## Overview

 The North Fruita Desert campground is a mountain biker\_\_\_s paradise with campsites situated at the heart of the famous \"18 Road\" trail system and within easy reach of the world-renowned Kokopelli Trail system. Come to the North Fruita Desert for an active outing of riding and relaxing with family and friends. Ride to the trails in just a few minutes from any of the campsites.\_\_\_\_ The trail system and associated camping amenities provide great opportunities to experience the diverse desert terrain along the base of the Book Cliffs. Food, lodging and other amenities are available nearby in the City of Fruita.\_\_ Your camping fees pay not only for campground maintenance and improvements, but also for trail construction and maintenance on the 18 Road trail system. 
## Recreation

 The North Fruita Desert, also known as the 18 Road trail system, offers 33 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails along the base of the Book Cliffs, along with another 25 miles of mixed use singletrack in the Book Cliffs north of the campground. The trails surrounding the campground provide a mix of fast and flowy to tight and technical riding opportunities Easy access directly from your campsite makes riding from dawn to dusk a mountain biker\'s dream. The Edge Loop trails climb from the campground into the heart of the Book Cliffs Range, offering challenging long-distance loops and spectacular views of the Grand Valley and beyond.\_\_ While mountain biking is the focus of this area, the North Fruita Desert Campground is within easy reach of hundreds of miles of routes for motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides and 4x4s in the desert country from the Utah-Colorado state line to Grand Junction. 
## Facilities

 The campground is split into two distinct units \_\_\_ the Upper Campground and the Lower Campground.\_\_ The Upper Campground contains 58 campsites, including two group sites (D9, D11), each with a fire ring, concrete picnic table and graveled parking spaces. The site size and parking capacity vary, so be sure to check site dimensions before making a reservation. There are no constructed tent pads, but most sites have areas suitable for one or more tents. Vault toilets are within walking distance of the campsites.\_\_ The Lower Campground contains 53 campsites, including one group site (G24), each with a fire ring, concrete picnic table, 12\_\_\_ x 12\_\_\_ tent pad and graveled parking spaces. Vault toilets are within walking distance of the campsites. The Lower Campground is integrated into an event staging area designed for hosting mountain bike and running events like races and festivals. During events, some campsites may be closed to accommodate event activities. At both the upper and lower units there no water, electricity, or garbage collection service, so come prepared with plenty of water and trash bags. Additionally, campers will need to bring their own firewood, no firewood collection is allowed. Camping is limited to 14 days. Each individual site is limited to ten people and two vehicles.\_\_ We try to have a volunteer campground host on site during the spring and fall seasons. The host site is located at the north end of the upper campground. 
## Natural Features

 The North Fruita Desert Campground is nestled among scattered juniper trees at the edge of the Book Cliffs mountain range which stretches for roughly 240 miles across eastern Utah and western Colorado, ending just north of Grand Junction. Steep sculpted slopes and sheer cliffs rise to the north of the campground. The landscape slopes gradually to the south toward the Colorado River, forming the Grand Valley where the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers join at Grand Junction. The campground offers expansive views of the distant San Juan and La Sal mountains, and the red rock canyon country of McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area and Colorado National Monument. To the southeast lies Mount Garfield at the end of the Little Book Cliffs, and the western flanks of the 10,000 ft. Grand Mesa - the largest flat-topped mountain in the world.\_\_ Vegetation here is sparse, with only occasional green-ups and wildflower blooms following wet weather. Average annual precipitation is less than 10 inches. Temperature extremes range from below zero to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures are more moderate during the spring and fall.\_\_ 
## Nearby Attractions

 The North Fruita Desert Campground is just north of Fruita CO, which serves as a hub for outdoor recreation on nearby public lands including the red-rock canyons of Colorado National Monument, and the adjoining McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (MCNCA) - home of the Kokopelli trail system, the Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River, Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness and the Rabbit Valley recreation area.\_\_ The Monument and NCAs along with the other public lands surrounding the Grand Valley - formed by the Colorado River flowing between Palisade to Loma - offer something for everyone, from scenic drives to hiking, horseback riding, biking, rafting, rock climbing, wildlife viewing, and off-roading. The Grand Valley is also well-known for it\'s orchards, vineyards and wineries, and the distinct and vibrant communities of Palisade, Grand Junction, and Fruita.\_\_\_\_ 
## contact\_info

 For facility specific information, please call (970) 244-3000.
## Charges &amp; Cancellations

 Changes may be made to your reservation until 24 hours before the reserved date. A full refund, minus the $8 reservation fee, will be given if canceled 48 hours before the first reserved date.\_\_Please note, you cannot change your check-in date. If you would like to change your check-in date, you will need to cancel your entire reservation and rebook. \_\_\_\_\_\_

North Fruita Desert Upper Campground

Fruita is a great little town located 7 miles east of Utah. The Colorado National Monument, which you can also camp at, is located directly on the opposite side of I-70. The north desert has a lot of trails for 4x4's, mountain biking, and hiking. Before you get to the camping area on the north side of town you will drive through some town streets and eventually out into a more desolate area aka the north desert. 

Once you have reached the camping area, you will have two options: paid or free. The paid spots are around $10/night. They have picnic tables, fire rings and protective sage bushes to help with the wind. The free camping is down a small hill into a valley type area where a lot more people are usually located. In the valley it is a bit more windy and there isn't any sage for protection. There are usually rv's and campers in this area also. Lastly, there are public bathrooms in a parking lot near both camping areas. 

Paid and free camping available

Great spot if you’re biking. Don’t think I’d stay there just to camp. 

Good for Biking

Spacious sites, clean. Peaceful desert locale. Especially great for mountain bikers I’m sure, since you have easy access to tons of trails, but we even had fun just with our camper van.

Awesome!

Hey, if you are not mountain biking, you probably won't go this far into the desert. That said, free boondocking at the foot of some of the best mountain biking in Colorado isn't bad. I've stayed here multiple times and usually find a quiet space off the many dirt roads. Stargaze at night, ride straight from your campsite during the day. 

  

Pro tip: The Hot Tomato Pizza back in town is a great oasis. 

  

Leave no trace.

Mountain Bikers Paradise

BLM charges $20 to camp here now in a camp spot! Free down the road! 
Best single track Mtn biking and beautiful views! 

Best mountain bike trails access

Almost 60 sites scattered down a juniper ridge in 4 clusters (A-D) Most are best for van or tent campers but a few are large enough for TT and RVs.  Best sites for larger RVs/TTs are down main cg road at lower end. Vault toilets, but no trash bins or water so come prepared.  Cell signal however is great on all carriers. Surprise that my trailer 12v TV got a bunch of over the air channels. Road in from BLM boundary on 18 road is a crappy gravel washboard. Sites are $20 nite, $10 with senior pass. Note: As of 2022, all sites are reservations only...no FF. 

Great for mtb crowd

This campground is primarily used by mountain bikers. $10 a night. Very close together and small sites, so no big RVs will fit. If you veer to the right at the main BLM info sign, on road Q .5, or something like that, there is plenty of wide open and free BLM camping. 
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Veer right at BLM main info sign for free camping 

While I didn't specifically camp here (I camped west of this location on free BLM land) I did drive around the camp site as I explored all that 18 road had to offer, which, if you know, you know. Sites seems fairly accommodating with several different sized campers and tents deployed throughout the campground. Like a different reviewer said, this spot is used primarily by mountain bikers and during the summer months finding a spot will be hard. There are bathrooms scattered about with picnic tables at the sites as well. Cell service was good (Verizon) when I went but be prepared for the usual tight campground squeeze. If you're looking for privacy and solitude, this isn't your place. If you just need a place to slap a tent and ride your bike, then you'll be fine here. Relatively close proximity to Fruita and Grand Junction. Reserve far out!

Not a Bad Spot

*fair warning one night is $18 even tho its BLM. Helps build the amazing trails in the areas.* the drive up is long and slow which is really the only downside. Amazing ****ing campground! We were at site A7, which is very close to the top. There's so many sites to choose from. And our bathroom was surprisingly very clean... the MTB trails are top notch downhill flowy trails! The bike up can be difficult for beginner, average riders.