Between Palisade, Grand Junction, and Fruita you have an area full of fantastic campgrounds to accommodate travelers. There is camping at two state parks, a national monument, BLM land, private RV parks, and various others.
Although it’s not directly in the midst of the woods or tallest peaks, you’ll find easy access to both the Uncompahgre (to the south) and Grand Mesa (to the east) national forests. They each provide seemingly endless acres of alpine activities, from mesmerizing hikes and off-road driving to additional camping a bit further from civilization. However, you’ll still find plenty of outdoor recreation and campgrounds closer to town.
The James M. Robb Colorado River State Park is a unique park located along the Colorado River. Split into 5 sections, each with its own designated recreation and activities, this park features two campgrounds on both the east and western sides of Grand Junction. The Colorado National Monument is a ca n’t-miss bucket list attraction sandwiched between Grand Junction and Fruita. It has a cool campground too, located high over the Grand Valley floor.
The following region covers the best campgrounds near the Mesa County towns:
- Palisade
- Clifton
- Grand Junction
- Fruita
- Loma
- Mack
List of camping by Palisade, Grand Junction and Fruita, CO, in order of proximity:
Camping near Palisade
Palisade is known for its amazing wine vineyards, which dot the landscapes surrounding the town. You can tour many of them and then visit the tasting rooms for a satisfying summer day. In addition to delicious grapes, anyone local to Colorado has heard of the delicious Palisade Peaches that are grown here.
Like the prime camping season, the harvest season for peaches lasts from late June to October. Downtown Palisade has a few colorful blocks of shops and restaurants, and since it’s only 15 minutes west of downtown Grand Junction, it makes a fantastic base camp.
Palisade Basecamp RV Resort
When you approach Palisade Basecamp RV Resort, you may miss it at first–this park is hidden behind a beautiful peach orchard and sits right up against the Colorado River, but that’s just the start of the amenities at this spot. With a swimming pool and a dog run, even your furry friends will love your stay in Mesa County.
- Closest Town: Palisade (1mi), Grand Junction (13mi)
- Specs: 90 total sites, full hookups available for RVs and trailers, riverfront tent camping sites available as well; reservable
- Amenities: Showers, restrooms, laundry, dump station, dog run, swimming pool
- Address: 985 N River Rd, Palisade, CO 81526 (Map)
James M. Robb CO River State Park – Island Acres Campground
If you want to be close to the water during your camping experience, Island Acres Section Campground is the prime location to spend your vacation. A huge selection of sites awaits you at Island Acres, where you will be surrounded by three fishing lakes as well as a swimming hole to cool off in during the summertime.
- Closest Town: Palisade (7mi), Grand Junction (18mi)
- Specs: 78 total sites on the Colorado River, many w/ full-hookup or electric-only services, tent-only campsites as well; reservable
- Amenities: Restrooms, coin showers, laundry, 3 fishing lakes and a swimming hole, 2 playgrounds
- Address: 1055 I-70, Palisade, CO 81526 (Map)
Camping near Grand Junction
With an estimated population of around 65,000 residents, Grand Junction provides all the shops, restaurants, and attractions to keep you entertained and well-fed during your Western Colorado camping trip. The downtown features several blocks of businesses, perfect for strolling and enjoying the warmer days at 4,586 feet.
With magnificent mesas visible in most directions, it’s a scenic high desert landscape with a few RV campgrounds to choose from close to town. Clifton is its direct neighbor to the east and part of the same metro statistical area.
Grand Junction KOA Holiday
Want to stay in the heart of Grand Junction? The Grand Junction KOA Holiday is a compact RV park packed full of amenities you’ve come to expect in a KOA, like a playground for the kids as well as mini golf. The best part of staying here, however, is the ease of access to all of the recreation that Grand Junction has to offer.
- Closest Town: Grand Junction (4mi)
- Specs: 50+ full hookup pull-thru, back-in, and tent camping sites, cabins also available; reservable
- Amenities: Showers, restrooms, dog runs, laundry, dump station, playground, mini-golf
- Address: 2819 US-50, Grand Junction, CO 81503 (Map)
RV Ranch at Grand Junction
RV Ranch at Grand Junction is one of the largest RV parks we’ve come across, with amenities like a swimming pool and WiFi to help entertain the whole family. Just a hop, skip and jump to Grand Junction, this RV park is worth a visit on your next stay in this gorgeous area.
- Closest Town: Clifton (<1mi), Grand Junction (6mi)
- Specs: 146 total sites, many with full hookups, and cabins available; reservable
- Amenities: Showers, restrooms, laundry, pavilion, swimming pool, fire pit, cable and WiFi available
- Address: 3238, I-70BL, Clifton, CO 81520 (Map)
Junction West RV Park
For those who want the best of both Fruita and Grand Junction’s tourist attractions, Junction West RV Park is located almost directly in between to serve visitors of both towns. A splash pad helps keep the kids cool during the summertime, while the dog park is the best way to keep your furry friend entertained.
- Closest Town: Fruita (6mi), Grand Junction (7mi)
- Specs: 70 full hookup pull-thru and back-in RV and trailer sites, 6 tent campsites, and 2 cabins
- Amenities: Showers, restrooms, laundry, propane, free WiFi, dog park, splash pad, cable
- Address: 793 22 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81505 (Map)
Camping near Fruita
Like its eastern neighbor Grand Junction, Fruita is another western slope town known for its epic mountain biking and a gateway to the Colorado National Monument. A larger town of more than 13,000 people, Fruita will have everything you need for your camping weekend, be it a microbrewery, supermarket, or museum.
The walkable downtown is colorful, full of art sculptures and various locally owned businesses. Just west of Fruita is Loma and west of that is Mack. Any further west and you’ll hit Utah.
Monument RV Resort
For those visitors who want to stay close to Fruita, Monument RV Resort is the place. With such perks as a fitness center and a pool with a hot tub, you’ll feel like you’re staying at a high-class resort without having to pay the price.
- Closest Town: Fruita (1mi), Grand Junction (13mi)
- Specs: Large full-hookup RV park w/ tent campsites and cabins; reservable
- Amenities: Showers, restrooms, laundry, dump station, free WiFi, fitness center, pool and hot tub, playground, dog run
- Address: 607 CO-340, Fruita, CO 81521 (Map)
James M. Robb CO River State Park – Fruita Campground
For those who want to treat themselves during their stay near Fruita, the Fruita Section Campground is one of the most developed around. With an abundance of full-hookup sites, this campground is a haven for RV and trailer campers but also features walk-in tent campsites as well.
- Closest Town: Fruita (2mi), Grand Junction (14mi)
- Specs: 57 total sites, 22 w/ full-hook up, 22 w/ electric only, and 13 walk-in tent campsites; reservable
- Amenities: 4 restrooms, coin showers, laundry, visitor center, book store, playgrounds, fishing nearby
- Address: 595 Highway 340, Fruita, CO 81521 (Map)
Colorado National Monument – Saddlehorn Campground
Colorado National Monument represents some of the most unique beauty of the western edge of the state, and camping is available for those who want to soak in the views and the scenic drives that surround the site. Although the amenities are few, there is ample room for RVs and trailers to cozy up at this campground.
- Closest Town: Fruita (8mi), Grand Junction (16mi)
- Specs: 80 total sites, pull-thru, and back-in for RVs and trailers (40ft limit) as well as tent camping sites; reservable
- Amenities: Flush toilets, water, picnic tables, fire pits, and charcoal grills
- Address: Saddlehorn Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81507 (Map)
Bookcliff Campground – Highline Lake State Park
Located in Highline Lake State Park, Bookcliff Campground is a well-known spot for RV and tent campers looking to appreciate Highline Lake and its recreational offerings. For weary travelers entering through the Utah border, Bookcliff is the perfect place to spend a nice recuperating before taking in the opportunities that Mesa County affords.
- Closest Town: Loma (6mi), Fruita (12mi), Grand Junction (24mi)
- Specs: 34 total sites for tent camping and RVs, 3 walk-in tent sites, and group camping areas as well; reservable
- Amenities: Restrooms, coin showers, laundry at Camper Services, dump station, water spigots
- Address: 11 8/10 Rd, Loma, CO 81524 (Map)
18 Road BLM/ North Fruita Desert Campground
If you want to go way off the beaten path, there are several BLM campgrounds in Mesa County to choose from. Among the most popular of these is 18 Rd BLM/North Fruita Desert campground, which doesn’t offer much in the way of amenities but does have great access to the world-famous 18 Rd mountain biking trails.
- Closest Town: Fruita (13mi), Loma (16mi), Grand Junction (25mi)
- Specs: 35 total campsites in a challenging environment for large vehicles; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: 4 vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, access to world-class mountain biking trails
- Address: 2476 18 Rd, Loma, CO 81524 (Map)
Rabbit Valley BLM Campgrounds
Rabbit Valley Motorized Area is located within McInnis Canyon National Conservation Area and the spectacular scenery that this BLM land offer is indescribable. There are a handful of campgrounds accessible in this area–we’ve listed the two most well-known. As always when using a free-use BLM campsite, be sure to practice fire safety and always pack your trash out.
Jouflas Campground
Rabbit Valley’s most famous campground, Jouflas is located only a few miles into the maze of roads that make up Rabbit Valley Motorized Area. While there aren’t many amenities at this campground, it affords great opportunities for recreation like hiking, wildlife viewing, and fishing.
- Closest Town: Mack (11mi), Fruita (20mi), Grand Junction (32mi)
- Specs: 8 undeveloped campsites; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Vault toilet, fire pits, picnic tables, access to hiking and wildlife viewing
- Address: Rabbit Valley Rd, Mack, CO 81525 (Map)
Knowles Overlook Campground
When you’ve had enough of civilization, Knowles Overlook Campground is an undeveloped respite to stay a few nights at. Be warned, however, to not attempt this drive without 4WD or in an RV, as this campsite is incredibly remote.
- Closest Town: Mack (15mi), Fruita (23mi), Grand Junction (32mi)
- Specs: 7 undeveloped sites, 4WD advised (no trailer/RV access); first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Pit toilet, access to hiking and wildlife viewing
- Address: Rabbit Valley Rd, Mack, CO 81525 (Map)
Consider the Grand Mesa or Black Canyon of the Gunnison
An hour and a half to the east of downtown Grand Junction leads you to the summit of the Grand Mesa. The towns of Collbran and Cedaredge lie on opposite sides of the largest flat-topped mountain in the world, to the north and south respectively. You can drive from side to side year-round, weather pending, via the Grand Mesa Byway. From end to end, you’ll find a plethora of campsites on Grand Mesa.
Another natural wonder in the realm of an hour and a half drive from downtown GJ is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, where you’ll find campgrounds on both sides of the deep, dark canyon. Both sides are about an equal distance from GJ. The South Rim near Montrose has the larger campground with far more facilities. The opposite side lies closest to Crawford. The road to the North Rim follows along the West Elk Loop, another national scenic byway, so the journey is the destination.
That’s a roundup of the best places to camp in Mesa County, including the towns of Palisade, Clifton, Grand Junction, Fruita, Loma, and Mack, Colorado.
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