Nearly 10,000 feet of sedimentary strata are found in the Capitol Reef area. These rocks range in age from Permian (as old as 270 million years old) to Cretaceous (as young as 80 million years old.) The Waterpocket Fold has tilted this geologic layercake down to the east. The older rocks are found in the western part of the park, and the younger rocks are found near the east boundary.

This layer-upon-layer sequence of sedimentary rock records nearly 200 million years of geologic history. Rock layers in Capitol Reef reveal ancient climates as varied as rivers and swamps (Chinle Formation), Sahara-like deserts (Navajo sandstone), and shallow ocean (Mancos shale).

Visitors to Capitol Reef are often curious about the orchards that lie within a mile or two of the visitor center. These trees are the most obvious remnant of the pioneer community of Fruita, which was settled in 1880. Usually no more than 10 families lived in Fruita at any one time, and the last resident moved away in 1969.

The early settlers planted these orchards to insure subsistence. Today, the orchards are preserved and protected as a Rural Historic Landscape. They hold approximately 2,700 trees and are composed of cherry, apricot, peach, pear, and apple, as well as a few plum, mulberry, almond, and walnut trees. The National Park Service now owns and maintains the orchards with a 2-person orchard crew that is kept busy year-round with pruning, irrigation, and orchard management.

Visitors are welcome to stroll in any unlocked orchard, and may consume as much ripe fruit as they wish while within the orchards themselves.