News Release

2020 Fruit Harvest

Date: March 6, 2020
Contact: Visitor Center, [phone]

In a few months it will be fruit harvest season! Cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, apples, and pears are typically available for harvest each summer at Capitol Reef National Park. Predictions for the 2020 fruit season show that the bloom may begin in early April and last for two to three weeks. Bing Cherries are expected to be available in limited quantities beginning in early June. Apricots are expected to become available mid-June. Apples and pears may begin in late July to early August and the main peach harvest is expected to occur in mid-August.

“Moderate temperatures and precipitation indicate a robust fruit harvest this year, with bloom starting in early April. Hotter than average mid-summer temperatures are predicted for this year which may result in an earlier harvest for 2020.” says Horticulturist Fritz Maslan. Current fruit harvest information and pricing is recorded on the Capitol Reef fruit hotline as fruit ripens and specific harvest start dates are determined. The fruit hotline may be reached by calling [phone]. Once the park number connects, press one for general information and, at the next prompt for the orchard hotline, press five. Fruit harvest information is also updated on the park’s Facebook page and Twitter feed. For more information about the Fruita orchards visit:  https://www.nps.gov/care/learn/historyculture/orchards.htm.

Capitol Reef National Park uses the money collected from fruit sales to defray the cost of maintaining the orchards, among the largest in the National Park System. These orchards are maintained using historic fruit production methods that provide insights into the challenges faced by the pioneer settlers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who established the orchards in the late 1880s.

The National Park Service provides special fruit picking ladders and tools. Climbing fruit trees is not permitted in the park. Carefully read and follow posted instructions while picking fruit. Watch your footing when walking through the orchards and use caution on ladders. Please bring your own bags for collecting fruit.

For more information about Capitol Reef National Park, visit www.nps.gov/care, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CapitolReefNPS/, Twitter www.twitter.com/CapitolReefNPS, and Instagram at www.instagram.com/Capitolreefnps