Dominguez Canyon Wilderness

Dominguez Canyon Wilderness is a protected area of red sandstone canyons, cascading waterfalls, and desert terrain spread across several counties. The landscape contains two major canyon systems cut deep into rock, with varying elevations that create different habitats and plant communities throughout.

Congress established this protected wilderness in 2009, making it the largest undeveloped Bureau of Land Management territory of its kind in Colorado. This designation recognized the need to keep the landscape intact and free from roads.

Native American petroglyphs mark the canyon walls and reflect the long presence of Ute peoples in this land. Visitors walking through the canyons today can still see these ancient marks left by those who knew these places well.

The area has marked trails starting from different access points near Grand Junction, making it straightforward to find where to begin exploring. Visit in spring or fall for cooler weather that makes hiking more comfortable, though the site welcomes visitors year-round.

The entire area remains completely free of roads and developed infrastructure, making it one of the largest unbroken stretches of wild landscape in the region. This isolation lets visitors fully escape from modern construction and engineering.

Location: Delta County

Location: Mesa County

Location: Montrose County

Inception: 2009

Website: https://blm.gov/visit/dominguez-canyon-wilderness

GPS coordinates: 38.75000,-108.41700

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05