The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area (NCA) is a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) preservation area of over 210,000 acres of land in Colorado. This area is home to geological landmarks dating as far back as 600 million years ago and historic landmarks dating as far back as 10,000 years ago. Some of these historic marks include cave paintings of Native American hunting rituals, as well as artifacts left by miners of the 1800s in Colorado.
Made up of many canyons and mesas large and small, the national conservation area also includes bodies of running water like Escalante Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Little and Big Dominguez Creeks, and Gunnison River. Elevations of the mountains and mesas span from 4,800 to 8,200 feet tall, making it a great destination for rock climbers. Hikers also come to the area to explore the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, a trade route that was widely used during the 19th century.
The Palisade Rim Trail is a fairly short trail that offers great views of the surrounding mesas and some petroglyphs.
Length: 3.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Lorax Trail is a great hiking trail that loops through fields of wildflowers and rocky mountain peaks.
Length: 3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Deer Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail that follows a path through a forest and passes by many mini waterfalls along the way.
Length: 7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Anglers can come to the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area to fish in the Gunnison River, 30 miles of which runs straight through the heart of the NCA. Floating in the lower section of this river is very popular as well, especially with rafts, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards from April to October. In the Gunnison River, boaters can encounter the Hail Mary Rapid and the unnamed large island downstream from the Dominguez Canyon. Overnight boaters, with or without motorized boats, will be required to obtain a free overnight camping permit before taking off on the river. You can obtain a permit as needed from the Escalante Boat Launch area.
Rock climbers can take advantage of the many red-rock canyons, sandstone bluffs, and mix of mesas at the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area any time of year. Some top climbing destinations here include Ninemile Hill, Sawmill Mesa, and Escalante Canyon. As with climbing on any Bureau of Land Management-owned land, climbers are advised to travel in groups with first aid kits on hand in case of emergencies. Keep in mind that cell reception will be sparse in the conservation area, so having quick exit plans can help prevent dangerous situations.
The Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area is home to many native animal species, including desert bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lions, black bears, elk, turkeys, golden eagles, and collared lizards, among a total of 52 other protected plant and animal species. With 115 miles of running water streams and rivers in the area, waterfowl, beavers, and plenty of reptiles can be seen by the water in the summer months.
There are few designated picnic areas in the Dominguez-Escalante NCA, but picnicking is permitted anywhere so long as visitors clean up after themselves and do not leave food behind. When picnicking on the land, consider bringing folding chairs or blankets to sit on. If you're not near any trash bins, you'll want to have bags on hand to pick up your leftovers. If you'd like to picnic at a table or on a bench, look for benches in the Cactus Park area.
Cactus Park is located within this NCA and is popular with local all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders. There are miles of marked trails running through the NCA and the nearby Uncompahgre National Forest for off-roaders to use, and hikers and bikers can use these trails as well. Those who like using mountain bikes, both motorized and non-motorized, will also like the Tabeguache Mountain Bike Trail, which goes through Cactus Park and extends 142 miles between Grand Junction to Montrose, CO.
When you want to go RV camping with full hookups near the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, look for privately owned campgrounds that offer electricity and water to guests. You can try a campground like Sundance RV Park or Applewood RV Park, both of which have full hookups and free Wi-Fi.
If you'd like to go BLM RV camping for free at Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, you have a few options. One option is camping at an organized campsite like Big Dominguez Campground or Potholes Campground, both of which are owned by the Bureau of Land Management and take no fees for camping. However, campsites here are given on a first-come, first-served basis, and spaces big enough for RVs may fill quickly. Alternatively, you can take advantage of dispersed camping at this national conservation area by setting up your tent or RV on a durable surface that's at least 100 feet from the water. No matter where you camp at this NCA, remember that you may only stay for up to 14 days at a time.
If you're going to camp at this national conservation area, remember that your trip will be primitive, and you'll need to pack your own water for drinking and washing. You may also want to bring bug repellant if you'll be near the water since those areas are very insect heavy. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All visitors to the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area will be asked to follow the BLM's Leave No Trace principles in order to keep the area clean and free of human footprints as much as possible. To follow these principles, simply pick up after yourself, watch your campfires closely, and keep your distance from the wildlife.
From Grand Junction, Colorado, take 29 Road and turn left onto US-50 East. From there, travel south for 20 miles, and then turn right onto Dominguez Canyon Road to reach the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area.
Ready to visit Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area? 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.
