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Ruby Horsethief Canyon Permits

Wilderness Permit

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Overview

Overnight campsite permit for the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River, managed by BLM (Grand Junction Field Office, McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area). 25-mile stretch of mostly flat water (Class I-II) from Loma, CO to Westwater, UT through red rock canyons featuring 1.7-billion-year-old Vishnu schist at Black Rocks. 34 designated campsites -- each site holds exactly 1 group per night. Motorized and non-motorized craft allowed. Day use does not require a permit. Wildlife includes bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and desert bighorn sheep.

Bottom Line

All FCFS, no lottery. Permits release on a 60-day rolling window at 8:00 AM MDT daily on recreation.gov. Each person is limited to 1 active reservation at a time (but multiple permits per year allowed). Multi-night trips can be booked within the open window. Popular campsites on weekends and holidays will sell out quickly at the 60-day mark -- be ready at 8 AM MDT when your target date opens. Cancellation alerts are very effective since cancelled sites return to availability and the rolling window means new dates open every morning. Midweek launches and shoulder season (Nov--Mar, when camping fees are waived) are significantly easier. Black Rocks sites are limited to one night only on Fridays and Saturdays -- no layovers.

Reservations

Year-round permit required for overnight camping. All FCFS:

  • 60-day rolling window: new dates open daily at 8:00 AM MDT on recreation.gov
  • Multi-night trips bookable within the open window
  • 1 active reservation per person at a time
  • Multiple permits per year allowed
  • Permits printable 7 days before launch date
  • Changes allowed until the permit is printed -- do not print until finalized
  • Launch dates cannot be changed on an existing permit -- must cancel and rebook

Fees

  • $6 non-refundable reservation fee per permit
  • Apr -- Oct recreation fees (per night, based on group size):
    • 1--5 people: $20/night
    • 6--14 people: $50/night
    • 15--25 people: $100/night
  • Nov -- Mar: no recreation fee (only the $6 reservation fee applies)
  • Children 16 and under: free
  • Dogs count as group members and are charged at the adult rate
  • Max 2 dogs per group

Group Size and Rules

  • Max group size: 25 (adults + children + dogs all count toward the total)
  • Some campsites capped at 14 or 5 people -- check individual site details
  • You must camp at your assigned site only
  • Do not book a later-night camp that is upstream of an earlier-night camp -- if you cannot reach an upstream site, you must float all the way to Westwater, UT
  • Campsite miles are listed in the site name and details -- plan downstream progression carefully
  • Upstream motorized travel is prohibited downriver of the CO/UT state line
  • Stay at least half a mile from eagle nests -- harassment prohibited
  • Remote area with spotty to no cell service and no take-outs until Westwater

Cancellation Policy

  • 8+ days before launch: recreation fees refunded
  • 7 days or less: no refund
  • $6 reservation fee: never refunded
  • No refunds for weather or undesirable water levels

Availability