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Biking
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12/18/2012 |
There is paved biking from Corn Lake to the Wildlife Area, through the City of Grand Junction as well as a trail running 1-1/2 miles east of the Corn Lake boat ramp. Fruita Section is near several great mountain bike trails including the North Fruita Desert and Kokopelli Trailhead. Fruita is growing and has many fun opportunities that are in riding distance from the Fruita Section of the park. While staying at Island Acres throw your bike in the car and ride around the Town of Palisade to the local orchards and vineyards. You can also check out the Palisade Rim Trail, a single track trail, which offers great views of the valley.
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Birding
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12/18/2012 |
The Connected Lakes section offers great birding opportunities during the fall and spring as migrating birds stop to rest. Owls have also been spotted nesting in the cottonwood trees for several years in a row. Great blue herons can be seen all along the Colorado River within all five sections of the park. Bald eagles have been seen regularly at the Fruita and Connected Lakes sections during the winter months.
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Boating
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12/18/2012 |
Hand propelled, sail and electric powered boats can be hand launched on the lakes at Island Acres, Corn Lake, Connected Lakes and Fruita. Boats are prohibited in designated swimming areas and waters within the Colorado River Wildlife Area, and the Pear Park sections of the park. River Access is from the Corn Lake, Connected Lakes and Fruita sections. Caution: boating is not permitted on the Colorado River from Island Acres because of a dangerous rollerdam downstream. Be sure to wear an appropriate size and type of life jacket for each individual while on the river or the lakes within the park.
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Camping
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4/4/2013 |
The Fruita and Island Acres campgrounds are fully open. All camp sites include picnic tables, BBQ grills and campfire rings. The reservation system for the Fruita campground is from 3/16-10/31 and the Island Acres campground is from 4/1-9/30.
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Education Programs
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12/18/2012 |
Interpretive programs are offered during the summer months on Friday evenings at 8:00 pm at the Fruita section and on Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm at the Island Acres section. Contact information: Fruita: 970-858-9188.
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Fishing
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12/18/2012 |
There are approximately 100 surface acres of water providing a variety of opportunities for anglers. The lakes at Island Acres, Corn Lake and Fruita are stocked with trout in the spring and fall. Corn Lake receives 25,000 10" rainbows during March, April and September, 125 19" rainbows in March, 5,000 3" black crappie in September, and 25 12" largemouth bass in August. Island Acres' two lakes receive more than 12,000 10" rainbows during the spring and fall. Fruita's Red Rocks Lake receive over 5,000 10" rainbow in the spring and fall months.
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Group Camping
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12/18/2012 |
The Fruita campground has one group camping area accommodating 36 individuals in 6 campers or up to 12 tents. Call the park office for reservations (970)858-9188.
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Hiking
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12/18/2012 |
There is a wonderful 3 mile long paved hiking trail that heads west from Corn Lake to the Wildlife Area as well as a 1.5 mile paved trail that heads east of the Corn Lake boat ramp. Be sure to check out the .75 mile long trail at Island Acres that follows the Colorado River. Connected Lakes has 4 miles of trails that circle around the lakes on the park, both paved and hard packed. The Fruita section has a .25 mile trail between the Colorado River and Bookcliff Lake and a trail that goes completely around Red Rocks Lake. For more information, check out the "Trails" link on the left side of James M. Robb Colorado River's main page.
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Hunting
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12/18/2012 |
Island Acres, Corn Lake, and the Wildlife Area offer hunting blinds that can be reserved during the waterfowl hunting season. Call 1-800-846-9453 to make a reservation.
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OHV Riding
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12/18/2012 |
Resident and Non-resident registrations are available at the Fruita and Corn Lake sections year round and at the Island Acres section from April through September. OHV season runs from April 1 through March 31st. Riding on the park is not allowed, but there are great places nearby on BLM property and on the Grand Mesa National Forest. You will have to trailer your OHV to the permitted areas. Call for more information.
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Picnicking
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12/18/2012 |
Picnic sites with tables and grills are available along the river or by lake shores at Connected Lakes, Corn Lake, Fruita and Island Acres. Fruita provides stunning views of the Colorado National Monument and Island Acres is nestled next to the walls of the De Beque Canyon. Potable water is usually close by. For reservations for the Group Picnic Area at Fruita, contact the park at 1-970-858-9188. For reservations for either of the two Group Picnic Areas at Island Acres, call 1-970-464-0548 from April through September and 1-970-434-3388 from October through March.
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Snowmobiling
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12/18/2012 |
Resident and Non-resident snowmobile registrations are available at the Fruita and Corn Lake sections year round and at the Island Acres section from April to September. Snowmobile season runs from October 1 through September 30th. Snowmobiling is not permitted on any of the park sections.
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Swimming
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5/16/2013 |
The Island Acres swim beach will open May 18th. The Fruita swim beach is closed indefinitely.
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Whitewater rafting
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12/18/2012 |
The boat launch at Fruita is often used by whitewater runners as there are class IV and V sections downstream through gorgeous red-rock canyons. Check with the BLM for additional information. Generally, the Colorado River has class I to class III rapids through the Grand Valley as it flows past the sections of the park.
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Winter Activities
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1/22/2013 |
Camping with reduced facilities and rates is available at Fruita and at Island Acres during the winter months. All hard surfaced trails are maintained for walkers and bicyclists. Ice fishing is popular at Fruita, Connected Lakes, Corn Lake and Island Acres.
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Winter Camping
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12/18/2012 |
The Fruita and Island Acres sections are open year round for camping. Water for full-hookup campsites and pay showers are available starting mid March at Fruita and beginning of April at Island Acres.
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