Visiting the historic Fruita orchards at Capitol Reef National Park and picking fruit is one of the most cherished traditions in the park. These orchards once provided food and income for pioneer settlers, and today they offer a unique “U-Pick” experience when the fruit is ripe. National Park Service
The exact 2026 picking dates will depend on seasonal weather patterns, but based on longstanding harvest trends, here’s what to expect:
🍒 Fruit Picking Season — Estimated 2026 Windows
• Cherries & Apricots
📅 Mid-June to mid-July
Cherries are usually first to ripen, followed closely by apricots once summer warmth sets in.
• Peaches
📅 Late July to August
Sweet summer peaches tend to peak a bit later after cherries and apricots.
• Pears
📅 Early August to early-September
Pears usually ripen alongside late peaches, offering crisp picking into early fall.
• Apples
📅 Mid-August to mid-October
Apples have the longest season — often stretching well into October for later varieties.
📍 How Picking Works at the Orchards
👉 Fruit is only available when ripe and orchards display official “U-Pick Fruit” signs indicating they are open for harvesting. National Park Service
👉 You may only pick fruit that is ripe — unripe fruit should be left on the trees. National Park Service
👉 Fruit taken home must be paid for at the self-pay station near orchard entrances.
👉 Orchard hours vary:
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Fenced orchards: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
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Unfenced orchards: dawn to dusk National Park Service
Note: Exact start dates change slightly year to year depending on temperatures, frost, and rainfall. If conditions are unusually warm or cold, harvest windows may open earlier or later than expected. Travel Experience Live
🧠 Tips for Fruit Picking in 2026
✔ Call the orchard hotline before your visit for up-to-date picking conditions: 435-425-3791 and press #5 for orchard info. National Park Service
✔ Arrive earlier in the day — hottest picking times and best fruit often occur in the morning hours.
✔ Bring your own bags — while ladders and pickers are provided, bags help bring fruit home.
✔ Stop by the Visitor Center to check which orchards are open on the day of your visit.
✔ Fall (September–October) is prime apple season and often less crowded than mid-summer.
🍎 What You May Find By Fruit Type
| Fruit | Typical Picking Period (Historic Pattern) |
|---|---|
| Cherries | Mid-June → Early-July |
| Apricots | July |
| Peaches | August |
| Pears | August → Early-September |
| Apples | Mid-August → Mid-October |
This calendar should help you plan your visit around peak fruit picking in 2026.
🌦️ Remember
Because Capitol Reef orchards are in a high desert climate, flowering and harvest times can shift by a few weeks each year depending on spring frost, winter snowpack, and summer heat. Always check the park’s orchard hotline or visitor center before your trip for the most accurate, real-time 2026 pickup dates.
