Planning a visit to Chuckwagon Lodge in 2023? There’s no bad time of year to visit Torrey Utah. The town changes with the seasons, which means that there’s always something new to see.
But if you want to enjoy a day trip to Arches National Park or want to experience your first harvest season at the Fruita orchards in Capitol Reef, there are a few dates you should know before your trip. Keep reading to learn the 2023 dates to add to your calendar before you start planning your visit.
Visiting Arches National Park
Most visitors to Chuckwagon Lodge are planning to spend some time in Capitol Reef National Park. After all, our Torrey Utah resort is located less than five miles from the entrance to this national park. This makes it easy to spend the day in the park and head back to your room for a nap or some relaxation in no time.
But Capitol Reef isn’t the only national park that you can visit during your stay. Arches National Park is another great option located less than three hours from Chuckwagon Lodge, making it a great choice for a day trip. But if you do plan to visit Arches during your time at our Torrey resort, there are a few dates that you’ll need to know.
Dates to Know for a Timed Entry Ticket
For most of the year, Arches National Park requires a Timed Entry Ticket for all visitors. If you’re visiting the park between April 1 and October 31, you’ll need to purchase a Timed Entry Ticket to enter the park between 7 am and 4 pm.
If you want to enter the park before 7 am or after 4 pm, you won’t need to have a ticket. But to enter the park during the most popular time of day, you will.
Timed Entry Tickets often sell out quickly, especially at the height of the summer season. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at Recreation.gov. Tickets are available three months in advance in monthly blocks. Here are the dates you’ll need to know for the rest of 2023:
- Reservations for June 1-30 were available starting March 1
- Reservations for July 1-30 were available starting April 1
- Reservations for August 1031 are available starting May 1
- Reservations for September 1-30 are available starting June 1
- Reservations for October 1-31 are available starting July 1
If you missed out on getting a reservation in advance, you’ll have one more chance to grab a Timed Entry Ticket. Each day, a limited number of tickets are released for the following day. If you’re planning to visit after October 31, you won’t need a Timed Entry Ticket, no matter what time of day you enter the park.
Visiting Capitol Reef National Park
While a day trip to Arches or one of Torrey’s other attractions can be a great addition to your trip, you’ll definitely want to set aside plenty of time to enjoy Capitol Reef National Park. From the amazing hiking trails to the beautiful scenic drives, this often-overlooked national park is a must-see.
One of Capitol Reef’s most unique attractions is Fruita. This historic town is home to orchards full of fruit trees that were originally planted in the late 1800s by Mormon pioneers who settled in the area. Today, visitors to the park can still wander the orchards, and even pick fruit from the trees.
Dates to Know for the Fruita Orchards
If you’re planning a visit to Chuckwagon Lodge from early spring to late fall, there are a few dates that you should know. First are the dates to see the trees in bloom. There are four different types of fruit trees in the Fruita orchards. All four bloom with beautiful flowers in the spring. The blossoming trees are an incredible sight against the backdrop of Capitol Reef’s red rock cliffs.
If you want to see the blooms, you’ll need to know the following dates:
- Apricots: early March to mid-April
- Peaches: late March to late April
- Pears: late March to early May
- Apples: early April to early May
Of course, the most popular time to visit the Fruita orchards is during the harvest season. Visitors can pick all four types of fruit to take home with them. You’ll purchase the fruit that you’ve picked at the U-Pick self-pay stations located at the front of the orchards.
Harvest dates change a bit from year to year. When you arrive, look for the U-Pick signs letting visitors know which fruits are available for harvest that day. While the exact dates change, harvests usually fall around the following dates:
- Apricots: late June to mid-July
- Peaches: late July to early September
- Pears: early August to early September
- Apples: mid-August to mid-October
Planning Your 2023 Visit to Chuckwagon Lodge
If you’re planning a visit to Chuckwagon Lodge in 2023, knowing the above dates can help you better plan your trip.
Looking for another reason to start planning your next stay at Chuckwagon Lodge? Right now, when you book a stay of three or more nights, you’ll enjoy a 25 percent discount on your stay. Book today to take advantage of this deal before it’s too late!
