Fruita Dugway

About

The Fruita Dugway is a 2-mile hiking trail in Fruita, Colorado, connecting Kodels Canyon to the Black Ridge Trail. Classified as difficult, the route climbs approximately 1,026 feet from an elevation of roughly 5,036 to 6,062 feet. Hikers typically complete the point-to-point trek in about one hour. The trail surface is dirt and remains largely unmaintained, featuring rocky terrain with steep dropoffs. Access begins at the Kodels Canyon trailhead, located in a pullout along Highway 340 across from Dinosaur Hill. From there, hikers follow the K1 trail for 0.5 miles to reach the Dugway junction. The path ascends the north side of the Colorado National Monument, crossing over 1.5 miles of monument land while starting and ending on BLM property. Historical records indicate the road was built in 1907 to haul pipe for a water line connecting Fruita Reservoirs to the town. The trailhead offers parking, and the route is accessible year-round.