Known for being the best settlement in Capitol Reef National Park, Fruita, Utah has lots to offer. From Visiting one of Utah’s National Parks to discovering the history of Fruita, there are so many impressive things to check out. Let’s check out what the area has for you to explore.
Check out Capitol Reef National Park’s Visitor Center
Capitol Reef National Park, located in the heart of Utah’s Red Rock Country, filled with many hidden treasures. Start your journey at Capitol Reef National Park’s Visitor Center. The Visitor Center contains an enormous amount of information, from rangers to answer your questions, a bookstore for you to buy souvenirs and informational materials, to exhibits for you to check out as well.
Visit the Fruita Orchards
Along the Fremont River and Sulphur Creek lies the Fruita Orchards. The history of the Orchards serves as a connection to the pioneer agricultural tradition. This gave a living connection between the locals, the history, and the culture. The fragile balance of the local climate and the availability of irrigation water allowed the trees to survive. Checking out the Visitor Center can give you additional information about the orchards. You can also be able to pick some fruit off of the trees.
Explore the Fremont Culture Petroglyphs
Do you know what a Petroglyph is? A Petroglyph is an image that is carved or pecked into stone. They are the most visible aspects of the remaining culture that was there back in the 300-1300 CE era. Along Utah State Route 24 lies The Fremont Culture Petroglyphs, only accessible from 2 wooden boardwalks. The Short boardwalk, provides you a larger view of the anthropomorphic petroglyphs, and the longer boardwalk, provides you with a more birds eye view of the petroglyphs. Helpful tip; bring a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at some of the harder-to-see petroglyphs.
Learn the History of Fruita, Utah with the Gifford Homestead
In the heart of the Fruita Valley, lies the Gifford Homestead. The original house, built by Calvin Pendleton in 1908 was only inhabited by 3 families; Calvin Pendleton’s family being the first family, Jorgen Jorgensen’s family being the second, and lastly the Gifford’s family. The Gifford’s along with raising livestock, they frequently got together with other residents in Fruita for many fun festivities. In 1969, the Gifford’s sold their home and land to the National Park Service for travelers to visit and explore the start of the Fruita’s history.
Hike the Devils Canyon Trail
Offering phenomenal hiking and even horseback riding opportunities, for those wanting to ride the trail on horseback, is the Devil’s Canyon Trailhead. With colorful cliffs and deep canyons, shaped by shallow seas, a roaming river system, an uplift; a landscape that is pushed up from below, and some erosion, this trail tells many stories. These well-maintained trails give some interesting history, showing you some indications of where the ancient rivers used to be 140 million years ago.
Camp at the Fruita Campground
If you like camping out under the night skies, then the Fruita Campground is for you! Surrounded by historic orchards, this oasis within the desert has 71 sites. Each site is provided with a picnic table, a fire pit, and an above-ground grill. These campsites are reservable year-round, with reservations accepted up to 6 months ahead of time.
Join in on a Ranger-Led Program
Within Capitol Reef National Park, you can check out some interesting Ranger-Led programs. Such as the year-round programs; Geology Talk and the Junior Ranger Program. There are also summer programs. For example, the Archeology Talks, the Evening Program, the Astronomy Program, and even the Night Sky viewing.
Hike the Sulphur Creek Trail
The Sulphur Creek Trail, a 5.8-mile hike through Sulphur Creek Canyon. This trail will have you cut through deep canyons, passing through the oldest rocks that are exposed at Capitol Reef. With a flow that varies in response to the upstream water usage, snowmelt, and heavy rain, making it a perennial steam. The Sulphur Creek Trail has a couple miles of scenic narrows and even 3 small waterfalls. This route almost always requires a little walking in some shallow waters, and at some times may even be deeper waters requiring you to swim.
Explore the Fruita Schoolhouse
Have you ever wondered what school was like back in the early 1900s? The Fruita Schoolhouse, built in 1896, will give you everything from the history of schooling in Fruita to an idea of what schools used to look like as well! The schoolhouse today can be viewed through the windows into the furnished structure. Some visitors say that with a good imagination of what school was like, you may even hear the old-school bell ringing.
Check out Hickman Bridge
Located 2 miles east of the Capitol Reef Visitor Center, lies a trailhead to the Hickman Bridge. Offering hikers an astonishingly scenic trek up to a large natural arch. This natural bridge sits just over 300 feet above the Fremont River and Highway 24.
In Need of a Place to Stay?
After a long day of exploring all of Fruita, you may want to enjoy a nice relaxing hotel or lodge. In need of somewhere to go? Then Cougar Ridge is the place for you. Offering our Luxurious Lodge and Villas to On-Site and Off-Site Activities for you and your whole party. To book, contact us through our Guest Services Number; (435) 680-9170 or you can email us for more information at info@cougarridge.com.