You know you're in a national park campground when it's quiet before quiet hours start at 10 pm. People are here to enjoy the beauty of Capitol Reef, and they're tired. And you need to get up early the next day to beat the afternoon threat of thunderstorms.

This campground has 3 loops with lots of trees...and grass!   Finding a spot for a tent (or two or three) at a site is easy. There are 5 walkin tent sites on loop B and 2 on loop C.

Site parking pads are quite large. Ours (#13) fit our vehicle and teardrop trailer side by side with lots of room in between. We had reserved this site for two nights and then moved to #8, one of the few available sites on Sunday morning. When you look at the parking pads, you may think you share yours with another site. Nope! The pads in loop C are longer but not as wide.

Drinking water and a dishwashing sink are located near each restroom (flush toilets and sinks). Showers are available for $6 at the Chuckwagon in Torrey. You can also find Wi-fi in Torrey at the Chuckwagon, Rim Rock and visitor center.

Something unique about this campground: Mulford Orchard is on the edge of loop C. You can pick your own apricots and pay $1/pound (honor system). When you are in the orchard or any of the others in town named after Mormon settlers, you can eat the fruit... for free. There's also Hickman House near loop A which sells cinnamon rolls, small pies and sourdough bread; people line up when it opens at 8 am.

You'll need to get in your car and drive to many sights, but there are a few you can hike to from the campground:

1. Cohab Canyon: It's a 3.4 mile roundtrip if you hike to Utah 24 and back, but you should go to the overlooks that are spurs off the route (which add 1.2 miles to the hike). Or continue across Rt 24 and hike to Hickman Bridge, a 1.8 mile roundtrip.

2. Fremont River trail

3. Fremont Gorge Overlook Trail, a 4+ mile roundtrip from the blacksmith's shop

4. The truly ambitious can hike to Cassidy Arch from the campground by way of Cohab Canyon, Frying Pan and Cassidy Arch Trails. I wouldn't try that in July-August when it seems like thunderstorms are possible every afternoon.

Be sure to get the Fruita area map and guide in addition to the usual NPS brochure.