Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern
RV Guide
Introduction
Looking for an RV getaway destination away from the crowds of the nearby Navajo Lake State Park? If so, the Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern is waiting for you to enjoy. Featuring around 3,900 acres of wilderness to explore, Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern is operated by the BLM and has many interesting features for RV travelers of any age.
The area has a long history and was home to the Navajo Native Americans hundreds of years ago. There are still remnants of their time within the area. The Simon Canyon Ruin is a must-see for history buffs as it contains a 'boulder type' defensive site that is the only one existing on the north side of the San Juan River. Other interesting historical features of Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern include a petroglyph panel that is located on the road that leads to the canyon. The area is also a popular destination for fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching, so you will have plenty to do during your visit.
Most of Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern is inaccessible to RVs, but there is one camping area located near the canyon. Also used as a parking lot for day-use visitors, the camping area contains a picnic table and vault toilet for your convenience. There are no fees to use the campground so you can enjoy free dry-camping for the duration of your stay, but please note there are no water collection points so you will have to bring your own. Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern is open all year round.
RV Rentals in Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Transportation
Driving
Located on the north side of the San Juan River, Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern is an easy place to get to even for beginner RV drivers since there is one entrance that will take you directly to the camping area and main canyon. The BLM operated area is only accessible from the north side of the river via Road 4280 which is a flat road that is suitable for RVs of all shapes and sizes.
Once you reach the Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern, there will be no water collection points or camp stores, so you should stock up on any supplies you may need before your arrival. If you are traveling from the west you can stop at Bloomfield (around 22 miles away), Aztec (around 21 miles away), or Farmington (around 37 miles away), while visitors coming from the east can visit Dulce (around 63 miles away).
During bad weather, the road into the Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern is usually closed, so if you are concerned about the forecast it is best to call the Farmington Field BLM Office for an update on park conditions.
The only parking lot at the canyon is also where the camping area is located as the rest of the park is inaccessible to vehicles.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Campsites in Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Reservations camping
Navajo Lake State Park Campgrounds
If you are looking for an RV camping experience that features more amenities, you should consider heading south of the San Juan River to the Navajo Lake State Park. The park has multiple campgrounds that are perfect for those wanting to enjoy full hookup, electric, and primitive sites with a total of 90 that can be reserved in advance.
All sites at Navajo Lake State Park come with a picnic table and fire ring for you to enjoy and there are also multiple restrooms, showers, water collection points and a dump station available for your convenience.
Reservations for sites at Navajo Lake State Park are highly recommended since the campground is a popular choice for visitors to stay at all year round.
First-come first-served
Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern Campground
Located near the entrance to Simon Canyon is the free dry-camping area at the Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The camping area has no restrictions on RV size and is perfect for visitors who don't mind camping without electric, water, and sewer hookups.
The camping area also doubles as the parking lot for the Simon Canyon Area so you will be able to stay on a flat pad that won't require any leveling. The camping area does have a limited number of amenities, but there are picnic tables and vault toilets for your convenience.
There are no fees required to use the camping area at the Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and all of the sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. You shouldn't have to worry about the campground being full, but it is best to arrive early during the peak season.
Seasonal activities in Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern
In-Season
Fishing
The San Juan River is a fantastic destination for anglers, with many people visiting the area just to make use of the great river. Fishing in the river can be done from a boat or the shoreline, but since there is no boat launch at Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern, most visitors tend to throw out a line off the banks of the river.
If you are interested in some incredible trout fishing you can also head to the nearby Navajo Dam.
Boating
If you are interested in going boating on the San Juan River you will be able to do so. However, you will have to launch your boat outside of the park since there is no boat ramp here. A popular boat launch can be found within the Navajo Lake State Park that will allow you to access the massive Navajo Dam.
There are no boating restrictions on the dam so you will see many different watercraft having some fun in the sun. If you don't have your own watercraft there are also some for rent at the marina on the lake.
Swimming
If you are interested in cooling off during a hot summer day, you can head to Navajo Lake State Park and make use of one the many small beaches that are located at Navajo dam. If you need to use any amenities after you have finished swimming there are plenty to be found at the marina, including restrooms, toilets, and showers. None of the beaches have lifeguards so use caution when going for a dip.
Off-Season
Archeological Viewing
The most popular reason why visitors travel to the Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern is for the archeological sites. The Simon Canyon Ruin is a very impressive structure that gives you a glimpse into how the Navajo people used to keep watch over the land.
You can also check out the Petroglyph panel on the way into the canyon that has been kept in fantastic condition. Accessing the ruin is not recommended, and make sure to leave the Petroglyph as it is.
Hiking
Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern is perfect for hikers who are looking for some relaxed exploring during their stay. There are plenty of short trails suitable for hikers of all skill levels, and there are also plenty of opportunities to check out off-trail hiking if you don't mind roughing it.
For even more hiking trails you can head south of the San Juan River to Navajo Lake State Park. Due to the extremely hot conditions hiking is recommended during the off-season.
Wildlife Viewing
The 3,900 acres that make up Simon Canyon Area of Critical Environmental Concern is an ideal place for wildlife viewing during the colder months. Since there is limited shade in the area this is the best time to check out the creatures that call the park home. The canyon environment is home to many different species, including deer, eagles, beaver, and porcupines. For more information on the wildlife viewing opportunities within the area you can contact the BLM office.
