Fruita Campground

Capitol Reef National Park

Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles (160 km). The Fruita Campground has 71 sites. 65 sites are reservable year round- there are no longer first come, first serve sites any time of year. Sites 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 are used as administrative sites. Sites 14, 24, and 63 are accessible sites with electrical hookups. While Loop C is closed in the winter season, generators are allowed in Loops A & B during generator hours. The rest of the year, generators are only allowed in Loop C. 

The Fruita Campground has 71 sites. 65 sites are reservable year round. Sites 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 are used as administrative sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring (except sites 7, 48 and 50, which only have an above ground grill). There is a RV dump and potable water fill station near the entrance to Loops A and B. Restrooms have running water and flush toilets, but no showers.   

Accessible campsites are located adjacent to restrooms.  

Campsites have no individual water or sewage hookups. There are no electrical hookups (except accessible sites 14, 24, and 63). Electrical hookups at these sites are for required medical devices only. Power hookups at these sites are for required medical devices only.  

There are no first-come, first-served sites during reservation season. A Fruita Campground map (PDF) is available on the park website. 

Notifications and Alerts

• Sites 14, 24, and 63 are ADA sites with electrical hookups that are intended for medical devices only. 

• Construction Alert in Fruita Campground: Please be aware that an irrigation project will be taking place in Fruita Campground in the walk-in tent area in Loop B, Sites 43-47. All sites in the campground will remain open during the irrigation project. Be advised there will be construction during normal business hours in that area.    

• The Scenic Drive is open to just past the Grand Wash intersection. The section beyond Grand Wash to Capitol Gorge will open late December. Work will continue along the Scenic Drive over the winter, with potential lane closures and traffic control. In spring 2025, Scenic Drive will temporarily close again to allow the second layer of pavement to be placed before its final reopening.

Need to Know

• Bring Reservation Information. There is no cell coverage at the campground, so please print, write down or otherwise save your confirmation and site number to present upon arrival.

• Stay Limit. Fruita Campground has a 14 day stay limit per year. Reservations must be made in 5 day segments. 

• Generators Hours: Mountain Daylight Time (Mar.–Nov.): 8 am–10 am and 6 pm–8 pm. Mountain Standard Time (Nov.–Mar.): 8 am–10 am and 5 pm–7 pm. From March 1 through Thanksgiving weekend, generators are only permitted in the C loop. The remainder of the year, generators are allowed in Loops A and B. Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am. ADA sites with an electrical hook up (14, 24, and 63) are for required medical devices only.

• Wildlife. Campers often see Mule Deer in the campground. Do not approach or feed them. As a visitor, you are responsible for your safety and the safety of the animals. Keep a distance of 30 feet between you and deer. You are responsible for backing up to a safe distance, even if the deer moves toward you.  

• Horses. Do not enter horse pastures where horses are present. Do not feed the horses.

• Campfires. Fires may be built only in the grills and campfire rings provided. NOTE: Sites 7, 48 and 50 have grills, but no campfire rings.

• Firewood. The park prohibits wood gathering. You may purchase firewood at the Gifford House or at local stores during the summer season. Please fully extinguish fires.

• Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org. to learn more. Use of fuel burning stoves is encouraged.

• Washing. Do not wash dishes or clothing at water faucets or in the restrooms. You must collect gray water and dump into the utility sink.

• Pets. All pets must be on leash (6 feet or less in length) at all times. The park does not allow pets on the trails or in the backcountry or to leave pets unattended.

• Orchards. You may pick fruit in orchards posted as open. There is no charge for fruit consumed within the orchard but all fruit taken out must be weighed and paid for. A scale and self-pay station are provided near each open orchard. Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

• Hanging Lines. Hammocks, clotheslines, and slacklines are permitted only during daylight hours (unless the hammock is currently occupied i.e. you are sleeping for the night in your hammock), in your own campsite, and in such a way that no resource damage occurs. Slacklines must be attended at all times.

• For more information: visit the Capitol Reef National Park website. To contact park staff with questions or to report a late arrival, please email care_fees@nps.gov or call 435-425-4173 (Sunday-Wednesday) or 435-425-3791 (Thursday-Saturday)

Natural Features

The Fruita Campground area is located one mile south of the visitor center and is often described as an oasis within the desert. Fruita Campground is a semi-shaded, grassy campground and is located in the Fruita Historic District of the park.

Nearby Attractions

The Fruita campground is adjacent to the Fremont River and is a short walk from the group site, amphitheater, picnic areas, hiking trails, the historic Gifford house and orchards.

Recreation

Walk to historic inscriptions on the Capitol Gorge Trail and stroll the Goosenecks Trail or longer trails such as Cohab Canyon, Chimney Rock, and Cassidy Arch. Check out our Trail Guide to explore your options.

Enjoy the geology and view the Fremont Culture Petroglyphs along Hwy 24. In addition, the Scenic Drive will introduce you to the fascinating cultural and geological history of Capitol Reef National Park. The drive includes a portion of the original road through the Waterpocket Fold. The road passes through parts of the Fruita Historic District and follows the western faces of the Waterpocket Fold, and spur roads allow exploration into beautiful Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge.

Check at the Visitor Center for a current schedule of interpretive programs, which may include geology talks, Fremont culture talks, evening programs, star gazing, moonwalks, and geology hikes. Stop in at Ripple Rock Nature Center to experience interactive exhibits, games, activities, and free educational programs. 

Wander through the historic Fruita Orchards and pick fresh fruit when in season. The orchards contain approximately 3,100 trees including cherry, apricot, peach, pear, apple, plum, mulberry, almond, and walnut.

Discover Mormon pioneer history at the historic Gifford Homestead store and museum.

Contact Information

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HC 70 BOX 15 Torrey UT 84775

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: (435)425-4172(MON-THUR) OR (435)425-3791(FRI-SUN) OR EMAIL CARE_FEES@NPS.GOV

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

Traveling westbound on Interstate 70: Take Utah State Highway 24 west towards Hanksville (exit 149). Stay on Highway 24 for 80 miles (129 km) to reach the park Visitor Center.


Traveling on Interstate 15: Take US Highway 50 east at Scipio (exit 188) towards Salina for 30 miles (48 km). At the junction with Utah State Highway 89/259, turn right (south) and travel 8 miles (13 km). Turn left (east) onto Utah State Highway 24 towards Sigurd. Continue on Highway 24 for 82 miles (132 km) to reach the park Visitor Center.

Available Campsites

• Site 014, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Electric
• Site 034, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 040, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 062, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 057, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 059, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Electric
• Site 043, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 065, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 061, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 058, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 055, Loop Loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 066, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 052, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 071, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 051, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 060, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 064, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 056, Loop Loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 063, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Electric
• Site 069, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 070, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 067, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 053, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 068, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 054, Loop Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric

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