List Your RV

BLM Camping

Dominguez Canyon Wilderness

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

Home
Bureau of Land Management
Colorado
Dominguez Canyon Wilderness

BLM sites are beautiful, untouched public lands that allow visitors to explore an area and enjoy various recreational activities, including camping, fishing, boating, biking, hiking, and more. These sites are primarily left in their most natural state and are naturally secluded and tranquil. To explore these sites, query "BLM camping near me."

Located near Grand Junction, CO, Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is a scenic BLM site that was declared a national wilderness site in 2009 and covers over 66,280 acres. This region has a diverse and picturesque landscape, allowing visitors to see stunning desert canyons. Dominguez Canyon Wilderness boasts two creeks, the Big and the Little Dominguez, which form the two canyons that lay adjacent to each other in the Uncompahgre Plateau. Throughout the wilderness, you'll find a diverse assortment of ecosystems, from ponderosa pines and Douglas-fir at high elevations to the Sonoran piñon-juniper desert near Gunnison River.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Big Dominguez Canyon Trail

Dominguez Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail that offers access to some of the renowned places of the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, including rock art and waterfalls. This trail meanders along the banks of the Big Dominguez Creek before joining with the Gunnison River and offers spectacular views of the wilderness.

Length: 12.3 miles

Intensity: Easy

Big Dominguez and Little Dominguez Loop

The Big Dominguez and Little Dominguez Loop offer a pretty challenging trek that takes hikers through the two main canyons found in the wilderness. Although it's a long backpacking route, the elevation gain along this trail is gradual, and the path provides stunning views of the surrounding areas.

Length: 38.8 miles

Intensity: Difficult

Fishing and Boating

The Gunnison River allows visitors to float in its lower section using canoes, rafts, and stand-up paddle boards. Boaters can also experience the Hail Mary Rapid and the vast unspecified island near the Dominguez Canyon. However, overnight boaters need a free camping permit before getting into the river. Fishing is also popular in the Gunnison River, where anglers catch rainbow trout, channel catfish, and brown trout.

Climbing

The Dominguez Canyon Wilderness features a rocky terrain with numerous canyons, mesas, and sandstone bluffs, so rock climbers will have countless activities to enjoy. Some of the popular climbing sites include Escalate Canyon and Sawmill Mesa.

Wildlife Viewing

Several unique wildlife species call Dominguez Canyon Wilderness home, including deer, bighorn sheep, elk, mountain lions, wild turkeys, chukar, and black bears.

Picnicking

There are some designated picnic areas with picnic tables in the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness, but visitors can picnic anywhere as long as they leave the sites clean. When picnicking in the area, wear sturdy hiking shoes because traveling through the wilderness on foot is very demanding.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Dominguez Canyon Wilderness features well-maintained camping sites where BLM RV camping is allowed. The Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the wilderness, Grand Junction KOA Campground and Big Dominguez Campground, offer RV and tent camping year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. These campgrounds provide full power hookups, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, barbecues, picnic tables, and an extensive playground for kids to enjoy.

Free Camping

Dominguez Canyon Wilderness offers excellent Bureau of Land Management free camping sites for primitive campers adventuring the area. However, camping is allowed on designated spots, at pre-used sites, and on established surfaces like dry grass, rocks, and sand. This BLM site allows visitors to stay for a maximum of 14 days in a single place.

RV Rentals Near Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Dominguez Canyon Wilderness BLM trip

Although the weather conditions tend to be favorable at this Bureau of Land Management camping site all year-round, it's recommended that any RV stays at this destination occurs during fall, spring, or winter. During summer, temperatures get extremely hot and uncomfortable.

Although there are Bureau of Land Management campgrounds nearby, they don't accept reservations. Therefore, you should call ahead to confirm if there’s space. Also, pack enough clothing, food, and drinking water. You may also consider bringing bug repellant if you plan to go near the water because those areas are heavily infested with insects. A map and compass are also highly recommended.

Driving into this wilderness can be challenging due to the kind of terrain in the area. Therefore, if you plan on using an RV, exercise caution on the road, and proceed slowly. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

All visitors to the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness must observe Leave No Trace policies to keep the BLM site clean and preserve the available ecosystems. Be sure to pack out all trash and pack out or bury all human waste in holes dug 6-8 inches deep that are at least 200 feet from water sources, camping sites, and trails. If you find any trash at the site, it's respectful to pick it up and dispose of it properly. Leave plants, animals, rocks, and other natural objects as you found them. Watch animals from a distance, and stay on the established paths and trails as much as possible.