Skip to Content

21 Animals That CAll Capitol Reef National Park Home

21 Animals that call Capitol Reef National Park home. Image via Canva.

Capitol Reef National Park is found in Utah’s south-central desert. The park is well-known for the Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and Capitol Reef, which is known for its white sandstone domes. In the north are the towering monoliths of Cathedral Valley. The park is also home to various wildlife. Let’s find out which top 21 animals call Capitol Reef National Park home.

1. Desert Bighorn Sheep

Desert Bighorn sheep. Image via depositphotos.

 These iconic animals are well-adapted to the arid desert environment of Capitol Reef, often seen traversing the rugged terrain.

2. Mule Deer

Mule deer. Image via depositphotos.

 Commonly spotted throughout the park, especially in the early mornings or evenings.

3. Mountain Lions

Mountain lion
Mountain lion. National Park Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 Elusive and rarely seen, mountain lions inhabit the remote areas of the park.

4. Coyotes

Howling Coyote standing on Rock with Saguaro Cacti
Howling Coyote standing on Rock with Saguaro Cacti By JayPierstorff via Depositphotos

 These adaptable predators can be found in various habitats within the park, from desert valleys to rocky slopes.

5. Kit Foxes

kit Fox
Kit Fox in Utah. Image by USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/Kit_Fox_Utah._Photo_Credit_USFWS_Clint_Wirick_%2852461966359%29.jpg

 Small and agile, kit foxes are primarily nocturnal and hunt small mammals and birds.

6. Rock Squirrels

Rock Squirrel paused on rock outcrop. Image via depositphotos.

 Often seen scurrying among the rocks, these squirrels are skilled climbers.

7. Kangaroo Rats

kangaroo rat
Image by California Department of Water Resources, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Tipton_kangaroo_rat_8046-5_1991.jpg

 Nocturnal rodents known for their distinctive hopping gait and long tails.

8. Great Basin Spadefoot Toads

Great Spadefoot Toad. Image by National Park Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 These amphibians emerge during the monsoon season to breed in temporary pools.

9. Chuckwallas

By Connor Long – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42629514

 Large, herbivorous lizards that bask in the sun on rocky outcrops.

10. Western Whiptail Lizards

Western Whiptail lizard. Image by U.S. Geological Survey / Chris Brown, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

 Commonly found in desert habitats, these lizards are known for their rapid movements.

11. Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes

western diamondback rattlesnake
Western diamondback rattlesnake. Image via Depositphotos

 Venomous snakes that inhabit rocky areas, typically avoiding human contact.

12. Peregrine Falcons

Peregrine Falcon sitting on a wooden post. Image by Alessandro La Becca on Unsplash.

 Among the fastest birds in the world, peregrine falcons nest on cliffs within the park.

13. Golden Eagles

Magnificent golden eagle, aquila chrysaetos, flying over the field in autumn. Proud brown feathered animal looking to the camera with spread wings approaching from font. Wild bird of prey landing in nature. Image via depositphotos.

 Majestic birds of prey that soar above the desert landscape, hunting small mammals and birds.

14. American Kestrels

American kestrel (Falco sparverius) sitting on a mullein. Image via depositphotos.

 Small falcons commonly seen perched on utility poles or hovering over open fields.

15. Greater Roadrunners

Greater Roadrunner. Image via depositphotos.

 Iconic desert birds known for their distinctive appearance and fast running speed.

16. Rock Wrens

A Rock Wren perches on a rock. Image via depositphotos.

 These small songbirds are often heard singing from rocky crevices.

17. Black-throated Sparrows

A Black-throated sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) perched on a srub. Image via depositphotos.

 Common in desert scrub habitats, these sparrows have distinct black markings on their throats.

18. Canyon Wrens

Canyon wren on fallen cactus. Image via depositphotos.

 Known for their beautiful songs echoing through the canyons, these wrens nest in rock crevices.

19. Western Bluebirds

Western Bluebird are shiny blue above with rust-orange extending from a vest on the breast onto the upper back. Image via depositphotos.

 Vibrant blue and orange birds commonly seen perched on fence posts or in open woodlands.

20. Collared Lizards

Great Basin Collared Lizard. Image via depositphotos.

 Colorful lizards with distinctive bands around their necks, often found in rocky areas.

21. Desert Tortoises

Large tortoise reptile walking on sandy ground through an arid desert landscape. Image by paulvinten via Depositphotos

 These iconic reptiles are well-adapted to desert life and can live for several decades in the wild.

Conclusion

Cathedral Valley, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA. Image via depositphotos.

Each animal living here contributes in its own unique way to the greater ecosystem of the park. I hope you enjoyed reading about the animals that call Capitol Reef National Park home. To read more like this, check out the articles below:

Latest posts by Alana Theron, BSc in Biodiversity and Ecology (see all)