North Fruita Desert Campground
- Right now
- Taking bookingsSites offered on 30 of the next 30 nights read 16:54 UTC
- A night
- $20–$40Across the site types the agency prices
- Sites
- 144All of them booked ahead
The place
the agency’s own description · what’s there · 2 notices
In the agency’s own words
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. Your camping fees pay not only for campground maintenance and improvements, but also for trail construction and maintenance on the 18 Road trail system. Keep reading
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.
Facilities
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. Additionally, campers will need to bring their own firewood, no firewood collection is allowed. Camping is limited to 14 days. Each individual site is limited to ten people and two vehicles. We try to have a volunteer campground host on site during the spring and fall seasons. The host site is located at the north end of the upper campground.
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. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (970) 244-3000.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Charges & 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. Please note, you cannot change your check-in 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.
What the agency tells you
The following campsites are available for reservation up to six months in advance of your stay: Sites A1 through A14 Sites B1 through B12 Sites G1 through G23 Sites H1 through H5 Group sites D9, D11 and G24 Sites J5 through J7 Sites K8 through K15 The following campsites are available for reservation up to four days in advance of your stay: Sites C1-C21 Sites D1-D11 Sites E1-E12 Sites F1-F12 Sites J1 through J4 Sites K1 through K7
- Campsites are limited to 10 people and two vehicles - Group sites are limited to 20 people and four vehicles - Vehicles must be parked in designated areas, parking off road is not allowed. The Event area in the Lower Campground may be used for overflow parking. - Stays are limited to 14 days - No firewood gathering is allowed - No water or electricity is available, there are eight pit toilets within the campground - All trash, including dog waste, must be packed out - Quiet hours are from 10pm to 6am. Please respect other campers - Reservations are required for all camping within the campground - 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. Please note, you cannot change your check-in date. If you would like to change your check-in date, you will need to cancel your entire reservation and rebook. - Check out time is 12:00, noon - No refunds are given due to weather
Tents and rigs
- Sites
- 144 · 41 tent-only, 5 group
- Hookups
- None
- Longest rig
- 99 ft
- Accessible sites
- 17
- Pets
- Allowed
- Campfires
- Allowed, barring fire bans
- Shade
- Little
Facilities
- Toilets
- Vault Toilets
- “…areas suitable for one or more tents. Vault toilets are within walking distance of the campsites. The…”
- Firewood
- Mentioned
Around the campground
- On the water
- River
- Night sky · 377th darkest of 522 in CO
- Bortle 3
9 of 280 site-nights open this Friday and Saturdayread 16:54 UTC
Every site here is reservable, and the record lists none held back for anyone who drives up.
OpenBooked
Watch for a cancellation
Full? Watch it.
One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
Tell me when the season opens
Watch for the season to open
One email when the season goes on sale, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We check once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time the agency has that season on sale.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.
Every line of the receipt · 18
What you actually pay
Derived by CAMPANAC: the agency’s published rates for this season, $20–$40 a night, plus one $8 recreation.gov reservation fee for the booking. A weekend here means Friday and Saturday night, booked once. Optional charges (an extra vehicle, a second tent, a dump-station fee) are listed separately and aren’t in this total.
“A full refund, minus the $8 reservation fee, will be given if canceled 48 hours before the first reserved date.” · this campground’s own terms
Who keeps the booking fee
The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →
How we know this receipt · 6
recreation.gov availability, read 16:54 UTC · rules read Sep 9, 2026 · rates Oct 1, 2026 · How we know all this
The sites
144 sites
All 144 sites
The price is derived by CAMPANAC, not published per site: the per-night rate this campground publishes for each site’s own site type. 102 of the 144 sites listed carry one, and a site whose type has no published rate sits out of the price rather than being called free.
| A | A01 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | $20–$40 | |
| A | A02 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | ||
| A | A03 | tent only nonelectric | 25 ft | ||
| A | A04 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | ||
| A | A05 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | ||
| A | A06 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | ||
| A | A07 | tent only nonelectric | 25 ft | ||
| A | A08 | standard nonelectric | 60 ft | $20–$40 | |
| A | A09 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| A | A10 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| A | A11 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| A | A12 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| A | A13 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| A | A14 | tent only nonelectric | 45 ft | ||
| B | B01 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| B | B02 | tent only nonelectric | 25 ft | ||
| B | B03 | tent only nonelectric | 35 ft | ||
| B | B04 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | $20–$40 | |
| B | B05 | standard nonelectric | 45 ft | $20–$40 | |
| B | B06 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| B | B07 | standard nonelectric | 55 ft | $20–$40 | |
| B | B08 | tent only nonelectric | 25 ft | ||
| B | B09 | standard nonelectric | 45 ft | $20–$40 | |
| B | B10 | tent only nonelectric | 60 ft | ||
| B | B11 | tent only nonelectric | 80 ft | ||
| B | B12 | standard nonelectric | 80 ft | $20–$40 | |
| C | C01 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C02 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C03 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C04 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C05 | tent only nonelectric | 40 ft | ||
| C | C06 | tent only nonelectric | 32 ft | ||
| C | C07 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C08 | tent only nonelectric | 40 ft | ||
| C | C09 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C10 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | ||
| C | C11 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C12 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C13 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C14 | tent only nonelectric | 20 ft | ||
| C | C15 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C16 | tent only nonelectric | 40 ft | ||
| C | C17 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C18 | tent only nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| C | C19 | tent only nonelectric | 40 ft | ||
| C | C20 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | $20–$40 | |
| C | C21 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | $20–$40 | |
| D | D01 | standard nonelectric | 45 ft | $20–$40 | |
| D | D02 | standard nonelectric | 45 ft | $20–$40 | |
| D | D03 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| D | D04 | tent only nonelectric | 40 ft | ||
| D | D05 | standard nonelectric | 35 ft | $20–$40 | |
| D | D06 | standard nonelectric | 30 ft | $20–$40 | |
| D | D07 | tent only nonelectric | 50 ft | ||
| D | D08 | tent only nonelectric | 50 ft | ||
| D | D09 | group tent only area nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| D | D10 | standard nonelectric | 70 ft | $20–$40 | |
| D | D11 | group standard area nonelectric | 30 ft | ||
| E | E01 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E02 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E03 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E04 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E05 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E06 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E07 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E08 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E09 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E10 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E11 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| E | E12 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | $20–$40 | |
| F | F01 | standard nonelectric | 80 ft | $20–$40 | |
| F | F02 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| F | F03 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| F | F04 | tent only nonelectric | 40 ft | ||
| F | F05 | tent only nonelectric | 40 ft | ||
| F | F06 | tent only nonelectric | 40 ft | ||
| F | F07 | standard nonelectric | 55 ft | $20–$40 | |
| F | F08 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| F | F09 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| F | F10 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| F | F11 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| F | F12 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| G | G01 | standard nonelectric | 65 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G02 | standard nonelectric | 22 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G03 | standard nonelectric | 45 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G04 | standard nonelectric | 27 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G05 | standard nonelectric | 75 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G06 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G07 | standard nonelectric | 99 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G08 | standard nonelectric | 47 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G09 | standard nonelectric | 52 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G10 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G11 | standard nonelectric | 55 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G12 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G13 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G14 | standard nonelectric | 46 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G15 | standard nonelectric | 99 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G16 | standard nonelectric | 54 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G17 | standard nonelectric | 51 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G18 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G19 | standard nonelectric | 53 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G20 | standard nonelectric | 54 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G21 | standard nonelectric | 48 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G22 | standard nonelectric | 99 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G23 | standard nonelectric | 56 ft | $20–$40 | |
| G | G24 | group standard nonelectric | 87 ft | $40 | |
| H | H01 | standard nonelectric | 28 ft | $20–$40 | |
| H | H02 | standard nonelectric | 33 ft | $20–$40 | |
| H | H03 | standard nonelectric | 31 ft | $20–$40 | |
| H | H04 | standard nonelectric | 23 ft | $20–$40 | |
| H | H05 | standard nonelectric | 23 ft | $20–$40 | |
| J | J 1 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| J | J 2 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| J | J 3 | group standard nonelectric | 25 ft | $40 | |
| J | J 4 | group standard nonelectric | 25 ft | $40 | |
| J | J 5 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | $20–$40 | |
| J | J 6 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | $20–$40 | |
| J | J 7 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | $20–$40 | |
| J | J 8 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 1 | standard nonelectric | 25 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 10 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 11 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 12 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 13 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 14 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 15 | standard nonelectric | 60 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 2 | standard nonelectric | 55 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 3 | standard nonelectric | 55 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 4 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 5 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 6 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 7 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 8 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| K | K 9 | standard nonelectric | 50 ft | $20–$40 | |
| M | M 1 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| M | M 10 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| M | M 2 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| M | M 3 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| M | M 4 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| M | M 5 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| M | M 6 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| M | M 7 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| M | M 8 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
| M | M 9 | standard nonelectric | 40 ft | yes | $20–$40 |
25 of 144 listed
Getting there
the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Where it is
Saddlehorn CampgroundColorado National Monument · 16 miFluffle Group Use Camping AreaMcinnis Canyons National Conservation Area · 19 mi
Rabbit ValleyMcinnis Canyons National Conservation Area · 20 miHigh North CampgroundMcinnis Canyons National Conservation Area · 20 miJouflas CampgroundMcinnis Canyons National Conservation Area · 20 miTake 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. Travel approximately 7 miles on 18 Road to the trailhead, event area and lower campground. Continue 1.5 miles north to reach the upper campground loops.
The weather
the next four days · the thirty-year normal
Next four days, and the thirty-year normal
Forecast
NWS forecast for Loma, CO
Typical weather
Typical October night 36°F, day 69°F.
Coldest month of the year: typical January night 15°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.
Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more
A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.
The land, and who answers for it
what threatens it · who answers for it
What threatens this place
You’re camping on ground somebody wants. We track the threats and the comment deadlines.
Who answers for this land
North Fruita Desert Campground is in Colorado’s 3rd congressional district. Its representative, Jeff Hurd (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →