Fruita Campground

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.