Buying Homemade Pies At The Gifford House In Capitol Reef National Park
The Gifford House and Museum in Capitol Reef National Park is a historic house located in the Fruita Historic District of the park, which is in Utah, USA. The house is named after the Gifford family, who were early settlers in the area.
The Gifford House was built in the early 1900s and served as a homestead and community center for the small farming community that once thrived in Fruita.
It was originally built in 1908 by polygamist Calvin Pendleton.
The Jorgen Jorgensen family then resided in it until Jorgensen’s daughter, Nell, married Dewey Gifford in 1923. The Gifford family occupied the home for the next 41 years.
In addition to the farmhouse, the Gifford homestead includes a barn with horses, a smokehouse, a garden, and a pasture all surrounded by the gorgeous rock walls the park is known for.
The Capitol Reef Natural History Association, in cooperation with the National Park Service, has renovated and refurnished the Gifford farmhouse. Today, it is operated as a museum and gift shop by the National Park Service.
Items for sale include reproduction utensils and household tools used by Mormon pioneers.
Unique handmade items made by local artisans and craftsmen include quilts, aprons, woven rugs, soap, crockery, candles, and toys.
Local jams and jellies are also available for sale.
What most people visit the store for though is to purchase their locally baked fruit pies.
Fresh pies such as peach, apple, cherry, mixed berry, and strawberry rhubarb are made daily and brought in the morning.
These pies usually sell out before noon so getting there early is key to guaranteeing you get the pie you want. We got there ten minutes before they opened and by the time they did open, there was already a line out the gate.
We chose to get the mixed berry and strawberry rhubarb pies.
Neither of us had ever eaten strawberry rhubarb pie before and we loved it. The crust was sugary sweetness and the filling was oh-so delicious! Two thumbs up for sure.
The mixed berry pie was ok. The crust wasn’t nearly as yummy and the filling wasn’t as good.
They also bake fresh cinnamon rolls every day.
The cinnamon rolls were also just ok. Not enough cinnamon and neither of us were fans of the icing. They were super moist though so that’s always a bonus.
The pies are $8.50 a piece and are large enough for two people to enjoy a decent slice each.
Cinnamon Rolls are $4 a piece and can be shared between two individuals as well.
Pies come in a paper bag with some history of the Fruita area printed on them.
The Gifford House and Museum is a popular stop for visitors to enjoy some delicious baked goods and learn about the history of the region.
Stopping in for a pie is one of the must-do things while visiting the park.
The Gifford House is located one mile from the visitor center on the Scenic Drive.
It is typically open from March 14 (Pi Day) to late November. Hours are generally 9 am to 4:30 pm with a 45-minute closure from noon to 12:45 pm (hours may vary by season).
A small parking lot is adjacent to the Gifford House. Parking for oversized vehicles is available across the road.
