The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) oversees the preservation and maintenance of more than 247 million acres across the country. In Colorado, numerous pristine areas offer Bureau of Land Management free camping. A notable area in the western region of the state is Knowles Overlook Campground in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, close to Grand Junction. This remote campground is perched overlooking Rabbit Valley, and it is only accessible via a rugged access road. Vehicles with four-wheel drive and high ground clearance are essential. As is true with all Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, you are required to remove all signs of your presence before leaving. At Knowles Overlook Campground, you can enjoy stunning views of the Colorado River and the nearby red cliffs. The elevation is more than 4,500 feet above sea level, and weather conditions in the high desert can change frequently. Many months of the year, however, you can enjoy cool, crisp days and ample sunshine. Knowles Overlook Campground puts you in a great location for water adventures, hiking, biking and other outdoor activities. In addition, Canyonlands National Park in Utah is only about two hours to the southwest, Mesa Verde National Park is four and a half hours to the southeast, and Rocky Mountain National Park is five hours to the northeast.
Forty-five minutes southeast of Knowles Overlook Campground, Riverfront Trail runs along the banks of the Colorado River between Palisade and Fruita. It connects to Blue Heron Trail, Audubon Trail and other points of interest. The trail is popular among bird watchers as it is a habitat for more than 200 species, including ducks, bald eagles, blue herons and hawks. Length: 22 miles Intensity: Easy
The round-trip Devil's Kitchen Trail is located at the Colorado National Monument, 55 minutes southeast of Knowles Overlook Campground. You can walk in between huge, red boulders and rock formations. There are great opportunities for rock scrambling and many scenic views on the trail. The No Thoroughfare Canyon Trail connects to Devil's Kitchen. Length: 3 miles Intensity: Easy
From the visitor center at the Colorado National Monument, you can embark on the Canyon Rim Trail. It takes you around Wedding Canyon and reaches Bookcliff Overlook. At the overlook, you can find the connection to Window Rock Trail. This trail provides landscape views of Wedding Canyon and Canyon National Monument. Length: 1.5 miles Intensity: Easy
Serpent's Trail is a round-trip route that features 16 switchbacks, which supports the trail's nickname as the "Crookedest Road in the World." This is a wide trail with expansive views of the Colorado National Monument. Length: 3.5 miles Intensity: Moderate
While the high desert that surrounds Knowles Overlook Campground is arid, there are several stunning waterways nearby that are ideal for swimming, fishing and boating. At James M. Robb Colorado River State Park, 40 minutes northeast of Knowles Overlook Campground is a stunning swimming spot while Corn Lake is well-suited for fly-fishing and boat fishing. Two hours and 40 minutes east of Knowles Overlook Campground, Grand Mesa National Forest is another prime location for fun on the water with more than 300 lakes. Bull Creek Reservoir and Youngs Creek Reservoir are great for trout fishing. Motorized boating is permitted on Griffith, Sunset and Glacier Lakes, which are approximately an hour and 40 minutes east of Knowles Overlook Campground. Other nearby venues to visit for water adventures include Highline Lake State Park, 40 minutes northeast of Knowles Overlook Campground, Mack Mesa Lake, and Ruby Horsethief Canyon, 50 minutes to the east.
With the towering cliffs and rock formations across the landscape near Knowles Overlook Campground, climbing opportunities are plentiful. Sentinel Spire, about an hour southeast of Knowles Overlook Campground, is a freestanding spire that is 5,380 feet tall. The sandstone rock provides four climbing routes. An hour and 25 minutes southeast of Knowles Overlook Campground, Mother's Buttress, a 7,191-foot chunk of rock, is divided into three crags: Lower, Middle and Upper. There are 141 climbs available. Finally, at the Colorado National Monument, which is approximately an hour and 15 minutes southeast of Knowles Overlook Campground, there are many spires and sandstone cliffs to explore.
When BLM RV camping at Knowles Overlook Campground, you will be close to numerous prime spots for wildlife viewing. For example, at the Colorado National Monument, you may see mountain lions, bighorn sheep, cottontails and grey foxes. At James M. Robb Colorado River State Park, mule deer, coyotes and prairie dogs are some of the native species that you could observe.
Both the Colorado National Monument and James M. Robb Colorado River State Park offer designated picnicking areas. These include picnic tables as well as pavilions for larger groups.
At Knowles Overlook Campground, RV camping is available. The access road to reach the campground is rugged and can only be traveled by vehicles with high ground clearance. The total length of the vehicle should be 30 feet long or less. A vehicle with four-wheel drive is best. At this campground, reservations are required. The nightly fee is $20. If you would like to go RV camping somewhere where there are amenities, you have a couple of options that are about 45 minutes southeast of Knowles Overlook Campground. Monument RV Park, the closest full-service park to the Colorado National Monument, provides extra-long, full-hookup RV sites. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi and cable TV, a seasonal pool and hot tub, two laundry rooms, two restrooms, a grocery store, and more. At Junction West Grand Junction RV Park, the pull-through RV sites are extra wide and come with full hookups. There also is a playground, a picnic area, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi and cable TV, and showers and bathrooms.
You can find several dispersed campsites available on BLM land close to Knowles Overlook Campground. These are found throughout the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, two hours and 15 minutes southeast of Knowles Overlook Campground. Ruby Horsethief Canyon is one of the regions in the conservation area to consider.
Knowles Overlook Campground offers 20 dirt pad sites for tents and smaller RVs that are capable of maneuvering over the access road. Numerous areas that are perfect for BLM RV camping are located on a bluff and provide stunning views. If you have a larger RV or do not have an all-terrain vehicle, there are other campgrounds nearby that may be better suited for your needs. To find a place that will work the best for your trip, simply search "BLM camping near me" before heading out. To prepare for your trip, check the weather as a first step. Pay attention to both overnight lows and daily highs so that you can be prepared for potentially extreme temperature fluctuations. There are no grilling or cooking facilities at Knowles Overlook Campground. You will need to bring your own gear to prepare food. Water and restrooms are also not available. At some of the other campgrounds in the Rabbit Valley area, you can find pit toilets and picnic tables. Bureau of Land Management free camping allows you to enjoy vast expanses of unspoiled wilderness without the crowds that are common at many other camping areas. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
At all Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, the ethical principle of "Leave No Trace" applies. This means that the grounds should be left in the same condition that you found them. Leave no trash or waste, and avoid removing anything from the grounds. You should also carefully select your campsite and respect the area's wildlife.
You can reach the campground by traveling west on Interstate 70 from Grand Junction. Use Exit 2 for Rabbit Valley, and turn left to cross over the highway. This will take you directly into the conservation area. At the first intersection, turn right. At the second intersection, turn left. After traveling roughly 2.8 miles on this main roadway, turn left. Drive another 1.3 miles to reach the campground. Address: 2815 H Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506 Ready to visit Knowles Overlook Campground? 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.
