North Fruita Desert Campground
The North Fruita Desert campground is a mountain biker’s paradise with campsites situated at the heart of the famous "18 Road" trail system and within easy reach of the world-renowned Kokopelli Trail system. Come to the North Fruita Desert for an active outing of riding and relaxing with family and friends. Ride to the trails in just a few minutes from any of the campsites. The trail system and associated camping amenities provide great opportunities to experience the diverse desert terrain along the base of the Book Cliffs. Food, lodging and other amenities are available nearby in the City of Fruita.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 99 |
| Tent-only | 40 |
| Group sites | 3 |
| Group tent areas | 1 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 80 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
144 sites in 11 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A01 | A | Standard | Pull-through | 25 | Gravel | 10 / 2 | ||||
| A02 | A | Tent only | Pull-through | Gravel | 10 / 2 | |||||
| A03 | A | Tent only | Gravel | 10 / 2 | ||||||
| A04 | A | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | 10 / 1 | |||||
| A05 | A | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | 10 / 1 | |||||
| A06 | A | Tent only | Pull-through | Gravel | 10 / 1 | |||||
| A07 | A | Tent only | Pull-through | Gravel | 10 / 1 | |||||
| A08 | A | Standard | Pull-through | 50 | Gravel | 10 / 2 | ||||
| A09 | A | Tent only | Pull-through | 35 | 10 / 2 | |||||
| A10 | A | Standard | Pull-through | 50 | Gravel | 10 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site.
27 campsite locations mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The site numbers are theirs and may not match the posts at the campground. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Campsite rates are $20 per night and include up to 10 people and 2 vehicles. There is an $8 non-refundable reservation fee for each reservation. Please note, you cannot change your check-in date. |
| Accessibility | Sites F02, F03, F08, F09 and 13 more are listed accessible |
The campground is split into two distinct units – the Upper Campground and the Lower Campground. The Upper Campground contains 58 campsites, including two group sites (D9, D11), each with a fire ring, concrete picnic table and graveled parking spaces. The site size and parking capacity vary, so be sure to check site dimensions before making a reservation. There are no constructed tent pads, but most sites have areas suitable for one or more tents. Vault toilets are within walking distance of the campsites. The Lower Campground contains 53 campsites, including one group site (G24), each with a fire ring, concrete picnic table, 12’ x 12’ tent pad and graveled parking spaces. Vault toilets are within walking distance of the campsites. The Lower Campground is integrated into an event staging area designed for hosting mountain bike and running events like races and festivals. During events, some campsites may be closed to accommodate event activities. At both the upper and lower units there no water, electricity, or garbage collection service, so come prepared with plenty of water and trash bags.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Take Interstate 70 west to Fruita (exit 19). Turn north onto Cherry Street and take the first right onto Aspen Avenue. Go through the roundabout and continue on Aspen to Maple Street. Take a left on Maple Street and then travel north. The street will turn into 17.5 Road. Take a right on N.3 Road and then a left on 18 Road.
| Nearest town | Fruita, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.3340° N, 108.7040° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Changes may be made to your reservation until 24 hours before the reserved date. A full refund, minus the $8 reservation fee, will be given if canceled 48 hours before the first reserved date. If you would like to change your check-in date, you will need to cancel your entire reservation and rebook. Refunds will not be given for undesirable weather or road conditions.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 12.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Timberleaf Camping Trailers ↗ | 17.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Bass Pro Shops ↗ | 17.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
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Video
North Fruita Desert Campground
Worth a stop
The North Fruita Desert Campground is just north of Fruita CO, which serves as a hub for outdoor recreation on nearby public lands including the red-rock canyons of Colorado National Monument, and the adjoining McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (MCNCA) - home of the Kokopelli trail system, the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River, Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness and the Rabbit Valley recreation area. The Monument and NCAs along with the other public lands surrounding the Grand Valley - formed by the Colorado River flowing between Palisade to Loma - offer something for everyone, from scenic drives to hiking, horseback riding, biking, rafting, rock climbing, wildlife viewing, and off-roading. The Grand Valley is also well-known for it's orchards, vineyards and wineries, and the distinct and vibrant communities of Palisade, Grand Junction, and Fruita.
- 12.4 miHawkeye Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 13 miPollock Bench Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Public land it sits in
McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area begins about 10.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 10.9 miMcInnis Canyons National Conservation Area ↗National Conservation Area · Bureau of Land Management · 124,157 acres
- 13.8 miBlack Ridge Canyons Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Bureau of Land Management · 75,479 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Loma Community HallBuilding · Loma · 11 mi
- Harry and Lilly Phillips HouseBuilding · Fruita · 11.3 mi
- Fruita MuseumBuilding · Fruita · 12.8 mi
Natural features
The North Fruita Desert Campground is nestled among scattered juniper trees at the edge of the Book Cliffs mountain range which stretches for roughly 240 miles across eastern Utah and western Colorado, ending just north of Grand Junction. Steep sculpted slopes and sheer cliffs rise to the north of the campground. The landscape slopes gradually to the south toward the Colorado River, forming the Grand Valley where the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers join at Grand Junction. The campground offers expansive views of the distant San Juan and La Sal mountains, and the red rock canyon country of McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and Colorado National Monument. To the southeast lies Mount Garfield at the end of the Little Book Cliffs, and the western flanks of the 10,000 ft. Grand Mesa - the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. Vegetation here is sparse, with only occasional green-ups and wildflower blooms following wet weather. Average annual precipitation is less than 10 inches. Temperature extremes range from below zero to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures are more moderate during the spring and fall.
Recreation
The North Fruita Desert, also known as the 18 Road trail system, offers 33 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails along the base of the Book Cliffs, along with another 25 miles of mixed use singletrack in the Book Cliffs north of the campground. The trails surrounding the campground provide a mix of fast and flowy to tight and technical riding opportunities Easy access directly from your campsite makes riding from dawn to dusk a mountain biker's dream. The Edge Loop trails climb from the campground into the heart of the Book Cliffs Range, offering challenging long-distance loops and spectacular views of the Grand Valley and beyond. While mountain biking is the focus of this area, the North Fruita Desert Campground is within easy reach of hundreds of miles of routes for motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides and 4x4s in the desert country from the Utah-Colorado state line to Grand Junction.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at North Fruita Desert Campground?
Sites at North Fruita Desert Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at North Fruita Desert Campground?
Campsite rates are $20 per night and include up to 10 people and 2 vehicles. There is an $8 non-refundable reservation fee for each reservation. Please note, you cannot change your check-in date.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at North Fruita Desert Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at North Fruita Desert Campground?
A full refund, minus the $8 reservation fee, will be given if canceled 48 hours before the first reserved date.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does North Fruita Desert Campground have?
144 sites, including 99 standard sites without power, 40 tent-only sites, 3 group sites, and 1 group tent area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at North Fruita Desert Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at North Fruita Desert Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at North Fruita Desert Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at North Fruita Desert Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at North Fruita Desert Campground?
Sites F02, F03, F08, and F09 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 17 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at North Fruita Desert Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at North Fruita Desert Campground?
The North Fruita Desert, also known as the 18 Road trail system, offers 33 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails along the base of the Book Cliffs, along with another 25 miles of mixed use singletrack in the Book Cliffs north of the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to North Fruita Desert Campground?
Fruita, Colorado. The North Fruita Desert Campground is just north of Fruita CO, which serves as a hub for outdoor recreation on nearby public lands including the red-rock canyons of Colorado National Monument, and the adjoining McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (MCNCA) - home of the Kokope
Source: Getting there