McInnis Canyons Day Trips: Loma Launch, Ruby-Horsethief, and Trail Etiquette
McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area starts just west of Fruita and runs toward the Utah line. It is BLM land with red rock canyons, desert trails, and the Ruby-Horsethief stretch of the Colorado River. Most people from Grand Junction visit for a day: a hike, a scenic overlook, a few casts near Loma. This guide is about doing that well.
The river: day use and the 25-mile question
BLM describes Ruby-Horsethief as a 25-mile stretch of the Colorado River from Loma, Colorado, to Westwater, Utah, mostly flat water with some Class I and II rapids. BLM says no permit is needed for day use, but overnight camping permits are required year-round and must be reserved ahead.
Here is the part that matters for a day trip: BLM says there are no other take-outs until Westwater, cell service is spotty to nonexistent, and rescues are long and cumbersome. If you launch at Loma, you are committing to the whole run. For a true day trip, most people fish from shore near the launch or stay on the trails.
The Loma Boat Launch
The Loma launch is a CPW State Wildlife Area. CPW says everyone 16 and older needs a valid hunting or fishing license or an SWA pass, and parking and access are allowed only in designated areas. CPW also notes that most river bottom property along the Colorado River is privately owned. Stay on public ground.
Desert etiquette
- Stay on routes and trails. Desert soils and plants recover slowly.
- Give wildlife space. BLM lists bald eagles, peregrine falcons, desert bighorn sheep, and more along the river, and says people must stay at least half a mile from eagle nests.
- Pack it out. Line, bait containers, and trash all leave with you.
- Dogs on control and away from wildlife.
- Share the launch. Rig away from the ramp and move fast when someone is waiting.
A simple half day plan
Start early at the Loma launch area with your license or SWA pass, fish the public water near the launch for a couple of hours, then move to a BLM trail or overlook before the heat builds. Keep the river and the hike as separate parts of the day, and be back at the truck with plenty of water left.
Safety
- Heat and little shade. BLM says summer days can be very hot with little shade along the river. Bring more water than you think.
- Fast weather. BLM describes spring swings from heat to snow to high wind, and short, violent summer storms. Check the NWS Grand Junction forecast.
- Flows. BLM recommends checking streamflow before any float and gives cfs guidance for canoes and family rafts on its permit page.
- Tell someone. Leave your plan and return time with someone at home.
Verify regs
Read the BLM Ruby-Horsethief page and the BLM McInnis Canyons page for current rules, and the CPW Loma Boat Launch page for SWA requirements. For fishing rules, check CPW Fishing and the current CPW Fishing Brochure.
Shop related
A hat and a full tumbler are the two things we never leave behind in the desert. Our trucker hat and VCO Tumbler are in our merch shop. The spin rod is a waitlist. Nothing to pay today on the spin rod.
Plan with Trip Builder
Use Trip Builder to plan the day, and read our Loma put-in notes and public access guide before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit for a day trip on Ruby-Horsethief?
BLM says a permit is not required for day use in Ruby-Horsethief. Overnight camping permits are required year-round.
Where is the take-out after Loma?
BLM says there are no other take-outs until Westwater, Utah, about 25 miles downstream of Loma.