Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
The most common soil here is Reef, on about 7% of the land: a very channery loam, a balanced mix that crumbles in your hand. Daklos and Remorris come next.
About 67% of the land drains well.
USDA rates 57% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 56% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: bedrock lies within 40 inches under 85% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is D (very slow infiltration, high runoff). The most common soil order is Entisols — young soils with little profile development, often on floodplains or steep slopes. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rock outcrop-Nalcase complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 34K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop-Daklos-Moclom complex, 5 to 20 percent slopes | 12K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop-Arches complex, 4 to 25 percent slopes | 11K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Catahoula-Rock outcrop complex, 35 to 75 percent slopes | 10K | B | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Reef-Retsabal-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 10K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Remorris, strongly alkaline-Rock outcrop complex, 30 to 70 percent slopes | 9K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Remorris-Milok-Rock outcrop complex, 10 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Daklos-Reef-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reef-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rosced family-Quezcan, sodic complex, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 8K | Well drained | A | Very limited | Very limited |
| Nizhoni-Rock outcrop complex, 20 to 50 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Simel-Simel, steep-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Daklos-Rizno-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Goblin fine sandy loam, 15 to 70 percent slopes | 6K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Rock outcrop-Santrick-Nalcase complex, 2 to 30 percent slopes | 5K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Rock outcrop-Mezzo family-Strell family complex, 2 to 45 percent slopes | 5K | D | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Tesihim-Rizno, steep-Rock outcrop-Badland complex, 6 to 75 percent slopes | 5K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reef-Rizno-Rock outcrop complex, 2 to 15 percent slopes | 4K | Somewhat excessively drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Kydestea-Vessilla-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 60 percent slopes | 4K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Reef-Rock outcrop complex, 6 to 20 percent slopes | 4K | D | Not rated | Not rated |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 56% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 57% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.