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BLM Camping

Rabbit Valley Motorized Area

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

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Rabbit Valley Motorized Area

The Rabbit Valley Motorized Area is located in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area outside of Grand Junction, Colorado. The area is near the Utah border and offers many trails for OHV, ATV, and dirt bike riding. There are also several options for mountain biking, dispersed camping, and wildlife viewing and photography. Each trail in the area is clearly marked with permitted activities. Always obey any trail signs while enjoying the area.

Public lands that are protected and cared for by the Bureau of Land Management, BLM sites offer visitors a spectacular opportunity to visit an area in its natural state and experience a range of recreational activities. To find BLM sites that specifically offer camping options or amenities, search for “BLM camping near me.”

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Rabbit’s Ear Mesa Trail

This beautiful trail in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area offers beautiful views and is a good way to see some native plants and animals.

Length: 6 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Monument Canyon Loop Trail

Located in the nearby Colorado National Monument, this trail offers some challenging uphill climbs and provides lovely views at sunrise and sunset.

Length: 4.5 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Rattlesnake Arches Trail

Located in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness, this lengthy hike is a good option for experienced hikers or backpackers.

Length: 14.3 miles

Intensity: Difficult

Ruby Canyon Geology Trail

This trail provides beautiful views of the canyon walls and surrounding landscape and also offers access to the Colorado River.

Length: 5.4 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Flume Canyon Trail

This hike offers gorgeous views, but it can be very hot in the heat of the day during the summer months.

Length: 4.8 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

Some of the best fishing can be had in the nearby Colorado River, which runs through Grand Junction and parts of the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. Catfish, walleyes, trout, bass, and pike are the most common catches. Paddling, canoeing, and kayaking are also popular along the river, and there are some excellent locations for swimming.

Climbing

The nearby Colorado National Monument offers several fantastic sport, top-rope, and traditional climbs on various towers. The monument and the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area also provide many opportunities for bouldering.

Wildlife Viewing

The Rabbit Valley Motorized Area and the surrounding McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area are both fantastic places to view or photograph wildlife. Visitors can often spot bighorn sheep, deer, eagles, songbirds, snakes, lizards, rabbits, mountain lions, and squirrels.

Picnicking

The nearby Devil’s Kitchen Picnic Area offers beautiful views and is a great place to stop for a rest or meal. The area provides shaded picnic tables, drinking fountains, and restrooms.

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is popular along many of the trails in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, the Colorado National Monument, and the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness. Flume Canyon Trail, for example, is commonly used by equestrians.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

BLM RV camping can be found at the Saddlehorn Campground in the Colorado National Monument. The campground is open all year and offers restrooms, and there is a dump station at the nearby Fruita Welcome Center. The Grand Junction KOA Holiday is also a great RV campground option. It offers sites with full hookups, and there is a pool. The Canyon View RV Resort also offers full hookups, and there are restrooms and showers. The resort is pet-friendly and offers a dog run area.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping can be found at three locations in the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. These campgrounds are called Castle Rocks, Jouflas, and Knowles Overlook, and each campground has numbered and signed designated sites for dispersed camping. These sites are the only locations in the conservation area where camping of any kind is allowed. Sites are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

RV Rentals Near Rabbit Valley Motorized Area Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Rabbit Valley Motorized Area BLM trip

If you plan to camp in the Rabbit Valley Motorized Area, you must bring a portable toilet and a fire pan with you. Fire pans help to make fire control easier and safer, while portable toilets make it simple and sanitary to dispose of waste. Always keep your camping area clean, and try to minimize your footprint as much as possible.

Summers in the area around the Rabbit Valley Motorized Area are hot, dry, and relatively long, with warm temperatures lasting from April to as late as November. Winters in the area are short, but they can be very cold, with temperatures well below freezing. Winters also see a fair amount of snowfall. The area doesn’t get too much rain, but it’s still always a good idea to check the forecast before you leave, especially if you’re planning to camp overnight.

Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Whenever you visit Bureau of Land Management campgrounds or remote locations like the Rabbit Valley Motorized Area, it’s very important that you pack out all of your trash. If you see litter as you enjoy the area, do your part to pick it up and throw it away. Respect the landscape by traveling along trails or over areas with little vegetation. Observe fire safety rules and bans, and always keep fires completely controlled. Share the area with other visitors, including people, such as hikers or mountain bikers, who may not be riding motorized vehicles. Stay alert for animals in your path as you ride, and always give animals plenty of space to move around you.