McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area

McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area is surrounded by high desert canyon country. It’s located on Colorado’s Western Slope near Grand Junction and extends west into eastern Utah. The BLM (Bureau of Land Management) maintains the 123,430-acre park.

The Old Spanish Trail runs through the National Conservation Area. This trail was once referred to as the “longest, crookedest, most arduous mule route in the history of America”.

There are more than 75,000 acres of the Black Ridge Canyons, a national wilderness area within the park, which houses the 2nd largest concentration of natural arches in North America. Fossils have been discovered and have pictographs and petroglyphs.

Activities

McInnis Canyons NCA Grand Junction CO — Biking in McInnis Canyons NCA near Grand Junction. Photo: BLM

Biking – World-class mountain biking exists on Mack Ridge and on the 142-mile Kokopelli Trail, which goes to Moah, UT. These single-track trails can be accessed from Fruita. Mack Ridge is situated between Loma and Mack, CO, south of I-70.

Boating/Fishing – The Colorado River passes through 25 miles of the park, attracting boaters and fishermen. Most of this section of the river is flat water with some Class I and II. The section extends from Loma, CO to Westwater, UT.

No permit is required for day use of the river. Once you start downriver you are committed to going to Westwater, UT.

McInnis Canyons NCA Colorado River — Colorado River flowing through McInnis Canyons NCA. Photo: BLM

Camping – There are 3 designated campgrounds in Rabbit Valley. Go to Exit #2 off of I-70 and head south. There is also designated dispersed at Rabbit Valley, just look for a brown post with a tent symbol.

The Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness located just 2 miles southwest of Fruita offers plenty of dispersed car camping along the roads. Overnight camping is available at 35 designated campsites with a permit.

Read about the camping near Fruita, Grand Junction and Palisade.

Hiking – There is a myriad of trails to explore within this national conservation area. Many of them overlook the vast canyons and natural landmarks, such as the numerous rock arches found within the park.

McInnis Canyons NCA Rock Arch Colorado — Natural arch in McInnis Canyons NCA. Photo by: BLM

Note that it gets very hot here in the summer and the sun is intense, so hikes are best reserved for early morning and late afternoon during this time of year. There is very little to no shade available in canyon-country, so pack plenty of water and wear long-sleeve clothing when trekking around.

Hunting – Hunting is allowed with McInnis Canyons during appropriate seasons. Big game hunting consists of mule deer, elk, and mountain lions within the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness. Small game hunting including rabbit and dove is found in Rabbit Valley.

OHV Riding – Permitted on designated roads and trails in Rabbit Valley, which is 26 miles west of Grand Junction.