The best of fruita is a 3day guided mountain bike tour featuring parts of the kokopelli trail and book cliffs singletrack. Much of the area is desert valley floor with washes and sharp ridges. The shorter drive times and wide variety of trail options makes it a. Enjoy world class single track mountain biking trails as well as designated routes for offhighway vehicles, hiking, and horseback riding. The fruita campground is open yearround, and is the only developed campground in capitol reef national park. Fruita is awesome desert riding with a variety of trails and locations to ride. The book cliffs 18 road area or the north fruita desert trail system offers fast and rolling trails such. You can experience sheerwalled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of rim rock drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles.
Edge loop is a other mountain bike trail in fruita, colorado. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time i comment. It is located 18 miles 29 km east of the utah border near the 39 parallel. North fruita desert recreation area colorado motorcycle and atv. Miles and miles of single track provide routes for everyone from casual beginner to lungbusting pro. This is an awesome stretch of blm land about five miles from the city with views of the book cliffs.
The book cliffs are an enormous area that spans two states. The bike trails can be accessed from either 18 rd or 16 rd just north of the town of fruita. Trailforks scans users ridelogs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. And with the exception of a few privately held parcels of land, almost 96% of the 2. The map notates roads, trails, trailheads, points of interest, campgrounds and much more printed on waterproof, tearresistant material. Nearby fruita has an amazing pizza joint called the hot. Fruita colorado 18 road the bookcliffs mountain bike bill.
Maplets is an ios and android app for offline maps of national. Home to wild horses, theres always something new to see or do in the bookcliffs. The mack ridge and kokopelli area offer amazing views of the river and some technical riding like no other. Recently ive added the trolley line in grand junction, the electric rr to fruita and the coal mines of palisade. Fruita, co has emerged in recent years as a sweet alternative to moab, ut for those traveling from. North fruita ohv area, book cliffs, layton wash, coal gulch, edge loop, ross ridge, hunter canyon, eighteen road. One of the bureau of land managements backyard to backcountry treasures, information on the 18 road trails zippity loop was developed between imba and the grand junction, co, blm office to provide worldclass riding experiences. Whether you have offroad toys, such as mountain bikes or atvs, or if you just want a relaxing evening or weekend away, youll find what youre looking for. The park preserves unique geologic features, important archeological evidence, diverse plant and animal communities, and the homesteads and stories of early mormon pioneer settlers.
Helmet camera video while mountain biking in fruita colorado at the bookcliffs, joes ridge, chutes and ladders. There are many trail options and distances to choose from. Youll want to camp with the cool kids on 18 road, also known as the book cliffs. The book cliffs trail system consists of five interconnecting trails chutes, edge loop, frontside, prime ribjoes ridge, and zippity on both single and double track. This place is situated in mesa county, colorado, united states, its geographical coordinates are 39 9 32 north, 108 43 42 west and its original name with diacritics is fruita. Mountain biking in fruita colorado book cliffs kenric. Book cliffs view grand view independence monument view monument canyon view coke ovens overlook artists point highland view fallen rock overlook upper ute canyon overlook red canyon overlook ute canyon view west fruita entrance 4690ft 1430m distant view saddlehorn fruita canyon view o t t o s t r a i l m o u m e nt c a n y o n tr a i l b. With close proximity to fruita and grand junction, this area is popular for many types of recreation.
Robb colorado river state park travelers can visit coming from the west into colorado on interstate 70. Trail system fruita, co bookcliffs 18 road dimensions. The edge loop mountain bike trail, fruita, colorado. Head up to book cliffs 18 road for some of the best flow style trails in the area. You can experience sheerwalled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of rim rock drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring. Jul 10, 2016 here, an insiders guide for mountain biking in fruita, with trails listed in the recommended order in which you might like to tackle them. This welcoming western slope town borders on obsessed when it comes to mountain biking. Cpw issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife. Fruita, colorado mountain biking trails trailforks. This is a great place to hike, especially in the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the horses are readily seen. Fruita is part of the grand junction metropolitan statistical area within the grand valley. Explore the best trails in fruita, colorado on traillink. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of colorados wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs.
Chasing epic offers allinclusive, multiday guided mountain bike vacations so you can explore all the fruita classics. The drive from the highway was about 23 miles but took well over an hour. There are 22 moderate trails in fruita ranging from 1. The little book cliffs wild horse area grand junction. An epic loop combining the best of fruita singletrack and 360 degree views from the book cliffs. The fruita section is enjoyed by grand valley residents and is the first section of james m. Free trail maps, driving directions, regulations, fees and camping information for north fruita desert recreation area in colorado. The area is especially popular in the spring and fall, when mountain trails are still covered in snow and the desert isnt too hot. North fruita ohv area, book cliffs, layton wash, coal gulch, edge loop. Canyons and arroyos dominated by red rocks unfold to the west.
The geography is identified by the bordering colorado river historically known as the grand river on the southern edge of town, the uncompahgre plateau known for its pinyonjuniper landscape, and the book cliffs range on the northern edge of the grand valley. The shorter drive times and wide variety of trail options makes it a great family spot. Book cliffs road 18 trails p23t23 meet jeff baysinger masked outside over the edge bike shop in downtown fruita, then caravan to the road 18 trailhead. Here, an insiders guide for mountain biking in fruita, with trails listed in the recommended order in which you might like to tackle them. Standing on top of the book cliffs, more than 2,000 vertical feet above the grand valley basin, one begins to realize why the edge loop in fruita, colorado, is indeed epic. Monument canyon colorado national monument locally referred to as the monument is a national park service unit near the city of grand junction, colorado. Colorado national monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the american west. Mountain bike the book cliffs, north fruita desert campground. Official colorado national monument map pdf my colorado. The book cliffs are a series of desert mountains and cliffs in western colorado and eastern utah, in the western united states. Fruita a great city just 8 miles from grand junction. Home to wild horses, theres always something new to. The bus connects fruita stops with the mesa mall on u. Ruth welch, blm state director, presented the fom darting team with the volunteer of the year award in 2015.
Fruita continues to grow as mountain biking hub outthere. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. We drove to the little book cliffs wild horse area. Jan 29, 2006 helmet camera video while mountain biking in fruita colorado at the bookcliffs, joes ridge, chutes and ladders. Click below to read the comments and see other important information regarding this area. Spectacular canyons cut deep into sandstone, and even granitegneissschist, rock formations. Imbas data on the trail includes elevations, ratings, current conditions, photos, and comments.
Free trail maps, driving directions, regulations, fees and camping. Fruita capitol reef national park all you need to know. Icon trails like kessel run and pbr make the dusty drive up the road. The club has hired panpacific once again to help the club compile a legal comment regarding the proposed changes to the domiguezescalante area south of grand junction and whitewater. Once in the park we saw five horses but they were very far. This is an area of desert land high on the colorado plateau, with pinion and juniper forests on the plateau. The sarlacc trail is located in the little book cliffs above the 18 roadnorth fruita desert area north of fruita, colorado. This is a great start for your weekend and a perfect intro to fruita. Robbcolorado river and highline lake state parks, little book cliffs wild horse range, westwater canyon and black ridge canyons wilderness. The trail was built by a consortium of local groups and the blm as a recreational venue for dirt bikes, mountain bikes, hikers and equestrians.
Best of fruita mountain bike tour guided mountain bike tour. Pride of ownership shows here, dont miss this country home. The viewing platform is right in front of a small pulloff parking area for the book cliffs view. Tons of flow and amazing views of the book cliffs out at 18 road. Colorado national monument mcinnis canyons national conservation area national geographic trails illustrated map national geographic maps trails illustrated on. Map coverage covers all or part of all or part of 40 usgs 1. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. They created another set along the benches above the scenic colorado river just west. They are so named because the cliffs of cretaceous sandstone that cap many of the southfacing buttes appear similar to a shelf of books. We like a nice town, not too busy but with some life, decent restaurants not all fast food within walking distance of the hotel, and reasonably priced. The 18 road trails are really what put fruita on the mountain bike map. Beginning in the floor of the valley the trail follows a route that leads to the top of the little books cliffs near corcoran point.
If these spaces are full, continue north around the bend to the window rock trail parking area and use the window rock trail to connect down to the canyon rim trail. The trail system and associated camping provide great opportunities to experience the diverse terrain of the desert environment along the base of the bookcliffs. Located approximately 10 miles northwest of grand junction, the city of fruita features some of the most varied outdoor recreation opportunities in the state of colorado. Icon trails like kessel run and pbr make the dusty drive up the road worth the trip.
This is what put fruita on the mountain biking map. Mountain biking in fruita colorado book cliffs youtube. This is a great start for your weekend and a perfect intro to fruita singletrack. At the north end of the area lie the book cliffs, one of the longest, continuous geological features in the world. The bookcliffs define the skyline of grand junction. With more than 1 fruita trails covering 22 miles, youre bound to find a perfect trail like the colorado riverfront trail or na. Lots of small, stunted trees, hills, and cool views of the cliffs which are right above the trail. If you get there early, theres a nice coffee shop across the street. Most trails run up and down the cattle pastures while a couple run along the base of the book cliffs. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. Fruita is on route 8 of the grand valley transit, the operating regional bus transportation system. The route in the book cliffs 18 road area just north of town extends joes ridge to the south and features the characteristics that put this farming town on the mountain biking map. Start checking them out and youll be out on the trail in no time. Your guide to fall mountain biking in fruita go fruita.
The ride starts at the 18 road bookcliffs recreation area and takes you high up into the book cliffs. Fruita area map and guide capitol reef became a national monument in 1937 and a national park in 1971. Colorado parks and wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Baryte and calcite found in concretions ranging from a half an inch to over 6 feet with some concretions in a linear configuration, up to the size of a sedansaloon. The distinctive formations offer plenty of hiking, camping and more. Colorado national monument mcinnis canyons national. Fruita, co has emerged in recent years as a sweet alternative to moab, ut for those traveling from colorados front range. It is a good idea to print out a map and take with you or save it on your smartphone. View grand junctions wild horses visit grand junction. Head north on cherry street and take the first right onto aspen. With magnificent views of both the colorado national monument and the book cliffs area, the fruita section provides. Book cliffs view, fruita, colorado hiking trail maps.
The little book cliffs wild horse area darting team is a volunteer group which controls the population of wild horses in the area by shooting darts with a substance that prevents mares from becoming pregnant. Sit on your wrap around deck enjoying the views of the monument book cliffs or watching your animals graze. Highway 6 and 50 and at the western end of state highway 340. Directions take interstate 70 west to fruita exit 19. North fruita desert recreation area colorado motorcycle and. Catch a fall sunset out on the pasture or along the base of the book cliffs and youll know why these trails are worldclass. Devils canyon trailhead offers exceptional hiking and horseback riding opportunities in a landscape of colorful intricate cliffs and deep canyons that tell a story shaped by shallow seas, a meandering river systems, and ongoing uplift and erosion. We are planning to visit the area in september, particularly colorado national monument, and wondered where is the better place to stay grand junction or fruita. Dec 09, 2019 trail map other names north fruita ohv area, book cliffs, layton wash, coal gulch, edge loop, ross ridge, hunter canyon, eighteen road campground, chutes, frontside, joes ridge, zippity. Youll also find some great local park options, like connected lakes state park or little book cliffs wilderness study area. Nov 12, 2019 experience the mountains, high desert, sheer cliffs and plateaus with a fruita mountainbiking adventure and a roadbike circuit through the colorado national monument.
Just eight miles northeast of grand junction, the little book cliffs wild horse area encompasses more than 36,000 acres of rugged canyons and plateaus. Also, once you get to the bottom of the book cliffs the uphills in and out of the wash were way to steep to ride and really broke up the. With quick access to the colorado national monument, the book cliffs, and the colorado river, youre sure to find something fun to do outside during your stay. Position your mouse over the map and use your mousewheel to zoom in or out. North fruita desert recreation area colorado motorcycle. The tellerico trail is located in the little book cliffs wild horse range north of grand junction, colorado. Waterproof tearresistant topographic map national geographics trails illustrated map of colorado national monument details the. The kessel run trail is located in the north fruita desert area, at the north end. At the north end of the area lie the book cliffs, one of the longest, continuous geological features in the. While the valley around fruita looks like the perfect area to locate a land fill, the scenery near the bookcliffs is pretty cool. Bordering the colorado river on the south edge of town, the uncompahgre plateau known for pinyonjuniper landscape and the book cliffs range on the northern edge of the grand valley. The elevations listed above are a little deceiving.
1599 1091 20 85 682 1436 959 1058 21 578 273 682 244 506 130 448 1066 1263 412 565 714 1204 917 694 1288 369 921 388 446 295 1233 902 1410 1569 429 1140 1167 202 1435 431 582 20 837 872 1453 1424 1190 1353 988 1038