worth the long drive from Capitol Reef Visitor Center?

Yes, if you have high-clearance vehicle and time. The 200-foot water-carved sinkhole and exposed 165-million-year-old gypsum layers are geologically unique in the park. You'll also experience the spectacular Cathedral Valley loop road. Plan 3–4 hours round trip including time at the sinkhole and surrounding viewpoints.

Q: Are there bathrooms, water, or food here?

No. Cathedral Valley has no facilities, services, or potable water. Bring all water and supplies. Nearest restrooms and water are at Capitol Reef Visitor Center (30+ miles). Nearest food and fuel are in Torrey or Boulder, Utah (50+ miles). Come fully self-sufficient.

Q: What's the best time of day to visit?

Early morning (7 AM–10 AM) offers optimal photography light, cooler temperatures, and fewer crowds. Avoid summer midday heat (90+ °F) and afternoon thunderstorm risk. Mid-week visits (Tuesday–Thursday) are quieter than weekends.

Q: Can I see this sinkhole from the main Capitol Reef Scenic Drive?

No. Gypsum Sinkhole is located in remote Cathedral Valley, which requires a separate high-clearance vehicle excursion north from the main park boundary. It cannot be accessed from the main Scenic Drive. Plan a dedicated Cathedral Valley trip.

Type

Geological Formation (Gypsum Sinkhole)

Accessibility

High-clearance vehicle required; scenic overlook/sinkhole view (no hiking)

Best Season

April–October. Roads most passable; temperatures moderate; wildflower and wildlife activity peaks in spring; stargazing excellent year-round at this remote location.

Busiest Season

Summer (June–August, peak heat and tourism); spring break (March–April); fall (September–October) for moderate crowds and pleasant weather. Winter access is limited by road conditions.

Features

200-foot-deep water-carved sinkhole; nearly 50 feet in diameter; exposed Jurassic-era (165 million-year-old) gypsum and sedimentary rock layers; soft, unstable rocks with visible collapse features; tan-and-orange coloration from iron oxidation.

Elevation

5,000 ft

Overview

About This Attraction

A circular void drops 200 feet into Cathedral Valley's desert floor—a gypsum sinkhole where groundwater sculpted an ancient cavity out of 165-million-year-old seawater evaporites. The sinkhole is nearly 50 feet in diameter, and its walls expose tan-and-orange sedimentary layers stained by iron oxidation. Water dissolved the buried gypsum plug, and the weight of overlying rock caused the cavity to collapse inward—a dramatic demonstration of geology in action. The unstable soft rocks here actively crumble and collapse; stay well back from the edge.

Quick Facts

Type

Geological Formation (Gypsum Sinkhole)

Elevation

5,000 ft

Access

High-clearance vehicle required; scenic overlook/sinkhole view (no hiking)

Main Features

What You'll See

A stark circular depression drops sharply into Cathedral Valley. The sinkhole walls expose tan-orange-white layered sedimentary rocks and gypsum, with visible weathering and collapse scars. The surrounding desert landscape shows the full context of the Cathedral Valley geologic structure. Depth perspective reveals the 200-foot drop.

What Makes It Special

200-foot sinkhole formed purely by groundwater dissolution of Jurassic evaporite (gypsum) deposit from 165 million years ago. Represents visible, active dissolution and collapse process. Soft gypsum moved upward along fault lines and was dissolved from below, causing overlying rock to collapse. Cathedral Valley roads remain impassable when wet—a living demonstration of how moisture transforms the landscape.

Best Time to Visit

Early morning (7 AM–10 AM) for optimal photography light, cooler temperatures, and solitude. April through October when roads are most passable. Avoid summer afternoons (high heat, thunderstorm risk) and wet conditions after rain.

Safety Considerations

CRITICAL: Rocks are very soft and unstable. Do NOT approach the sinkhole edge—collapse happens regularly and unexpectedly. 200-foot vertical drop is fatal. High-clearance vehicle required; Cathedral Valley roads become impassable when wet (muddy, slippery, vehicle entrapment risk). Afternoon thunderstorms and flash flooding are possible (check forecast at weather.gov/source/slc/flashflood/?Cathedral). Remote location with no cell service—carry water, tell someone your plans, carry map.

Visitor Tips

Stay well back from the sinkhole edge—rocks collapse regularly and unexpectedly. Do not test stability.
Call 435-425-3791 before visiting to confirm road conditions. Wet roads become impassable for even high-clearance vehicles.
High-clearance vehicle absolutely required. Standard cars will damage suspension or get stuck.
Bring all water and supplies; no facilities or services in Cathedral Valley.
Early morning provides the best sinkhole photography with shadows showing depth and dimension.
Look for gypsum layers in the walls—they're usually white-tan and feel very soft when weathered.
Panoramic views of Cathedral Valley geology complement the sinkhole. Plan 3–4 hours for the Cathedral Valley loop road.

Details

Location & Features

Type: Geological Formation (Gypsum Sinkhole)

Elevation: 5,000 ft

GPS: 38.4983262689, -111.319322619

What Makes It Unique:

Water Feature Details

Height: Not applicable (not a waterfall)

Size: Not applicable (not a lake)

Flow/Best Viewing: Not applicable (not a waterfall)

Fish Species: Not applicable

Geology

Formation Type: Dissolution sinkhole (gypsum sinkhole / karst feature)

Scientific Interest:

Active groundwater dissolution of Jurassic evaporite sequence; visible collapse mechanism from subsurface cavity formation; exposed 165-million-year-old gypsum and sedimentary stratigraphy; demonstrates chemical weathering and gravity-driven subsidence; visible ongoing rock collapse process; karst feature development in arid climate.

Getting There

Directions:

From Capitol Reef Visitor Center, drive north approximately 30 miles via unpaved Cathedral Valley Road (high-clearance vehicle only). The road winds through Cathedral Valley and is impassable when wet. Call 435-425-3791 to check road conditions before your trip. The sinkhole is located on the Cathedral Valley loop; follow signs.

Access Type: High-clearance vehicle required; scenic overlook/sinkhole view (no hiking)

Road: Unpaved dirt road (Cathedral Valley Road). High-clearance vehicle required.

Seasonal Access: Year-round access when road conditions permit. Most passable April–October. Winter and spring runoff can make roads muddy and impassable. Check conditions before departing.

Parking: Limited pullout parking at the sinkhole viewpoint. No designated parking lot; park on wide pullouts only.

Entry Fees: $20 per private vehicle (Capitol Reef National Park entrance fee). $15 motorcycle. $10 per person (bicyclists, pedestrians). Valid 7 days.

Trails

Trailheads Here:

None. Access is drive-to viewpoint only via Cathedral Valley Road.

Connecting Trails:

Cathedral Valley Road loop connects multiple geological viewpoints. No formal hiking trails at the sinkhole itself.

Photography & Viewing

Best Viewpoints:

From the pullout, view the sinkhole from 20+ feet back from any edge. Photograph from the north to capture the Cathedral Valley backdrop. Early morning side-lighting shows the layered geology most clearly.

Photo Opportunities:

Sinkhole rim profile (showing depth) from distance; close-up of tan-orange layered sedimentary rocks in the walls; wide shot capturing the sinkhole in Cathedral Valley's desert context; early-morning shadows accentuating rock layers; sunset alpenglow on Cathedral Valley walls.

Best Photo Spots:

Northern approach for Cathedral Valley backdrop; sunrise/sunset for alpenglow on surrounding walls; late afternoon for side-lighting on gypsum layers; wide shots showing scale of sinkhole against desert landscape; close-ups of weathered gypsum and rock collapse features.

Sunrise/Sunset: Good. Cathedral Valley offers expansive east-west exposure. Sunrise illuminates eastern canyon walls; sunset lights western formations and provides alpenglow on surrounding plateaus.

Stargazing: Excellent. Remote Cathedral Valley location is far from light pollution. High desert elevations (~5,000 ft) and clear air provide sharp star visibility, especially April–October.

Wildlife & Nature

Common Wildlife:

Mule deer, bighorn sheep, common ravens, and Steller's jays. Reptiles (collared and side-blotched lizards) and insects typical of high-desert scrub. Wildlife less active during hot midday hours.

Best Wildlife Viewing: Early morning (6 AM–8 AM) and late afternoon (4 PM–sunset) when temperatures are cooler and animals are more active. Spring and fall offer best visibility.

Wildflower Peak: April–May (desert wildflowers); limited due to arid climate and elevation.

Fall Colors Peak: October–early November; limited due to sparse vegetation (high desert scrub). Rabbitbrush and some scattered aspens provide color.

Seasonal Information

Best Season: April–October. Roads most passable; temperatures moderate; wildflower and wildlife activity peaks in spring; stargazing excellent year-round at this remote location.

Best Times: Weekday visits in early morning (7 AM–10 AM) offer solitude and cooler temperatures. Mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) generally quieter than weekends. Avoid summer midday heat and afternoon thunderstorm risk.

Road Opens: Year-round theoretically, but winter and spring runoff frequently close Cathedral Valley Road. Most reliably open April–October.

Busiest: Summer (June–August, peak heat and tourism); spring break (March–April); fall (September–October) for moderate crowds and pleasant weather. Winter access is limited by road conditions.

Parking Fills: Unknown. Limited pullout parking may reach capacity during peak summer hours (10 AM–4 PM). Visit early morning for best solitude and parking availability.

Snow Until: Unlikely at this elevation (~5,000 ft), but spring snowmelt in higher elevations can muddy roads. Winter months rarely see lasting snow at the sinkhole.

Winter Access: Typically accessible year-round, but winter road conditions (mud, washout) often close Cathedral Valley Road. Call 435-425-3791 before attempting winter visits.

Weather:

Afternoon thunderstorms and flash flooding risk (check forecast at weather.gov/source/slc/flashflood/?Cathedral). Strong spring winds (March–May). Hot, dry summers; cold winters. Roads muddy and impassable after rain. Morning temperatures coolest; afternoon highs can exceed 90 °F in summer.

Activities

Nearby

Nearby Attractions:

Cathedral Valley scenic loop road, Waterpocket District, Capitol Reef National Park's Scenic Drive (southern approach), Panorama Point, Twin Rocks Viewpoint.

Nearby Services:

Nearest town services 50+ miles away (Torrey, Utah; Boulder, Utah). No food, fuel, water, or supplies in Cathedral Valley. Stock up in Torrey or Boulder before entering the area. Nearest water and restrooms at Capitol Reef Visitor Center, approximately 30+ miles south. Cell service unreliable throughout Cathedral Valley.

Insider Tips

The gypsum is chemically soft—you can actually feel how crumbly and friable it is if you examine nearby rock samples from a safe distance. It feels like chalk when weathered.
Early morning visits (7–9 AM) offer the best photography due to side-lighting across the sinkhole that emphasizes layering and collapse features.
Bring binoculars to examine the rock strata and collapse scars from a safe distance without approaching the edge.
The tan-orange coloration comes from iron oxidation in the overlying sandstone and siltstone layers—geological evidence of ancient seabed chemistry.
Cathedral Valley is home to the iconic Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon formations visible from the loop road; the Gypsum Sinkhole is part of a larger geology tour.

Visitor Information

Accessibility:

High-clearance vehicle absolutely required. Unpaved dirt road. No physical accessibility for wheelchair users or those with mobility limitations. Terrain is remote desert with no improved surfaces. Exposure to 200-foot unguarded drop; not suitable for small children or those uncomfortable with heights.

Family Friendly:

Not recommended for small children due to fatal 200-foot drop exposure and rock instability. Requires high-clearance vehicle (limits family options). Long remote drive with no services (brings fatigue and stress). Older children (10+) with strict adult supervision and clear safety boundaries acceptable. Emphasize edge hazard repeatedly. Remote location demands self-sufficiency and emergency planning.

Nearby Facilities:

No on-site facilities. Nearest restrooms: Capitol Reef Visitor Center, ~30 miles south. Nearest water: Capitol Reef Visitor Center. Nearest food/fuel: Torrey or Boulder, Utah, 50+ miles distant. No lodging in Cathedral Valley; nearest accommodations in Torrey or Boulder.

Reviews

" Visitors appreciate the dramatic geology of the 200-foot sinkhole and its exposed Jurassic-era gypsum layers, though remote access (high-clearance vehicle required) and road conditions limit visitation. Safety concerns about unstable rocks and edge proximity are well-documented by rangers. Most reviewers note the scientific significance of viewing active dissolution and collapse processes, though recommend photographing from distance rather than close approach. Cathedral Valley's remote setting and dark skies add value to the visit despite logistical challenges."

FAQs

Do I really need a high-clearance vehicle?

Yes, absolutely. Cathedral Valley roads are unpaved, rocky, and deeply rutted. Standard passenger cars risk axle damage or becoming stuck in mud. Even SUVs without adequate clearance may get damaged. High-clearance is not optional—it's a safety and vehicle-protection requirement.

Can I get close to the sinkhole edge for photos?

What if it rains during my visit?

Is this worth the long drive from Capitol Reef Visitor Center?

Are there bathrooms, water, or food here?

What's the best time of day to visit?

Can I see this sinkhole from the main Capitol Reef Scenic Drive?

📖 National Park Service — Gypsum Sinkhole (official page) (checked 2026-07-10) 📖 National Park Service — Capitol Reef National Park fees, hours & conditions (checked 2026-07-05) 📝 YourNPGuide Editorial

Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research. Learn how YourNPGuide works →

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