Fruita Historic District — Gifford Homestead and Orchards, Capitol Reef

Fruita is the green strip in the red rock: a pioneer-era settlement along the Fremont River, now run by the Park Service, with orchards, a restored schoolhouse and the Gifford Homestead. The homestead sells small fruit pies, baked goods and preserves, and it sells out early on busy days. Orchard fruit is free to eat on-site in season, and u-pick runs roughly June through October, depending on the crop. Check with the visitor center for what’s ripe and what the fees are.

For the Notom–Bullfrog run, this is the place to top off water, dump trash and eat something that didn’t come out of a cooler before you head east. The turnoff to Notom Road is a short drive east on Highway 24, and everything past it is dirt with no services. Fruita sits on pavement and any vehicle can reach it. Pie hours and orchard conditions change by season, so verify ahead. Ask a ranger about road and wash conditions before you commit to the Waterpocket Fold.

Pioneer orchards and pie before the Waterpocket Fold