The Gifford Homestead consists of a farmhouse in a lush, green valley that stands out from the surrounding red rock of Capitol Reef National Park. It is part of the 200-acre (80-hectare) Fruita Rural Historic District. Take a look around the various renovated and reconstructed buildings to learn about the early Mormon settlements of the Fruita Valley.
The homestead comprises a barn, a garden and a smokehouse. Note that the main home dates back to 1908, when polygamist Calvin Pendleton and his large family built and occupied it for 8 years. The site passed through the hands of other families, before Dewey Gifford sold it in 1969 to the National Park Service, signaling the end of the Fruita farming community.
Visit the Gifford Homestead to enjoy traditional delicacies, such as baked pies and fragrant and flavorful cinnamon rolls. Purchase souvenirs from the gift shop and get a sense of a typical Mormon farmhouse from the early 20th century. Walk past the cottonwood trees, explore the nearby fruit orchards and settle onto a lush section of grass for a picnic. The homestead also has picnic tables.
Deer and rabbits are among the local animals in the Fruita Valley. Snap photos of the wooden hut of the Fruita Barn. Enjoy excellent views of the red, rocky peaks surrounding the valley. Embark on a hike on the trails of the Fremont River and the Cohab Canyon.
The homestead is open to visitors daily from morning until late afternoon. Enter for free, after paying for vehicle access to the national park.
The Gifford Homestead stands in the heart of Capitol Reef National Park in southern Utah. It is just south of Sulphur Creek and west of the Cohab Canyon. Visit nearby highlights, such as the Ripple Rock Nature Center, Cuts Canyon and the Cohab Canyon Trail. Drive here and leave your car in the parking lot.