Definitely feels different than other national parks. More homey, less National. Fewer people visit here, and it feels like it. Most of Capitol Reef has gigantic canyons and impressive rocks, but the campground is in an area called Fruita, and is truly an oasis in the desert. It's next to the Fremont River and there are orchards all around. We picked apples for our breakfast!
It's an interesting little spot. This valley was inhabited by the Fremont indians (who may have split off from the better-known nearby Anasazi) for around 800 years, ending around 1275. They farmed here, growing corn mostly but also beans and squash. When the Mormon settlers arrived around 1880, they actually reused the Fremonts' irrigation ditches, and planted the fruit trees along with other crops. As for the gigantic canyons, if you've never walked down a narrow gorge, flanked on both sides by 800 foot cliffs, I highly recommend it. And it's SO easy here...no climbing down and back up...you can literally just stroll down the canyon bottom. Amazing.
That's why we LOVE this park - those amazing walks through washes. That and the peaches.
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