Fruita Orchard 1

An apricot orchard in full glorious bloom in the desert southwest’s red rock country.
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In a secluded valley in the heart of the Utah desert lies Fruita, an early settlement that was pioneered by in the late 1800s. Around 3000 trees were planted here in what is now the heart of Capital Reef National Park. The 10 families that lived there planted orchards of cherry, apricot, peach, pear, apple, plum, mulberry, almond, and walnut trees. Today the 200-acre Fruita Rural Historical District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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This fertile valley is the main hub for the National Park, hosting the park’s main visitor center and campground. Park visitors come at various times throughout the year to see the fruit trees in bloom in the spring and to pick fruit to take home in the fall.