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Starry Night at Gifford Homestead Near Fruita Campground

Fruita Campground

Open

Open year-round. Loops A and B operate all year; Loop C closes mid-November through late March. All 65 reservable sites require advance booking via Recreation.gov with no first-come, first-served availability. Loop C bathhouse is closed during winter. On September 19 and 26, 2026, the Scenic Drive closes for Reef Ride Bike Days, though campground access remains open.

Flood Watch issued July 20 at 12:15PM MDT until July 22 at 3:00AM MDT by NWS Salt Lake City UT

12:15 PM — July 21st, 3:15 AM

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. * WHERE...A portion of Utah, including the following areas, Castle Country, Central Mountains, Eastern Juab/Millard Counties, San Rafael Swell, Sanpete Valley, Sevier Valley, Wasatch Plateau/Book Cliffs, Western Millard and Juab Counties, Bryce Canyon Country, Capitol Reef National Park and Vicinity, Glen Canyon Recreation Area/Lake Powell, South Central Utah, Southern Mountains, Upper Sevier River Valleys, Western Canyonlands, Lower Washington County, Southwest Utah and Zion National Park. This includes recent burn scars such as Cottonwood, Silver King, Forsyth, France Canyon, Monroe Canyon. * WHEN...From Tuesday afternoon through late Tuesday night. * IMPACTS...Excessive rainfall may result in flooding of slot canyons, normally dry washes, slick rock areas, recent burn scars including Forsyth, France Canyon, Cottonwood, Silver King, and Monroe Canyon, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

From Recreation.gov

Reef Ride Bike Days 2026- On September 19 and 26, 2026 from sunrise to mid-afternoon the Scenic Drive will be closed to vehicles for this special event. Vehicles will still have access to the Fruita area, including the campground and Gifford House.

From Recreation.gov

Loop C bathhouse closes during the winter season due to a risk of freezing pipes. The bathhouse is closed approximately from mid-November to late March.

About

Fruita Campground is Capitol Reef National Park's sole developed campground, offering 71 sites in a grassy, semi-shaded oasis within Utah's red rock desert. Located one mile south of the visitor center in the Fruita Historic District, the campground sits adjacent to the Fremont River and is surrounded by nearly 3,100 fruit trees in historic orchards where visitors can pick cherries, apricots, peaches, and apples in season. The campground operates three loops: Loops A and B remain open year-round, while Loop C closes from mid-November through late March due to freezing risk in the bathhouse. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring (sites 7, 48, and 50 have grills only). Amenities include flush toilets, potable water fill station, dump station, and WiFi. There are no showers or individual hookups, though three ADA-accessible sites (14, 24, 63) offer electrical connections for medical devices only. From the campground, visitors can walk to Fremont Culture petroglyphs, the historic Gifford Homestead, hiking trails including Capitol Gorge and Cohab Canyon, and the Scenic Drive. The busy season runs mid-March through October when sites book months in advance; winter visits offer easier availability with a 30-day stay limit compared to 14 days during peak season.

Directions

From Interstate 70 westbound: Take Utah Highway 24 west at exit 149 toward Hanksville for 80 miles to the Visitor Center. From Interstate 15: Take US Highway 50 east at Scipio (exit 188) toward Salina for 30 miles, turn right on Highway 89/259 for 8 miles, then left on Highway 24 toward Sigurd for 82 miles. The campground is 1 mile south of the Visitor Center on the Scenic Drive.

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station Yes
Wifi Yes
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups Yes
Water Hookups No
Sewer Hookups No
Camp Store No
Price $25

Vehicle

Max RV Length 52ft
Max Trailer Length 52ft
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Email CARE_FEES@NPS.GOV
Phone +1 (435) 425-3791

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Starry Night at Gifford Homestead Near Fruita Campground
Autumn colors contrast with red rock formations
Facing North, Sites 51-71 in Loop C.
Loops A & B Campground Kiosk
Facing West, Sites 1-18 in Loop A
Moonrise over Capitol Reef.  Photo taken from Fruita Campground
Facing West, Sites 19-50 in Loop B.
Apricot Tree in bloom near Fruita Campground
Historic Gifford Barn near Fruita Campground
Wildlife near Fruita Campground
Navajo Dome overlooking the Freemont River
View from Rim Overlook a short hike from Fruita Campground

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