With some of the best national parks to visit in Utah, it is easy to find hidden gems all over the state. One of these gems comes in the form of fruit — a fruit orchard that is. For a truly delightful time in the best parks in Utah, check out the orchards at Capitol Reef National Park:

The little town of Fruita was settled by Mormons in 1880 and the Gifford Homestead still stands today as part of Capitol Reef National Park.
Wayne Hsieh/flickr
Fruita was a small community and no more than 10 families ever lived here at once. The Gifford Homestead was built in 1908 by Calvin Pendleton, who built the small, original house, barn, and smokehouse. The third family to occupy the home was the Gifford family, who moved in in 1928 and lived there for 48 years.
The homestead includes 200 acres of orchards with hundreds of trees, which are maintained by the National Park Service.
JR P/flickr
The orchards served as both a cash crop for the community and a source of delicious, fresh fruit for the residents. You'll find cherries, apples, pears, peaches and apricots, and a variety of nut trees here.
Visitors can stroll through the orchards at any time.
Will Warner/flickr
As long as the orchard gates are unlocked, feel free to stroll through the orchards and enjoy this shady oasis. The park asks that you don't pick fruit until it's in season, however. There are posted signs indicating which fruit is ripe and can be picked. However, all fruit taken from the orchard must be paid for at a self-pay station.

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Once the fruit is ready to be harvested, visitors can join in the fun.
Homeschool Traveler/flickr
Ladders and hand-held pickers are available for guests to use during harvest season. Never climb these historic trees as approximately 1,000 trees have already died due to poor soil conditions, age, and disease.
To enjoy the harvest's bounty without the work, stop by the Gifford Homestead Kitchen.
JR P/flickr
The building that once housed the homestead's kitchen serves as a little store that offers handmade items, gifts, and tasty treats.
One of the most popular items for sale here? The fresh pies!
JR P/fickr
After you explore the homestead, you'll want to stop by for a fresh pie or cinnamon roll.
You can enjoy your pies at a picnic table under the shady trees, along with an old-fashioned soda. This is the perfect way to enjoy a visit to one of the best national parks in Utah.
mdurf/Tripadvisor

Learn more about the Gifford Homestead’s orchards on the Capitol Reef National Park website, and follow the park on Facebook for the latest updates about the fruit harvests and this national park to visit in Utah.

Have you ever harvested fruit from Capitol Reef’s orchards? We’d love to see your photos and hear about your experiences! Make sure to share your stories and photos in the comments.

If you have never been to Capitol Reef National Park in Utah but are planning a visit, make sure to check out our previous article with just nine reasons why we consider this one of the best parks in Utah.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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National Park to visit in Utah

Courtnie Erickson | June 30, 2022

What are some of the best parks in Utah to visit?

With five of the busiest national parks in the entire country and dozens of state parks scattered around the state, it is almost impossible to list the best parks in Utah to visit. However, there are many that definitely deserve your attention and should be added to your bucket list. One of these is Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Located in the southern part of the state, just outside of Escalante, is this lesser-known state park. Here, you can find remarkable deposits of mineralized wood and it is also home to the beautiful Wide Hollow Reservoir. Because this park is tucked away and not as well-known as many other state parks in Utah, this is an excellent area to escape the crowds.

What are some of the best hiking trails in Utah?

There are hundreds of hiking trails scattered around the state that are just waiting to be explored. While you will find many of these in the best parks in Utah, there are others that are just as spectacular. One of our favorite hiking trails in Utah is the Arches Trail, found in Red Canyon, between the small town of Panguitch and Bryce Canyon National Park. This short 0.6-mile loop trail will take you to natural arches and hoodoos, all without the busy crowds found at Bryce Canyon.

What are some things to do outside in Utah?

In the Beehive State, there is an endless list of things to do outside in Utah. One of our favorite activities, particularly during the summer months, is to head to the lake. While there are dozens of lakes to visit in Utah, Marjorie Lake is one body of water where you can not only enjoy scenic views but a little peace and quiet as well. But, to reach this lake, you must conquer a 5.6-mile trail.

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