Fremont Gorge Overlook is located 2.2 miles from Scenic Drive in Capitol Reef National Park. The trail climbs from the Blacksmith Shop in the Fruita Historic District to Johnson Mesa, then levels across for over a mile before gaining 622' in just .75 miles to a high point over a deep gorge in the Fremont River. The trail is highlighted by panoramic views that include the Henry Mountains and pronounced tilt of the Waterpocket Fold. 

The Fremont River has cut deep canyons through the Waterpocket Fold, and old valley floors are now mesas that rise several hundred feet above the river (e.g. Johnson Mesa)

The Fremont Gorge Trail looks over several orchards in Capitol Reef, which has the National Park's most extensive orchard system with over 3000 trees

The Fremont River headwaters can be traced to the Fish Lake - Hightop Plateau (11,200') in south central Utah

While slickrock and sculpted formations define the Capitol Reef landscape, woodlands and forests occupy nearly every available habitat in the park

The Henry Mountains rise from 3,700' along the shores of Lake Powell to 11,522' on the summit of Mt Ellen

Black boulders across the east end of Johnson Mesa were carried down the Fremont River in debris slides from mountains west of the park, and deposited across ancient river valleys which are now mesas

Dolomitic Limestone rims along the Fremont Gorge are among the oldest rock types in Capitol Reef

Utah juniper trees can exist under very harsh conditions; their roots reach deep underground and can extend many feet laterally to access water and stabilize the tree

The Fremont Gorge Trail climbs 622' in the last .75 miles on a shifting and sometimes faint path

Johnson Mesa provides useful perspective on the high, tilted west side of the Waterpocket Fold