Fruita is the best-known settlement in Capitol Reef National Park, located at the confluence of Fremont River and Sulphur Creek.
It was established in 1880 by a group of Mormons led by Nels Johnson, under the name "Junction." The town became known as Fruita in 1902 or 1904. In 1900, Fruita was named The Eden of Wayne County for its large orchards. Fruita was abandoned in 1955 when the National Park Service purchased the town to be included in Capitol Reef National Park.

Today few buildings remain, except for the restored schoolhouse and the Gifford house and barn. The orchards remain, now under the ownership of the National Park Service, and have about 2,500 trees. The orchards are preserved by the NPS as a "historic landscape".