The Orchards of Fruita — Capitol Reef’s Living History and U-Pick Tradition

Just inside Capitol Reef National Park in Utah is the Fruita Historic District, a desert oasis unlike any other in red rock country. Tall cottonwoods cast shadows over lush green fields, pioneer homesteads remain preserved against sandstone cliffs, and over a thousand fruit trees still thrive where early settlers once made their living. For many visitors, exploring Fruita’s orchards is as memorable as hiking Hickman Bridge or driving the Scenic Drive.

Photo courtesy of NPS

History of the Fruita Orchards in Capitol Reef

The orchards date back to the late 1800s when Mormon pioneers planted apples, apricots, peaches, cherries, and pears along the Fremont River. These families cultivated hardy heirloom varieties suited for the high desert, some of which are now rare outside Fruita. Today, Capitol Reef maintains about 1,900 fruit trees across multiple orchards, preserving both the fruit and the history that come with them (NPS; KUER).

How Capitol Reef’s U-Pick Program Works

If you’re searching for “U-Pick fruit in Utah”, Fruita is one of the most unique destinations in the state. Here’s what visitors need to know:

• Only orchards with “U-Pick Fruit” signs are open for harvesting.
• Self-pay stations with scales are available at each orchard.
• Tools like ladders and picking poles are provided, but visitors must pick only ripe fruit and follow park guidelines (NPS; Visit Utah).

What’s in season:

• Cherries and apricots: June through July
• Peaches: Late July through August
• Apples and pears: September through October

In good years, visitors can taste the changing seasons as different orchards ripen.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

The 2025 Harvest: A Year Without U-Pick

Capitol Reef’s orchards are vulnerable to the weather. In 2025, an unusually early bloom followed by freezing nights destroyed most blossoms. The result: over 80 percent of the fruit harvest was lost, and the park announced that no orchards are open for U-Pick this season (National Parks Traveler). Even so, Fruita remains a highlight. Visitors can stroll the orchards, enjoy the shade of cottonwoods, and stop at the Gifford House for handmade pies, jams, and other treats that carry on the orchard tradition.

Why Fruita’s Orchards Matter

Beyond fresh fruit, Fruita’s orchards connect people to Capitol Reef in a special way. They serve as a living link to pioneer life in Utah, where orchards once provided food and community for families in the Fremont River Valley. Today, they represent the park’s commitment to protecting both natural and cultural history — and they offer modern visitors a chance to slow down, explore, and enjoy the landscape.

The Lodge Connection

Guests at The Lodge at Red River Ranch near Capitol Reef often include Fruita in their daily routines: a morning walk through the orchards, a stop at the Gifford House for pie and coffee, and an afternoon exploring nearby trails. In fall, cottonwoods glow gold against the red cliffs, making Fruita one of the most photographed locations in Capitol Reef. Even in years with a light harvest, the orchards stand as a symbol of the park’s charm—where history, community, and scenery come together.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Plan Your Visit to Capitol Reef Orchards

Whether you’re hoping to pick apples straight from the tree, enjoy fresh peach pie, or simply wander beneath golden leaves, Fruita’s orchards are worth adding to your Capitol Reef itinerary. Check the Capitol Reef U-Pick fruit page before your trip to see which orchards are open and what’s in season.

Make The Lodge at Red River Ranch your home base — just minutes from Fruita — and you’ll be close enough to enjoy the orchards in the morning and still have the whole day to explore Capitol Reef National Park.