Overlook Waterpocket Fold
Overlook Waterpocket Fold sits at mile 3 of the Journey Through Time Scenic Byway, at an elevation of 8,579 feet. The land drops 575 feet within 600 meters of the overlook, giving a steep foreground below the viewpoint. The view faces 113°, oriented toward sunrise, roughly 23 degrees off square with the horizon. Four peaks are visible: Aspen Point to the southeast at 4.0 miles (7,665 ft), Nicks Peak east-southeast at 7.3 miles (6,884 ft), Buck Point to the east at 8.3 miles (7,646 ft), and Oak Creek Point east-southeast at 8.7 miles (7,022 ft). Bicknell lies 18.6 miles to the northwest, Loa 25.4 miles northwest, and Escalante 29.2 miles south-southwest. The next stop along the byway is Overlook Capitol Reef NP. Given its eastward orientation, morning light reaches the overlook early; on the June solstice sunrise is at 06:03, while on the December solstice it comes later, at 07:39.
What you’re looking at
Named terrain inside the view from this overlook, nearest first.
- Aspen Point7,665 ftsoutheast · 4.0 mi
- Nicks Peak6,884 fteast-southeast · 7.3 mi
- Buck Point7,646 fteast · 8.3 mi
- Oak Creek Point7,022 fteast-southeast · 8.7 mi
Light
This overlook faces sunrise — 23° off square to it.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Golden hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 07:30 | 19:37 | 19:03 |
| June solstice | 06:03 | 20:52 | 20:13 |
| September equinox | 07:14 | 19:24 | 18:49 |
| December solstice | 07:39 | 17:10 | 16:28 |
Local time (America/Denver). Computed for this exact position.
Where it is
Mile 3 of 123 along Journey Through Time Scenic Byway.
- Bicknell18.6 mi northwest
- Loa25.4 mi northwest
- Escalante29.2 mi south-southwest
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How high is Overlook Waterpocket Fold?
Overlook Waterpocket Fold sits at about 8,579 feet (2,615 m).
What can you see from Overlook Waterpocket Fold?
From Overlook Waterpocket Fold: Aspen Point (SE, 4.0 mi); Nicks Peak (ESE, 7.3 mi); Buck Point (E, 8.3 mi); Oak Creek Point (ESE, 8.7 mi).
Is Overlook Waterpocket Fold better at sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise. The land falls away from Overlook Waterpocket Fold toward the sunrise, so at sunset the light is behind you. Exact times shift through the year; the page shows the current window.
What is the nearest town to Overlook Waterpocket Fold?
Bicknell, 19 miles NW of Overlook Waterpocket Fold.
What is the next lookout after Overlook Waterpocket Fold?
Overlook Capitol Reef NP is the next surfaced lookout along the same route after Overlook Waterpocket Fold.
Drive to Overlook Waterpocket Fold with Byway
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Byways with this lookout
Day trips start here
- Capitol Reef National Park · 10 mi
Locals make it Verified.
Overlook Waterpocket Fold — confirmed, rated, and photographed by people who actually pulled over. A local confirmation is what upgrades a lookout from Discovered to Verified. Zero hallucinations.
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