About Fruita Campground — Capitol Reef NP
Utah's least-crowded major national park hides a gem: the Fruita Historic District, with 2,700 acres of fruit
orchards planted by Mormon settlers in the 1880s. Camp here and pick cherries, peaches, and apples in season
while surrounded by the spectacular Waterpocket Fold monoclinal.
Highlights
- Free fruit picking in historic orchards (in season)
- Hickman Bridge natural arch trail from camp
- Petroglyphs on the canyon walls
- Waterpocket Fold — a 100-mile geological wrinkle
- Virtually no crowds compared to other Utah parks
Directions & How to Get There
From Salt Lake City: Take I-70 W to US-50 E to UT-10 S to UT-24 E, approximately 4.5 hours. From Moab: Take
US-191 N to US-6 W to UT-24 W, approximately 2.5 hours. The campground is at the end of UT-24 inside the park,
adjacent to the visitor center.
Nearby Attractions
- Hickman Bridge Trail (1 mi)
- Capitol Gorge Trail (8 mi)
- Cohab Canyon Trail (2 mi)
- Petroglyphs pullout (1 mi)
- Cathedral Valley (30 mi, high clearance)
Insider Tips
- Often called Utah's hidden gem — book early as word spreads
- Fruit orchards produce cherries (June), peaches (August), and apples (September-October)
- Cathedral Valley requires a high-clearance vehicle but is spectacular
- Torrey town (11 miles west) has excellent restaurants and lodging
Best Time to Visit
Best months: April–June, September–October
Season: Year-round
Access difficulty: Easy access
What to Pack for Utah Camping
- Navigation: downloaded offline maps, compass, and GPS device
- Water: at least 3 liters per person per day (more in desert parks)
- Food: bear canister or use provided bear boxes where required
- Shelter: 3-season tent, rain fly, and ground tarp
- Clothing: moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layer, waterproof shell
- First aid kit: including blister treatment, pain reliever, and any personal medications
- Sun protection: SPF 50 sunscreen, wide-brim hat, UV-blocking sunglasses
- Lighting: headlamp with extra batteries, lantern for camp
- Safety: whistle, emergency bivy, and knowledge of your emergency exit route