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Capitol Reef/Fruita Campground
Overview
The Fruita Campground serves as the only developed campground within Capitol Reef National Park near Torrey, UT. Often described as a lush oasis in the heart of the desert, this park provides a unique opportunity to camp among historic fruit orchards and towering red rock formations. Unlike many rugged desert sites, this location offers a park-like atmosphere with plenty of greenery and shade, making it a highly sought-after destination for RV travelers exploring the Mighty 5 of Utah.
Location & Surroundings
Situated within the historic Fruita District, the campground is surrounded by the striking Wingate Sandstone cliffs and the Fremont River. The location is famous for its large orchards originally planted by Mormon pioneers in the late 1800s. Visitors will find themselves immersed in a landscape where desert textures meet vibrant vegetation. The area is also known for its dark night skies, providing some of the best stargazing opportunities in the National Park Service system, far away from any major city lights.
Amenities & Park Features
This is a dry camping facility, meaning there are no individual water, sewer, or electrical hookups at the sites. However, the park is well-equipped for self-contained RVs with a centrally located dump station and potable water fill-up area. Each site features a paved pad, a picnic table, and a fire pit with a grill. Modern restrooms with flush toilets are available, though there are no showers on-site. A short walk from the campsites brings you to the Gifford House, where you can purchase fresh, locally baked fruit pies during the season.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Staying here puts you at the doorstep of the Scenic Drive, an 8-mile paved road that showcases the most dramatic geology of the Waterpocket Fold. Hiking enthusiasts can easily access the Hickman Bridge Trail or the Grand Wash, both of which offer incredible views of the park’s unique domes and arches. During the harvest season, visitors are encouraged to enter the orchards and pick fresh apples, peaches, or pears. The nearby petroglyph panels also offer a fascinating look into the lives of the Fremont People who once inhabited the region.
Who This Park Is Best For
Fruita Campground is ideal for self-contained RVers who prioritize scenery and a sense of history over resort-style amenities. It is a perfect fit for nature photographers, hikers, and families who enjoy a quiet, contemplative atmosphere. Because it is located inside the national park, it is best for travelers who want to beat the crowds to the trailheads in the morning. If you enjoy falling asleep to the sound of wind in the cottonwood trees and waking up to the sight of grazing mule deer, this rustic gem is for you.
Amenities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Lindsey Gannon
Gary the Campground Host, at Capital Reef runs around with a clip board taking notes of everything and acts like we are under surveillance, He threatened and made us feel very unwelcome and uncomfortable, us and told us that we “will turn off our generator at 20:02/ the ending time is at 20:00/0800 pm or law enforcement will be involved, we didn’t argue or even imply we weren’t, he jumped the gun with out even letting us get to our sight ”. We were returning from walking our dogs, and he took his job far too seriously. We complied and had no problem doing so (we are rule followers and know they are there for a reason and had no problem complying), however, Gary had quite the power trip and hovered and followed us to our allotted sight. Campground views were stunning, greatforstargazing 10/10bathrooms 7/10 for cleanliness (no showers) Don't expect cell service. Park rangers were kind and knowledgeable.
Jason Mathis
This is hands down the most beautiful campground in Utah. A true oasis in the desert. I almost hesitate to bring attention to it. It has clean flush toilet restrooms. No power, no cell signal, no rv hookups. It does have hydrants with potable water, and a water fill up for rvs. Grounds are kept nice. The camp host for our stay was great. Fire wood is sold at the near by Gifford house until 430pm. If your going to be later than that, I suggest picking some up in Torrey. Love this place. We will be back next year
Chris or Karen Cornwell
We had been once in 2018 and explored a little bit. Unfortunately scenic drive was closed, which we really wanted to explore this time. There was no fruit on any trees (late frost apparently)and of course being a national park it's not very dog friendly. But we still had a fun time because of course it is such a magical area. Really one of a kind, we've been all over the world but you'll never find a little corner exactly like Fruita in capital reef national Park, with the glorious Fremont River chuckling by and special Fremont cottonwoods creating comforting shade. Also step back in time and make sure you check out the fruita school house and the blacksmith shop!
Nan Kebab
Our stay at Fruita Campground was absolutely wonderful. Everything about this place exceeded our expectations. The campground is nestled in a beautiful orchard-lined valley with dramatic red rock cliffs all around — the scenery alone is worth the trip. The campsites were clean, spacious, and well-maintained, with plenty of shade from the surrounding trees. We appreciated the peace and quiet, especially in the evenings when the stars came out — the dark sky here is amazing. Facilities were spotless, including the restrooms, which were cleaned regularly. The fresh water and picnic tables at each site made our stay very comfortable. There were even deer wandering through the area in the mornings, which made the experience feel even more magical. We also loved the easy access to hiking trails right from the campground. Being so close to the Fremont River and historic Fruita Schoolhouse was a bonus. The nearby fruit orchards were in bloom, and picking fresh fruit (in season) is a fun and unique perk. Overall, Fruita Campground is a gem. It’s a perfect base for exploring Capitol Reef.
Roy
What a wonderful campground this was! Located in the Fruita District, we camped in one of the most beautiful and idyllic spots in the area. The host was very friendly when we arrived. The campsite was pretty spacious. However, the sites were open so there’s not much privacy. But during the day, we were off doing hikes anyway so that wasn’t much of a deal. Would definitely recommend staying here! Capitol Reef NP is sometimes overlooked, no idea why. It’s a beautiful park and not as busy as other parks!