Fruita Campground, Capitol Reef National Park

Grassy sites among orchards in a red-rock canyon.

Fruita is an oasis in the Waterpocket Fold: 71 shady, grassy sites along the Fremont River, next to historic orchards where you can pick fruit in season and the Gifford House sells pies. It’s the park’s only developed campground, open and reservable all year, and full most nights from mid-March through October. A good base for the Scenic Drive, Cassidy Arch and Hickman Bridge, and quieter than Utah’s bigger parks.

At a glance

Sites

71 (65 reservable)

Hookups

None; water fill and dump station

Generators

Loop C only, March to Thanksgiving

Reservations

6 months ahead, all year; no first-come

Nightly

$25

What’s here

• Tent sites
• Lake or riverfront
• Pets allowed
• Open in winter
• Dark skies

Gear, rentals and guides

• Capitol Reef Outfitters

  Jeep and ATV tours into the park’s backcountry.

• Hondoo Rivers & Trails

  Horseback trips across the Colorado Plateau around Capitol Reef.

• Get in the Wild Adventures

  Guided canyoneering trips and courses between Moab and Capitol Reef.

Events

“Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• FestivalUsually mid-September (2026: Sept 9–12)Usually

  Heritage StarFest

  Free astronomy talks, solar viewing and star parties in the park and in Torrey.

Where to stay

• hotelCapitol Reef Resort

  58-acre resort in Torrey, about a mile from the park’s west entrance.

  15 min drive
• hotelRed Sands Hotel & Spa

  Torrey hotel with a heated indoor pool, spa and restaurant.

  15 min drive

Nearby

• Fruita orchards · Walk from camp

  Historic orchards beside the campground; pick cherries, apricots, peaches, pears and apples when an orchard is posted open, and pay for what you take.

• Gifford Homestead · 5 min walk

  Historic farmhouse that sells fresh pies and local goods in season.

• Scenic Drive · From camp

  Paved road south along the fold, with spur roads into Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge.

• Cassidy Arch and Hickman Bridge · 10 min drive

  Two of the park’s best day hikes, both under 4 miles round trip.

Getting there

• Canyonlands Regional (CNY) · about 2 hr 15 min drive
• Salt Lake City · about 3.5 hr
• Las Vegas · about 5.5 hr

Directions in Google Maps