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Fruita Campground

Scenic Drive, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah 84775 USA

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The 71 site Fruita campground is the only developed campground in the park, offering picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms, water and a dump station. A $25 nightly fee is charged. It is open year-round. From March through October, campsites are able to be reserved on www.recreation.gov. From November through February, campsites are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Reviews of Fruita Campground

32 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

4.8 Access
5.0 Location
4.8 Cleanliness
4.6 Site Quality
4.7 Noise

Cell Coverage

Verizon 4G/5G

Confirmed by 15 users | Last reported on October 22, 2023

AT&T 4G/5G

Confirmed by 11 users | Last reported on May 24, 2023

T-Mobile 4G/5G

Confirmed by 4 users | Last reported on May 24, 2023
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  • Photographer
  • 1,117 Reviews
  • 98 Helpful
May 26, 2015
Rated

The Fruita Campground is often described as an oasis within the desert. Adjacent to the Fremont River and surrounded by historic orchards, this developed campground has 71 RV/tent sites, each with a picnic table and grill, but no individual water. Sewage or electrical hook-ups. An RV dump station, located near the entrance to Loops A and B, is open during the summer. Restrooms are heated and feature running water and flush toilets, but not showers. The nightly fee is $10.00, or $5.00 for Golden Age/Senior Pass and Golden Access/Access Pass holders. An accessible site is located in Loop B adjacent to the restroom.Open year-round, the Fruita Campground is the only developed campground in Capitol Reef National Park and as a result often fills by early to mid-afternoon during the spring through fall seasons. Sites are first-come, first-served and self-serve, and campground hosts (located at the beginning of Loop A) are available to assist you during the summer season. We do not take reservations.Group Site is available by reservation and can accommodate a maximum of 40 people.Group Campsite Reservations Capitol Reef National Park HC 70, Box 15 Torrey, UT 84775 Or faxed to 435-425-3026

1 person found this review helpful
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Reviewed by
Campendium

July 20, 2015
Rated

The Fruita Campground is part of a former Mormon settlement dating back to the late 1800's. While the settlers have long since left, their legacy remains in extensive fruit orchards that are still maintained by park staff. Apparently campers are allowed to pick fruit during season. The campground really does feel like an oasis in a desert with the fast flowing Freemont River beside the campground (and source of water for the campground and orchards).

There are three loops (A, B, C); loop C has larger sites for bigger rigs than the other two. The campground is unserviced but a water fill station and dump station is provided. Water spigots are also located throughout the campground. Most sites are shaded by the trees so take this into consideration when either selecting a site or bringing a generator. Our site 28 did receive sun for much of the day. Parking pads are paved and many are double width which makes up for their short length (loops A and B). We had room for the trailer with the truck parked beside. The campground is open with grass beneath trees however the sites are well spaced for privacy.

Amenities are pretty basic with restrooms lacking hot water and showers although they are generally clean. The camping fee just doubled to $20 per night; I would like to see this put to improvements to the facilities.

Note the campground is first come-first served (no reservations). The campground was usually full by mid-day (we were there in early May) so it's best to arrive early. There is a BLM site west of the campground near the town of Torrey (I seem to recall at mile 73). This is a useful place to camp overnight to allow an early arrival at the Fruita campground.

Check out the nearby Gifford House by the campground for fresh fruit pies delivered every morning from Torrey. We were unable to receive cell service at the campground (AT&T) and had to go to Torrey to make calls. The visitor centre in Torrey also provided good internet access.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: 28

3 Access
5 Location
3 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise
  • 144 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
October 18, 2015
Rated

This campground is truly an oasis in the desert. All the sites are in a shaded valley with a creek running through it. They are widely spaced and paved, though short. All have fire pits and picnic tables. Some have grass, but some are dirt where the grass can't seem to grow. The bathrooms were clean and well kept, but there were not very many for the number of camp spaces. This campground fills early - the day we left there were cars lined up at dawn waiting for a space. The camp host said that sometimes people have gone and knocked on camper doors before dawn asking if people were planning on leaving.....glad that didn't happen to us. Despite being full each night, it was very quiet at night. My absolute favorite thing about this campground, however, was the PIE walking distance from our site! The concessionaire has pie and huge cinnamon rolls for sale each day. What could be better than pie after a long hike in the desert. The apples were ripe for the picking when we were there, as well, and were free for the taking. Absolutely no cell service at the campground. No wifi at the visitor center.

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roadtripper652367 would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $10.00

Days Stayed: 4

Site Number: -

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise
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Reviewed by
Campendium

May 20, 2017
Rated

The Fruita Campgound in Capitol Reef NP is a veritable oasis in the desert. Surrounded by towering rock formations, the beautiful valley and its historic orchards are irrigated by the Fremont River. Huge cottonwood trees line the road and provide shade in the campground. Nearby orchards provide apples, peach, cherry, plum, apricots and almonds during harvest season. The Gifford House store and museum, just a short walk from the campground, provides an array of local goods including fresh cinnamon rolls and five varieties of fruit pie. Well worth a daily pilgrimage.

The campground is entirely first come-first serve and in mid-May was completely full by early afternoon every day. Arriving well before noon will improve your chances of getting a spot. There are three loops, A and B are interconnected, while C loop’s entrance is a little further up the road. Each site has a firepit, grill, and picnic table. The sites are spacious, paved, mostly level, and many are large enough to accommodate big rigs.

The restrooms have flush toilets, a sink for gray water disposal, and potable water. No showers. There is a dump station with potable water in the A/B Loop. There is plastic and aluminum recycling at the campground and visitor’s center and glass recycling at the Gifford picnic area.

Some hikes can be accessed right from the campground and several trailheads are just a short drive away. This is probably one of the nicest national park campgrounds we’ve visited.

We had no Verizon service in the campground or national park visitor’s center. We got some signal at Panorama Point. Drive into Torrey and access free WiFi at the Wayne County Visitor’s Center. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff there too.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 4

Site Number: C-61

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise
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Reviewed by
Campendium

July 20, 2017
Rated

If you camp in National Parks as often as we do then you have probably seen the campground pattern too. They are either wonderfully maintained, well staffed, adorably laid out, reasonably priced, and run by the NPS! OR they are boring, terrible, dirty, rudely staffed, crazy expensive for dry camping and contracted out to companies that belong only in corporate lunch rooms like Aramark. This is most certainly one of the former.

During our two days of bliss here (no internet) I kept trying to think of the right words to describe it, and the only one that I kept coming back to was 'oasis'. That's what it feels like to be in the desert, tucked down against a massive red cliff and yet hearing water flowing and sitting in the shade of a giant cottonwood.

The sites vary in size and it will be a challenge to get one. We came at 7am, dumped and respectfully asked the camp host which sites were opening up so we could wait to grab one. Luckily one opened up quickly and it happened to fit us beautifully. Campers continued to arrive as late as 6pm outraged over the full campground, but it's hard to feel bad when the NPS website so clearly outlines that it fills every morning.

The historic building near the campground sells homemade pies, ice cream, and cinnamon buns. They were all so good we stopped in there 4 times during our 2 day stay and it was hard to not go more. In the fall, you can pick fruit in the orchards throughout the Fruita area, which I can only imagine to be a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

There is a lot of hiking very close to the campground and we hiked our butts off here. The scenery is so immense and powerful, yet the Fruita campground feels so intimate and safe - truly one of my favorite National Park experiences.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 18

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
3 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

AT&T 4G

  • 11 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
August 23, 2017
Rated

This is a favorite campground. Sites are spacious, many trees, lots of grass. The views are beautiful with fruit orchards in the valley and the lovely red cliffs in the background. The fruit is free for the picking, free firewood, and free dump for the RV. The weather in August was 85 high and 60 low. No cell service in the park.

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roadtripper6964722 would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 67

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise
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Reviewed by
Campendium

March 31, 2018
Rated

Easy to find, well organized and laid out. Used my Senior Pass so No NPS fee. The campground was clean, had a level, paved site that was large. The only hick-up was that our camper door is on the starboard side and the table and fire ring was on the other side.

Hosts were very friendly and informative. The weather for March was cold with snow, wind and clouds, but then again, it's Utah in the Springtime. We would stay here again. Highly recommended to get a reservation as it's very popular with tenters and short time campers.

Restrooms were not the cleanest but well looked after by the hosts and got very heavy use from tent campers. Don't miss the pie and ice cream from the local venders at the old farm house. WHAT A TREAT!!!

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $10.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 35

5 Access
5 Location
4 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon

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Reviewed by
Campendium

April 06, 2018
Rated

Beautiful location amongst the red rocks. There are orchards that surround most of the 3 loops. Deer roam freely around the campground, and adjoining orchards.
Sites were fairly spacious but not really any privacy to speak of. Generator hours are very limited and strictly enforced. We stayed in Loop C and from the looks of the other campers in our loop, most of the sites are not very level. Ours certainly wasn't.
There is a dump site located in Loop B, and it also has a Potable water connection so you can refill your rig if needed.
Overall we had a pretty great experience, and it was wonderful being in the middle of the park. We did go over Easter weekend and expected it to be very busy. It was. My personal preference will be to do more research and find a boon docking location just outside the park on our next visit. Just to many people.

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Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 5

Site Number: 59

5 Access
5 Location
4 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
3 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon

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Reviewed by
Campendium

June 06, 2018
Rated

Wonderful campground with grass, level site, and shade at most sites. There is little in the way of separation of campsites with bushes, some are further apart than others. So if you are looking for privacy, this may not be the spot for you. Since we don't have AC we look for sites with shade and face East or North. Lots of options at this quiet and tranquil campground along the Freemont River. Also great views of the cliffs surrounding the campground. Make sure you go to the small house near the campground that sells fruit pies, sour dough bread, and cinnamon rolls. They are the perfect size for two people. There is a dump station, central water and bathroom, but no showers. You have to drive to Torrey and they are expensive. You can now make reservations through Reserve America or Recreation.gov

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $10.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: 30

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise
Photo of Campendium

Reviewed by
Campendium

June 26, 2018
Rated

We had a great site. Partial shade during afternoon but plenty of sun for the solar.

There are no hook ups and one small dump that can get busy. There is NO cell service.

There is great hiking, a clean and maintained campground and great views. Restrooms need some updating and showers would be nice.

In the park is the Gifford house. Fresh pies and cinnamon rolls every day 😊.

Oh, if you are there at the right time, you can pick fruit in the campground.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 10

Site Number: 51

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
4 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon

AT&T

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Fruita Campground

Scenic Drive
Capitol Reef National Park
Utah
84775 USA
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Hours

Open 24 hours today
  • Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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  • Unavailable
    Parking
  • Check
    Pets Allowed
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    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
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    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Unknown
    Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
National park
Back In RV Sites Count
12
Check In
11:00 AM
Check Out
11:00 AM
Group Tent Sites Count
1
Last Nightly Rate
20.0
Longest Vehicle Length Reported
41.0
Lowest Nightly Rate
3.0
Max Length
45 ft
Max Stay
14
Sites Count
71
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    Paved Sites
  • Unavailable
    Fifty Amp
  • Unavailable
    Full Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through
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    Tent Sites
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    Dump Station
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    Big Rigs
  • Unavailable
    Open Seasonally
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    Age Restricted
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    Back In RV Sites
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    Boondock
  • Unavailable
    Cabin Sites
  • Unavailable
    Dispersed Sites
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    Equestrian Sites
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    Firewood
  • Unavailable
    Fulltime Residents
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    Group Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Laundry
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    Mobile Homes
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    Permit Required
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    Potable Water
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    Propane
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    Public Water
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    Reservations
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    Standard Tent Sites
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    Trailer Permitted
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    Vehicle Wash Permitted
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    Water Hookup
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