Gifford Homestead Tours

Capitol Reef National Park featuring a gorge or canyon, tranquil scenes and desert views


Appreciate the fascinating Mormon history, admire the spectacular scenery and visit the bakery and gift shop in these wooden cabins.

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.

Reviews of Gifford Homestead

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
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4 - Good
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" "4 - Good 32.78688524590164%
3 - Okay
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" "3 - Okay 9.01639344262295%
2 - Disappointing
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4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Cute little old house of the last inhabitants of the original Mormons that lived in the area. Unfortunately, missed out on the pies.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveler

All they are doing is trying to sell food

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Get there early to get one of their delicious home made pies. We got the last Strawberry/Rhubarb and am glad we did. It was to die for!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

more of a gift shop than museum. A bit disappointing

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Nice gift shop

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