Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to visit Torrey and Capitol Reef. The temperatures are comfortable for hiking — daytime highs of 15–25°C — the light is excellent, and the crowds are manageable. Spring brings wildflowers in the canyon bottoms and the occasional flash of green in the orchards.
Summer (June–August) is hot — temperatures regularly exceed 35°C and can touch 40°C in the canyon bottoms. Heat is dangerous in slot canyons. Flash floods from distant thunderstorms are a genuine hazard in narrow canyons; always check the forecast. The park is also at its busiest in July and August.
Winter (November–March) is cold and unpaved roads may be closed by snow or mud. The park is quiet and the low-angle light spectacular on clear days. The Gifford Homestead and some services in Torrey are closed in winter.
Torrey sits at 1,900 metres elevation, which means cooler nights than the canyons suggest — bring layers even in summer.