Western Slope

Ruby-Horsethief: a calm Colorado River float that needs a camping permit

Water and land Mesa County Grand Junction river rafting permits

West of Grand Junction, the Colorado River slows into the red-rock canyons of Ruby and Horsethief. Launching near Loma, it is mostly gentle water, which makes it a favorite multi-day float for families and first-time paddlers.

Gentle does not mean unmanaged. The BLM Grand Junction Field Office runs this stretch, and overnight camping requires a permit that you reserve ahead of time, year-round. Campsites are limited along the canyon, so the permit system keeps the trip from being overrun. There are group-size limits too, and those limits count people and dogs together. Day use is handled differently from overnight trips.

Why this matters: people sometimes arrive expecting to just put in and camp wherever. Without a reserved site, you can be turned away or left with nowhere legal to stop. Planning ahead is the whole game here. Even on calm water, bring sun protection, plenty of water, and a plan for changing river levels.

The BLM’s official Ruby-Horsethief permit page is the place to confirm current reservation rules, fees, and group limits.

Sources

Official or primary sources used for this note. Local details can change, so confirm before acting.

Reviewed: June 11, 2026 Bureau of Land Management

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