Campers + Boaters Be Prepared For Changes in McInnis Canyon

Visitors to the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area will notice lots of changes this spring!

If you've never visited this area west of Grand Junction you're missing out on an amazing feature of the Western Slope - Rabbit Valley and according to the BLM, with the changes they're making, it's only going to get better!

Ben Blom, acting NCA manager for the BLM Grand Junction Field Office says,

Rabbit Valley is a great place to car camp, and these improvements are designed to enhance the camping experience for visitors,”

If you're headed out to enjoy this area be aware that the campground road will be closed for several weeks while they improve your driving and camping experience! They will be adding tent pads, fire rings and picnic tables, to all sites and expanding the camping area from four sites to 16, including two new group campsites!

Boaters that enjoy camping in one of the spots along the Ruby-Horsethief stretch of the Colorado River can expect some changes from last year as well. New this year, permits will be issued from the BLM office in Grand Junction for every day of the week and no self-issued permits will be available at the Loma launch site and permits become available 60 days prior to the launch date.

Blom said,

We heard from a number of people last year who told us having weekend permits available in one area and weekday permits in another was inconvenient, so having everything in one place should help people better plan their trips,”

Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis either in person at the Grand Junction Field Office or by telephone at 970-244-3050 or 1-855-807-1808 Monday through Friday, 8a to Noon. The BLM office is closed on weekends and holidays.

This year, fees will be charged for camping permits based on group size and campsite selected.

The fees collected are used on-site to help manage and improve the area, including maintaining campsites and ensuring rangers are on-site to assist the public and enforce rules and regulations. For more info check out: