The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management camping (BLM) is allowed on public lands administered by the United States Department of the Interior. Most of the time, a nominal fee is involved. Camping on BLM land is usually primitive, and the sites are first come, first served. Before moving to a new location, you can camp for 14 days on any BLM-disbursed camping site. After that, you must be at least 25 miles away from the previous area for another 14 days before you are allowed to return. Devils Canyon Trailhead is a BLM site near the town of Fruta, Colorado that is well-known for both hiking and horseback riding. The Bureau of Land Management asks visitors to the Devils Canyon Trailhead to stay on the marked trails because of the fragility of both the ecosystem in the canyon and the painted rocks in the canyon, the paint on which could be spoiled through human touch. The nearby Rimrock Adventures rents horses, and their two-hour ride takes you to the rim of Devils Canyon. Rocky Mountain National Park is just an hour's drive due north of Devils Canyon Trailhead.
This is a trail for both hikers and OHV riders. It's a popular trail, but the early-morning hours provide some measure of solitude. The trail is known for the many wildflowers that grow along it. You can bring dogs on the trail and in some places, you can even let them off the leash. Length: 6 miles Difficulty: Moderate
Birdwatchers enjoy this trail, and so do wildlife photographers. Length: 6.7 miles in a loop Difficulty: Moderate
This trail is for mountain biking and hiking. You can bring your dogs along and even let them off the leash in a couple of areas. Length: 3.5 miles Difficulty: Easy
Just 30 miles from Devils Canyon Trailhead, you can boat on the Colorado River. The 25-mile stretch through McInnis Canyon is placid, and you can use paddle boards and canoes in addition to kayaks. You can fish in nearby Highline Lake State Park. The two lakes in that park contain catfish, bullhead, and different species of trout.
There are 82 mapped climbing routes in and around Devils Canyon Trailhead. The Cowboy Hat is a popular A1 route in the Alpine system and is a beginner's climb. Phantom Spire is even easier, rated C1+. The moderately difficult climbs include Pitchfork Tower, which is rated 5.8. This climb is on the easier end of the difficult climbs, but it's still for experienced climbers.
There are picnic tables near the trailhead parking lot. Water is not available, so bring your own. There is a vault toilet there too.
Foxes, bears, and coyotes roam the area, so be prepared for these predators. Never approach predators; keep at least 175 feet between you and the animal if possible. There are many bird species in the area, with red-tailed hawks being one of the most prominent. During the spring months that the trailhead is open, you'll hear peepers in the trees.
BLM RV camping at Devils Canyon Trailhead is not available, but the Monument RV Park is just across the street in Fruita, Colorado. Fruita also has an RV dump station in the rest area that can accommodate two RVs at a time. The Canyon View RV Resort is also nearby and provides 160 RV campsites with full hookups. There is Wi-Fi in the campground, too, along with showers.
Bureau of Land Management free camping is the same as boondocking or dispersed camping. Most national forests allow you to camp freely anywhere, and the nearby Arapaho National Forest provides such opportunities. Search online for "BLM camping near me" to find more opportunities for free camping.
The altitude of Fruita, Colorado, the nearest town to Devils Canyon Trailhead, is more than 4,500 feet. If you've never been that high up, it's best to acclimate your body over time. Despite the altitude, the summer months at Devils Canyon Trailhead can be quite hot. During the hottest periods of July, the average high is 94 F. If you're going to hike the canyons, ensure you know your heat injury first aid. Know the signs of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. A heat stroke can be life-threatening, so take proper precautions. Ensure you have lots of water when you hike through the heat. Weather in the mountains can be tricky, so preparing for any temperature or storm is a good idea, particularly in the autumn. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
To ensure you leave no trace at the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, don't take anything that wasn't with you when you arrived. Also, don't leave anything behind that you had with you when you arrived. Also, please do not disturb the wildlife, camp in locations where others have camped before and do not touch the artifacts to preserve their natural state.
From Fruita, Colorado, take Route 340 south out of town. Cross the Colorado River and turn west onto Kingsview Road. When you reach the crossroads with Horsethief Canyon Road, bear southwest onto Devils Canyon Road. The campground is only 200 meters from the junction. Latitude / Longitude 39.14, -108.759 Ready to visit Devils Canyon Trailhead? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
