Colorado / Mesa County

North Fruita Desert Campground

Open — Open year-round with reservations available through Recreation.gov. Some sites now designated as tent-only with vehicle number and length limitations. Camping limited to 14 consecutive days.

About

North Fruita Desert Campground is a mountain biker's paradise situated at the heart of the famous 18 Road trail system along the base of the Book Cliffs. The campground features 111 total campsites split into two distinct units. The Upper Campground contains 58 sites including two group sites, while the Lower Campground has 53 sites including one group site and is integrated into an event staging area for mountain bike races and festivals. All sites include a fire ring and concrete picnic table, with the lower campground sites featuring 12x12 tent pads. Site sizes vary, so checking dimensions before booking is recommended, especially as some sites now have tent-only and vehicle restrictions. The campground provides unparalleled access to 33 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails offering everything from fast and flowy to tight and technical riding. The Edge Loop trails climb into the Book Cliffs Range with challenging long-distance loops and spectacular views of the Grand Valley, distant San Juan and La Sal mountains, Colorado National Monument, and the red rock canyons of McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. The area also serves as a gateway to hundreds of miles of routes for motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and 4x4s stretching from the Utah-Colorado state line to Grand Junction. Nestled among scattered juniper trees in sparse desert terrain, the campground sits at the edge of the 240-mile-long Book Cliffs range. The landscape offers expansive views with temperature extremes ranging from below zero to 105°F, though spring and fall bring more moderate conditions. Campers must bring all their own water, firewood, and pack out all trash as no services are provided. The nearby city of Fruita offers food, lodging, and other amenities.

Directions

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. 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.

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