U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

BLM

North Fruita

Desert

Special Recreation 

Management Area

Grand Junction Field Office • COLORADO

The North Fruita Desert Special Recreation 

Management Area (SRMA) includes 72,000 acres 

and 250 miles of designated recreation routes. Much 

of the area is desert valley floor with washes and 

sharp ridges. At the north end of the area is the Book 

Cliffs, one of the longest, continuous geological 

feature in the world located in western Colorado 

and east-central Utah. With close proximity to Fruita 

and Grand Junction, the SRMA has become valuable 

for dispersed recreation. The SRMA includes an 

open Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) area, motorized, 

mechanized and quiet use recreation opportunities 

as well as a campground. Visitation is the highest 

during the spring and fall months.

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 until you reach 

the North Fruita Desert trails.

Rules and Regulations While on 

public lands in the North Fruita Desert SRMA, the 

following rules apply:

• No discharge of dangerous weapons will be 

allowed in the restricted camping area, except for 

lawful use during Colorado Division of Wildlife 

hunting seasons.

• All fires must be contained in a fire pan and all 

ash and burned material removed and disposed 

outside of public lands.

• Provided and/or portable toilets must be used and 

contents disposed of according to Mesa County 

requirements.

• It is prohibited to collect downed wood for 

campfires or other purposes. 

• In the mechanized (bicycle) emphasis area, 

visitors must camp in designated campsites. 

Dispersed camping will continue to be allowed in 

the remaining portions of the North Fruita Desert 

SRMA.

• All motorized and mechanized travel is limited to 

designated roads and trails.

• The Lippan Wash Trail and Coal Gulch Trail will 

be closed annually to mechanized and motorized 

travel from December 1 until April 1. The 

opening date may be moved to an earlier or later 

date if conditions warrant.

• No person shall use or possess firewood 

containing nails, screws, or other metal hardware 

to include, but not limited to, wood pallets and 

construction debris. 

Camping In the restricted camping area, 

visitors must camp in designated campsites 

contained within the North Fruita Desert 

Campground. Dispersed camping is allowed 

in the remaining portions of the North Fruita 

Desert SRMA. All fires must be contained 

in a fire pan or designated fire pit. Fire wood 

collection is prohibited, please bring your 

own.

Eighteen Road Campground, which is 

managed by the BLM, is located north of Fruita 

and occupies about 40 acres in the heart of the 

mountain bike trail system. The facilities include 

individual campsites, as well as two group sites 

with fire rings and picnic tables. Each site has 

parking for two to four vehicles. Four vault toilets 

are located within walking distance of each cluster 

of campsites. No water or garbage services are 

available. Currently there are no fees for camping; 

however, fees may apply in the future.

Highline Lake State Park, which is managed 

by Colorado State Parks, is located immediately 

to the southwest of the restricted camping area, 

and provides opportunities for boating, fishing, 

swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking, and 

mountain biking on marked trails.

For More Information

Grand Junction Field Office

2815 H Road

Grand Junction, CO 81506

(970) 240-3000

Partners and Cooperators: 

Highline Lake State Park

1800 11.8 Road

Loma, CO 81524

(970) 858-7208

Town of Fruita 

www.fruita.org

(970) 858-0360

Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike 

Trail Association

www.copmoba.org 

(970) 244-8877

Colorado State Parks

www.parks.state.co.us 

Visitor and Convention Bureau 

www.visitgrandjunction.com

Grand Junction Visitor Center

740 Horizon Drive

Grand Junction, CO 81506 

(970) 256-4060

BLM/CO/GI-10/006