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Fruita

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Overview

Fruita, CO has emerged in recent years as a sweet alternative to Moab, UT for those traveling from Colorado's front range. The shorter drive times and wide variety of trail options makes it a great family spot.

Check out the town's newly revamped website gofruita.com for an overview of all the recreation opportunities in the area.

Local Info

In the Kokopelli Trail area, check out the incredible intro trail, Rustler's Loop. Or, head out to 18 road for a ton of great short options like 18 Road Trails - Zippity Loop, or Chutes & Ladders.

Camping & Lodging

Highline Lake State Park is a fantastic spot for families, and provides easy access to the Kokopelli Trail, and a lake to play in.

There's also plenty of camping near the 18 road trail system. The official campsite has 35 sites with fire rings, and requires a $10 fee. Check out the local BLM website for more info.

Camping is also allowed along the undeveloped BLM lands in this area. You'll see spots along the dirt road past the 18 road trailhead.

If you prefer beds to thermarests, there are several inexpensive hotel options just south of I-70. Two hotels that seem to be friendly to outdoor folks are:
La Quinta Fruita and Super 8 Fruita. Or, if you'd rather stay in a home than a motel/hotel, be sure to check out Fruita CrashPad's VRBO listings.

Food & Drink

Hot Tomato Cafe - the best pizza and beer for many miles, and in our professional opinion, the best food option in Fruita. But beware - it's usually PACKED during prime time!

For coffee, check out Aspen Street Coffee Company on E Aspen Ave (Main Street), just off the circle in town. People rave about the Mike's Mocha there.

Camilla's Kaffe (206 E Aspen Ave) generally get's a nod for basic burgers and Mexican.

Suds Brothers Brewery could be a good option for fresh beer and general pub fare, although it wasn't memorable when we tried it.

If Hot Tomato is too crowded, hop over to Copper Club. They're a craft brewer, and they seem to have adopted the bike theme. Additionally, you can just order some Hot Tomato pizza and have it delivered to Copper Club!

Gems in Fruita - 1

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gem Favorite Mid January at 1am

Rattlesnake Arch

(6) Loma, CO

Recommended Routes in Fruita - 11

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Favorite Looking downstream at the Colorado River.
Easy

Rustler's Loop

3.7 mi 6.0 km 387' Up 118.04 m Up 425' Down 129.69 m Down

Loma, CO
Favorite First views of the Colorado River running Joufla's Loop clockwise
Intermediate

Jouflas Loop

7.8 mi 12.6 km 644' Up 196.26 m Up 641' Down 195.49 m Down

Loma, CO
Favorite Cedar arch (or First Arch). The scramble goes up the middle.
Difficult

Rattlesnake Arches and Pollock Bench

16.4 mi 26.4 km 2,587' Up 788.61 m Up 2,588' Down 788.68 m Down

Fruita, CO
Favorite Running back at sunset with Phantom Spire in the distance.
Intermediate/Difficult

The Cabin Loop

6.9 mi 11.1 km 798' Up 243.3 m Up 794' Down 241.91 m Down

Fruita, CO
Favorite Overlooking Castle Valley, UT
Intermediate

Desert RATS Kokopelli 150

143.4 mi 230.8 km 15,016' Up 4577 m Up 15,507' Down 4726.67 m Down

Loma, CO
Favorite Excellent scenery for breaktime!
Intermediate

Flume Canyon Trail (F1)

4.8 mi 7.7 km 504' Up 153.6 m Up 504' Down 153.48 m Down

Fruita, CO
Favorite The Colorado River winds its way through the desert sandstone.
Intermediate

Rabbit’s Ear

6.1 mi 9.8 km 792' Up 241.34 m Up 792' Down 241.47 m Down

Loma, CO
Favorite Overlooking Castle Valley, UT
Difficult

Kokopelli Trail

139.3 mi 224.1 km 14,234' Up 4338.65 m Up 14,706' Down 4482.51 m Down

Loma, CO
Favorite Overlooking the Colorado River
Intermediate/Difficult

Desert Rats 50K/Marathon

31.2 mi 50.3 km 4,268' Up 1300.78 m Up 4,264' Down 1299.68 m Down

Loma, CO
Favorite View of Western Zippety facing south towards Fruita. Zippety ridge runs parallel on the left.
Intermediate

Fruita Trail Half

12.0 mi 19.3 km 1,111' Up 338.6 m Up 1,118' Down 340.7 m Down

Fruita, CO
Favorite Overlooking the Colorado River
Intermediate/Difficult

Desert RATS 50K

32.1 mi 51.6 km 4,472' Up 1363.18 m Up 4,471' Down 1362.84 m Down

Loma, CO

Fruita Running

  • 185 Miles 298 Kilometers of Trail
  • 11 Recommended Routes
  • 1 Gem Gems
  • 8 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 38 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 18 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Areas Within Fruita

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Trails in Fruita - 53

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10.3 mi 16.6 km #1Sarlacc Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Fruita, CO
Intermediate/Difficult
Fruita, CO
5.1 mi 8.2 km #2P1 - Pollock Bench Trail
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
6.1 mi 9.9 km #3Rattlesnake Canyon Arches Trail - R1
Difficult
Loma, CO
Difficult
Loma, CO
4.9 mi 7.8 km #4D3 - Devils Canyon Loop
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
3.4 mi 5.4 km #5D1 - Devils Canyon
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
2.4 mi 3.8 km #6D4 - Devils Canyon
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
2.2 mi 3.5 km #7K1 - Kodel's Canyon Area
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
1.6 mi 2.5 km #8Upper Rattlesnake Arches Trail
Intermediate
Loma, CO
Intermediate
Loma, CO
2.0 mi 3.2 km #9Fruita Dugway
Difficult
Fruita, CO
Difficult
Fruita, CO
2.2 mi 3.5 km #10Devils Canyon D5 Trail
Intermediate
Fruita, CO
Intermediate
Fruita, CO

Photos of Fruita - 64

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Running back at sunset with Phantom Spire in the distance.
Jul 17, 2015 near Fruita, CO
Rattlesnake Arch
Nov 1, 2015 near Loma, CO
Cedar arch (or First Arch). The scramble goes up the middle.
Nov 1, 2015 near Loma, CO
Span from above
Nov 20, 2015 near Loma, CO
Beautiful desert running over the Colorado River on Horsethief Bench. Photo: Michelle Smith. Runner: Jordan Fields
May 2, 2016 near Loma, CO
D3 in the snow.
Dec 29, 2020 near Fruita, CO
Overlooking the Colorado River
Sep 2, 2021 near Loma, CO
Mid January at 1am
May 21, 2023 near Loma, CO