RV Life In Grand Junction: What’s Allowed And What’s Not

Have you ever dreamed about giving up your house or your rental and making the switch to living full-time in an RV? You are not alone. Plenty of Coloradans daydream about the same thing, but is it as simple as it might seem?

Is full-time RV living something that is even legal in Grand Junction? Keep scrolling to learn more about what Colorado law says about living in an RV, and what Grand Junction zoning and local ordinances have to say about this idea.

Full Time RV Living: What Colorado Law Says

The state of Colorado has no law against full-time RV living. However, Colorado does have rules and regulations about parking, insurance, and boondocking, which can make RV living feel like more trouble than it's worth.

Common RV regulations found throughout the state include that street parking of an RV is limited to 72 hours, if it is allowed at all. Boondocking (camping in a remote spot without hookups) is limited to 14 days, and most locations require the RV to be insured with full-time liability coverage.

Grand Junction Specifics – Zoning & Local Ordinances

The city of Grand Junction allows RV storage but limits on-lot living. You can store an RV in a side yard, but you can not live in it for a period longer than 2 weeks per year. Public camping with an RV is banned city-wide. The city does not offer any ‘safe parking’ zones. No Public land camping is allowed within the city’s limits.

Read More: Where to Find the Best Camping Near Ouray, Colorado

Options for Long-Term RV Residents in Grand Junction

Options for long-term RV residents include:

• Private RV Parks & Extended-Stay Resorts: Canyon View RV Resort. Canyon View offers 3-month stays, full hookups, and rates between $1,140 to $1,650.
• Rural & Unincorporated County Land: Dispersed camping on public lands is often permitted, but you must check with the Forest Service or BLM Office first.
• Public Land / Boondocking Near GJ: The BLM and National Forest lands usually allow up to 14 days per campsite. You are then required to move to a new spot no less than 30 miles away.

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Comparing Your Options in Grand Junction

Private RV Park: You can usually stay here month to month and enjoy full hookups and being a part of the local RV community for a spell. Private RV Paks offer full hookups, but it can get pricey. A waiting list is also pretty common.

On City Private Property: You can park your RV up to 14 days per year. The locations are more convenient, but expect code enforcement if you exceed your limit.

On Rural Land: The number of days will vary depending on where you want to park your RV. You will have plenty of space in most cases, and the flexibility to set up how you want to. The cons are that sometimes permits may need to be purchased, there may be no utility access, and if you set up in the wrong spot by mistake, you will be asked to move.

Public BLM Land: With 14 days available before a site reset is required, this may be the easiest option for RVs. The sites are scenic and often free, but you just can’t stay more than 2 weeks. These sites will also be without utilities.