Best Tent Camping near Fruita, CO

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Fruita, CO has a lot to offer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Fruita is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Fruita, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Tent Sites Near Fruita, Colorado (16)

    1. Grand Junction KOA

    26 Reviews
    Grand Junction, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 242-2527

    "We stayed at the Grand Junction KOA when driving cross country from CA to NY a few years back."

    "We stayed here in the tent camping spots for two nights. The restrooms were clean and the site had a light over the picnic table which was really nice for setting up in the dark."

    2. Knowles Overlook Campground

    16 Reviews
    Mack, CO
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 244-3000

    "Driving for a few miles along a fairly compact but slightly washed out dirt road will drop you off right at a vista above the CO river. 2WD is probably fine but low clearance vehicles will likely struggle"

    "I was wondering expecting dispersed camping at this site but there are individual with tent pads and vault toilets. The view overlooking the Colorado River was exceptional."

    3. Jouflas Campground

    14 Reviews
    Mack, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 244-3000

    "No water or trash but pit toilets that are very clean. All sites are pretty large and have fire rings and a picnic table but very little shade to be found."

    "⭐️No highway noise."

    4. Rattlesnake and Mee Canyons

    1 Review
    Fruita, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 244-3000

    "My wife and I did the Rattlesnake Arches hike and camped nearby. There were three campsites we found on the way to Rattlesnake Arches."

    5. Kokopelli Trail Campsite

    1 Review
    Mack, UT
    22 miles
    Website

    "limited services in the area. no bathrooms, no tables, just nature. incredible canyon views of gorgeous geography 360º. good mountain biking trails and endless walking trails.."

    6. Steamboat Rock Campground

    4 Reviews
    Mesa Lakes, CO
    30 miles
    Website

    "This campground is off road. Has no bathrooms nor water source. But offers hiking, rockclimbing and just peace and quiet."

    "Beautiful drive to get there. If you take the Yampa Bench Road to get there, you will need 4WD. Expect a solid three hour drive with beautiful views."

    7. Big Dominguez Campground

    4 Reviews
    Whitewater, CO
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 244-3000

    "Pretty spot with stream water right behind the sites. You have to drive over a stream when you come in but it was easily crossed when we visited."

    "As in the description, very quiet, and accessibility can be tricky when weather comes into play."

    8. Cisco Takeout

    1 Review
    Cisco, UT
    30 miles
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    9. BLM Lower Onion Creek Camping Area

    5 Reviews
    Castle Valley, UT
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 259-2100

    "After searching for campsites around Moab, I drove out  128 and stumbled onto this gem. Just a clear spot on the side of the road adjacent to the Colorado river."

    "Great setting nestled next to the Colorado river and lower onion creek. Great views in every direction."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Fruita, CO

3 Photos of 16 Fruita Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Fruita, CO

576 Reviews of 16 Fruita Campgrounds


  • Mary S.
    Jun. 12, 2018

    Saddlehorn Campground — Colorado National Monument

    Great base for exploring the Colorado Nat'l Monument

    This campground is near the visitor center just off the rim road, about a 25 mile road from one entrance to the other. There are several hiking trails for exploring the Colorado National Monument; you could keep busy for a couple days or more, depending on how much you enjoy hiking. There is also rock climbing.

    The campground has 3 loops:

    • A: no reservations, open year round

    • B: reservations and walkup. If you have a reservation, your site will have a "Reserved" sign along with dates and your last name. No check in is required. Open sites have an "Open" sign.

    • C: doesn't show up on recreation.gov so it looks like it is also walkup. I think groups can reserve it. There are tent pads which I didn't see in A and B (but you can pitch a tent in A and B). Only tents and truck campers are allowed, and no generators are allowed in loop C.

    Bathrooms seem fairly new with auto flush toilets, motion sensor faucets and hand dryers. There is potable water at various locations clearly marked with a "water" sign. No electric, water or sewer at sites.

    There are a few "driveway" styles in loops A and B: back in/pull in, pull alongside and pull through. Picnic tables and grills are back among juniper and pine trees, and you can pitch a tent. I would stay in loop C if I had a tent...very nice sites.

    And the views are beautiful, especially at sunset.

  • L
    Jul. 27, 2021

    North Fruita Desert Upper Campground

    Desert escape

    We went on a Monday in July and only saw a handful of people in the campground. The BLM “improved” the campground and now charges $20 a night. No water. Leave no trace and stay off the fragile soil.

  • Sam V.
    May. 2, 2024

    Upper Access Road #1

    Great views with very primitive high desert camping

    Great location with amazing views of the distant book cliffs across the Fruita/Grand Junction valley. Not a lot of tree cover, make sure to bring a portable toilet/"luggable loo" type thing, and plenty of water. Drove in with a teardrop trailer and enjoyed our time in the area.

  • Alexia L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Nine Mile Hill

    Great Views, Secluded

    Found this spot and was very happy with the setup. Like other reviews, the highway noise was a bit loud but nothing too crazy, especially really late. There were other campers spread out nicely, you wouldn’t even know they were there. The road is a bit iffy so snagging a spot at the front would be best if you don’t have 4WD (my Nissan car struggled, we had to back up & turn around). Overall great spot for tent camping! Remember to leave no trace 🫶🏼🏕️🌎

  • Greg L.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 2, 2022

    High North BLM Campground

    Changed to a fee reservation system

    This is one of several campgrounds noted in the larger Rabbit Valley Area. This CG is on the north side of the I70 interchange and seems to be more for the nonmotorized folks. However, the gravel road up to the top of the ridge was very steep and a couple sections gave me pause hauling my 18 ft TT. Total of 15 sites. In 2023 a new fee and reservation system started ($20/$10), no FCFS...7 day camping limit, with picnic tables and fire rings. One vault toilet. NO trash dumpsters noted, NO WATER, no RV DUMP. CG roads on top are all improved gravel and cabling keeps vehicles restricted. Cell signal is great, 5 bars LTE all carriers due to proximity to the freeway. Negative is truck noise constant in background from I70, so only three star rating, because of reservation system and no FCFS sites, a one nite stay will cost ya $8 reservation fee!

  • Morgan Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 6, 2020

    Rabbit Valley — Mc Innis Canyons National Conservation Area

    Dispersed in Rabbit Valley

    This is a good, strong 4WD space only. There are some campsites closer to the highway, but if you are intrepid you can travel a little further down and really nestle into some rocks in a small canyon. This is all about having access to some of the best MTB trails in Colorado and Utah. 

    Leave no trace.

  • Amanda M.
    Aug. 3, 2018

    Grand Junction KOA

    Nice KOA - beats paying for a hotel!

    We stayed at the Grand Junction KOA when driving cross country from CA to NY a few years back. We drove to Grand Junction CO after a long day of hiking and tubing in Zion National Park - we arrived very late, and without a reservation. Even though it was after hours, we were able to choose a tent site then pay for the night at an iron ranger at the front office.

    Our site had a patch of green grass to set our tent up on, as well as a picnic table and fire pit (that we never utilized, we just set up our tent and fell into our sleeping bags). The sites had little log fences separating the spaces.

    The GJ KOA had very nice, clean facilities - having a hot shower in a clean locker room was a great way to start the morning. Wifi was available, which is always a plus.

    The campground (kampground, haha) is pretty far outside of Grand Junction, and is in an industrial area, so we were initially a little sketched out and hesitant about stopping, since we were two women in their early 20s traveling alone. But once we got inside the campground and saw the layout of the grounds, we felt very safe and secure.

    We were glad we decided to stop at the Grand Junction KOA, as it was a nice, clean, and safe place to stop for the night. KOAs are not my go-to type of campground for camping, but they are an easy, safe, and cheap spot to stop for the night if you don’t want to spend money on a hotel.

    CAMPSITE SPECS

    Fees: $26/night

    Plumbed Toilets: Yes

    Drinking Water: Yes

    Showers: Yes (no coins needed)

    Picnic Table: Yes

    Firepit: Yes

    Cooking Grates: ?

    Shade: Yes

    Cell Service: Yes + Wifi

    Animal Bins/Food Lockers: NO

    Trash: Yes

  • Becky T.
    Aug. 10, 2019

    Fruita Section Camping — James M. Robb Colorado River State Park

    Secluded

    Stopped here for a night on my way through to St.Louis. Great spots with fire ring and lots of open space between places. The road is a bit rough when you get in pass the 3rd site. RV and Tent friendly. No water or electric but excellent phone service.

  • Riley S.
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Cobbett Lake

    Heaven sent

    I arrived at this campground on top the Mesa. First I always thought the Mesa would be flat and by god it’s more than flat, it’s beautiful. The mosquitos were like mini vampires. Beside that, the Forrest and lakes were wonderful. The fishing was great. Lots of folks catching there limits.

    The campsites are hit or miss if you are tent camping. Some of them are on slopes and are only good for an RV however we did sent you tents in the pull through sites. We reserved sites 1, 9, 10, 11.

    Site 1 is fabulous, on the lake and great for tents or a pop up.

    Site 9 is a pull through site. Has one flat spot for a tent but besides that it is next to the hiking trail and the wildlife is all around. Morning deer to chipmunks :)

    Site 10 is very large for a group site per say.

    Site 11 was nice and held 3 tents.

    Each site has modern camp fire rings. The campground offers large wood bundles for $10.


Guide to Fruita

Fruita, Colorado, offers a fantastic backdrop for tent camping enthusiasts, with a variety of well-reviewed campgrounds that cater to different preferences and needs.

Tips for tent camping near Fruita

  • The Knowles Overlook Campground provides stunning views of the canyon and the Colorado River, making it a great spot for those who appreciate scenic landscapes.
  • At Jouflas Campground, campers can enjoy a chill atmosphere with basic amenities like fire pits and picnic tables, perfect for a laid-back experience.
  • For those seeking solitude, Big Dominguez Campground offers a peaceful environment, though accessibility can be tricky, especially in wet conditions.

Local attractions for outdoor enthusiasts

  • The Rattlesnake and Mee Canyons area is perfect for hiking and exploring, with primitive sites that provide breathtaking views of the high desert landscape.
  • If you're looking for a unique experience, the Cisco Takeout serves as a takeout point for river rafting, making it an ideal spot for those who enjoy water sports.
  • The Echo Park Campground is known for its beautiful drives and hiking opportunities, offering a chance to immerse yourself in nature.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Families will love the amenities at Grand Junction KOA, which features a jump pad, pool, and mini-golf, ensuring fun for all ages.
  • For adventure seekers, the trails around Jouflas Campground are popular with ATVs and mountain bikers, providing plenty of opportunities for exploration.
  • The scenic drives and hiking trails near Knowles Overlook Campground make it a great base for outdoor activities, with stunning views to enjoy along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Fruita, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Fruita, CO is Grand Junction KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Fruita, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Fruita, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.