Westwater Group Site (Ranger Station)

4.3·3 reviews
·Westwater Canyon River

Overview

Welcome to the wild and remote canyons and rivers of Eastern Utah. The Westwater Group Site is located next to the Westwater Ranger Station; the take-out for the Ruby-Horsethief and put-in for the Westwater Canyon sections of the Colorado River.

Great Facilities and Amenities

  • Campfire Allowed

    (All campsites have Campfire Allowed)

  • Checkin Time

    (All campsites have Checkin Time)

  • Checkout Time

    (All campsites have Checkout Time)

  • Firepit

    (All campsites have Firepit)

  • Max Num Of People

    (Up to 20)

  • Max Num Of Vehicles

    (Up to 10)

  • Pets Allowed

    (All campsites have Pets Allowed)

  • Picnic Table

    (All campsites have Picnic Table)

  • Site Access

    (All campsites have Site Acceses)

Natural Features

Westwater Group Site picnic tables underneath shade shelter and tent camping area. - Credits: BLM Moab
Westwater Group Site picnic tables underneath shade shelter and sign. - Credits: BLM Moab
Westwater Group Site picnic tables underneath shade shelter. - Credits: BLM Moab
Westwater Group Site shade shelter and picnic tables. - Credits: BLM Moab

The site is adjacent to the Colorado River as it meanders through a valley. Views of Navajo Sandstone walls surrounding the valley can be seen from the site. 

Recreation

Westwater Group Site picnic tables underneath shade shelter. - Credits: BLM Moab

The Colorado River is known for extraordinary boating trips including the Ruby-Horsethief section up-river of Westwater Canyon and the Cataract Canyon and Grand Canyon sections downstream.    

The Ruby-Horsethief section of the Colorado River, from Loma, Colorado, to Westwater, Utah, is a 25-mile stretch of mostly flat-water with sections of Class I and II rapids. This section of the Colorado runs through beautiful red rock canyons and has many day hiking opportunities offering both solitude and exploration. 

Westwater Canyon offers boating excitement for experienced adventurers to test their skills navigating 11 named rapids ranging in difficulty from class I to class IV. While boating down the canyon, the area offers views of incredible geology and day hiking with glimpses of abandoned settler cabins and caves. Approximately 10,000 people float this section of the Colorado River each year. The 17-mile stretch is surrounded by the Westwater Wilderness Study Area.  

North of the site are many motorized and non-motorized trails. These trails include Kokopelli’s Trail , one of Colorado's and Utah's premiere mountain bike trails. It stretches 140 miles from Loma, CO to Moab, UT with elevations that rise to 8,400 feet and consists of four-wheel-drive roads and single-track trails.  

Permitted Equipment

  • rv-Up to 25ft

  • boat-Up to 25ft

  • tent-N/A

  • trailer-Up to 25ft

  • vehicle-Up to 25ft

  • 5th wheel-Up to 25ft

  • camper van-Up to 25ft

  • pickup camper-Up to 25ft

  • pop up camper-Up to 15ft

Nearby Attractions

The town of Moab, UT, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park are located approximately 70 miles to the southwest. The cities of Grand Junction and Fruita, CO along with McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/colorado/mcinnis-canyons) and Colorado National Monument are located approximately 35 miles to the east.

Additional Information

Campsites