Capitol Reef National Park — Scenic Drive South End Viewpoint

This is the transition point every overlander on the Notom-Bullfrog route needs to know. The NPS Scenic Drive terminates near the Hickman Bridge trailhead corridor, and just beyond, the pavement gives way to the dusty bench road that traces the east flank of the Waterpocket Fold for 70-plus miles to Lake Powell. Standing here you get your first real look at the Fold — that massive wrinkle of Navajo and Wingate sandstone tilted on edge — before dropping into country with zero services.

Top off water at the visitor center in Fruita before you roll south. Cell signal disappears fast once you leave the main park corridor. The Scenic Drive itself is paved and accessible to all vehicles, but the moment you commit to Notom Road, you’re on BLM dirt that turns nasty when wet. Check road conditions at the Fruita visitor center — rangers know the current state of the surface better than any app will.

Where pavement ends and the Fold begins.