|
Contact: Lori Rome, 435-425-3791
The plum, pear and apple harvest is beginning at Capitol Reef National Park's historic orchards. All the fruits are available for $1.00 a pound. Plums will be available starting Friday, July 13 at the Tine Oyler and Mott Orchards. There are only a few plum trees and the park anticipates the supply lasting no longer than one to two days. The Mott Orchard is located across the Scenic Drive, just beyond the visitor center. The Tine Oyler orchard is located east of the visitor center on Highway 24. Pears and apples will be available starting Tuesday, July 17 at the Johnson Orchard. The orchard will be open between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm while fruit is available. The Johnson Orchard is located on the Scenic Drive next to the picnic area. Additional fruit harvest information 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 (435) 425-3791. Once the park number connects, press one for general information and, at the voice prompt for the orchard hotline, press five. Climbing fruit trees is not permitted in the park. The National Park Service provides special fruit picking ladders. Use care when picking fruit and carefully read and follow posted instructions on fruit picking and ladder use. Capitol Reef National Park uses the receipts from fruit sales to defray the cost of maintaining the orchards. The historic Fruita orchards are among the largest in the National Park System and were established beginning in the 1880s by pioneer residents of Fruita. |
Last updated: February 24, 2015