Grand Junction Desert Road Recreation Area BLM, near Grand Junction, Colorado, is a unique location for those seeking a free and easy camping experience. This area is perfect for dirt bike enthusiasts, with plenty of trails and open space to explore, making it a popular choice for off-road activities.

Visitors have noted that finding a spot to set up camp is usually a breeze, even if you arrive late at night. The landscape is wide open, offering stunning views of the stars, but be prepared for a lack of privacy and amenities—there are no restrooms or water hookups here. As one camper mentioned, “The view is nice, but it’s without trees or any type of cover,” which can make things a bit awkward for tent campers.

While the area can get busy, especially during the summer months, many appreciate the vibrant atmosphere. Just keep in mind that it’s a public recreation area, so you might encounter some rowdy crowds. If you’re looking for a quick overnight stop or a base for your outdoor adventures, this location has its charm. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, as trash can sometimes be an issue.

Discover diverse terrain, secluded wilderness, and plenty of fun while camping on BLM land around Grand Junction, CO.

Grand Junction Desert Road Recreation Area BLM

Grand Junction is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Grand Junction. Find the best campgrounds near Grand Junction, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Grand Junction

The Best Camping Near Grand Junction, Colorado

This is also an OHV area, so be prepared for that, if you’re annoyed by razors and dirt bikes. One or a few occasionally will ride by where you are. Doesn’t bother me. There are a pistol range and also a rifle range on the property. People obviously fire plenty of guns here. If that scares you, just be aware. You will hear gunfire here. That being said.. sand dunes to rival the sand dunes park, and you can dirt bike them. Plenty of names mountains within view

Chance for some free, beautiful camping 

After searching for a campsite for a while, we finally stumbled across this place around 10pm on a Saturday night at the end of April 2021. Whenever we arrived we quickly found a spot and set up camp. Surprisingly, to be so close to town, the stars really come out here. Of note, this is an off-roading park, so you may here an occasional dirt bike or four wheeler go by. There are no facilities provided as this is BLM land. Would recommend for a free and easy place to stay the night!

Dispersed BLM camping 

We pulled up here with about an hour till sunset, which was really pretty. We saw lots of dirt bikers heading back to there trailers. It looks like an awesome place for that sort of thing. Also potential gun range in the area according to the signage. After sunset the wind picked up and kicked up a horrible dust storm. It was loud and windy all night and sand filled everything in the morning. Not sure if this is normal out there so check the weather. 

Good enough, but High Winds

We needed a spot to stay off of 70 and this was one of the only places nearby that was free for the night and close to the highway. 

It was very hot with zero shade but one of our main goals with our trailer is solitude and ease of parking which this had. I could tell it was a popular spot for people dirt biking which I didn’t find bothersome at all but some could. 

Every spot was easy to pull into and with ample space but the site we rolled into was quite bumpy and FULL of glass which wasn’t great for our dog. 

All things considered, was pleased with the convenience of this spot and the solitude but nothing insanely beautiful to write home about. 

We brought our 22 foot trailer and the roads were slightly bumpy but super easy to accommodate to our trailer. 

Had full cell service on t-mobile

Decent stopover spot but wouldn’t stay for a long time 

The view is nice, but as someone else mentioned, it is without trees or any type of cover (makes  going potty way awkward when tent camping). It's an ATV park, so lots of activity; however, it's close to hwy70. If you're looking for a quick overnight stop, it'll work for you.

Absolutely no privacy,  but a place to sleep

I wish I had some kind of bike or OHV vehicle because this looks like such a sweet spot for free riding; there are hills and jumps everywhere. Lots of motor vehicle activity because of this.

I was just there to camp in my van and it worked out great. Spots are not in surplus necessarily but if you're not there in a peak season like spring I'm sure you'll find a place to pull over. Glass bottles were shattered everywhere around the spot I chose and I was grateful not to pop a tire. But I felt secluded enough despite the lack of privacy and think it's worth returning to for sure.

Great Free Spot outside of GJ

I’ll start by saying I love this area. The land goes WAY far back and there are roads and campsites EVERYWHERE. I’ve been camping out here for 10 years now when I drive through the city and need a place to crash. 
The downside of this area is that it can get really crowded in the summer, and as a public rec area, it’s loaded with people being pretty reckless. Firearms, fires, alcohol and drugs are all pretty loosely used out here. Not to mention the large amount of shattered glass at almost every spot. 
Come out and enjoy, just be smart and be safe. Maybe if the BLM cleaned it up a bit it would get more than 3 stars. 

Excellent spot outside of GJ

I stayed here for a night traveling from vail to Utah. Easy access for low clearance vehicles like my Subaru. Busy but I found a spot no problem tossed some firewood down and had a great night. 

Conveniant 

Got in around 11pm and had no trouble finding a spot. A lot of area to explore 

Abundance of sites 

Lots of cops and sheriff making a racket outside at 2am. They stopped outside my truck and flashed their spotlights inside to see my disgruntled face. They waited in their cop cars for about another five minutes before leaving. It's like they were shocked to see someone camping in a truck cap.  Area is also littered with broken bottles and trash. 


No Sleep

Good spot of you have a dirt bike, it looks like there's a lot to ride around here. Lots of parking for trailers. If you're just passing through and looking for a spot to sleep, it's great too, and you don't need to go all the way to the pin to find a spot 

Photos of Grand Junction Desert Road Recreation Area BLM

Real photos from real campers