Fruit harvest ongoing at Capitol Reef National Park

CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK — The fruit harvest is ongoing at Capitol Reef National Park's historic orchards. All fruit is available for $1 per pound.

Red Astrachan and Yellow Transparent summer apples are still available in the Johnson Orchard, located on the Scenic Drive next to the picnic area. Beginning Thursday, Ginger Gold apples will also be ready for harvest in the Johnson Orchard, which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. while fruit is available.

On Tuesday, July 31, the Mott Orchard will open for harvest of Ginger Gold apples. The orchard, just south of the visitors center on the Scenic Drive, will be open for harvest during daylight hours.

Also on Tuesday, the Krueger Orchard opens for harvest of Rosa peaches. The Krueger Orchard, located east of the visitors center on state Route 24, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. while peaches are available.

Information is recorded on the Capitol Reef Fruit Hotline, 435-425-3791.

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.