Looking for best camping spots Paid or Free BLM.
Thanks for information
Rich

Nice established camping areas found inside the Monument.
http://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

Also, James M. Robb State Park just outside the western (Fruita) entrance to the Monument.
http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/jamesmrobbcoloradoriver

(Both paid camping.)

I've always really enjoyed the campsites in the Monument. Scenic and generally pretty quiet. Also, really close to many of your climbing destinations. I don't know much about the BLM camping and I don't think there's anything super close. You can camp in the mountain biking area of 18 Road (up against the Bookcliffs) or in Rabbit Vally but both of those areas are 20-30 minutes away.

well i hate to give away my I-70 throwdown, but since i only make it out there a handful of times a season, and just got off a 3 day desert barage (indeed a barage for us working types), which ended with a run up sentinal spire, here it is:

(also listed in the very inconspicuous desert rock series...haha) -

I-70 to fruita, go S. towards monument, cross colo. river, turn right before the entrance to the monument (maybe .75 mile from freeway), at a residential area, with a sign to some state park...horsetheif...? -this is the access for both little bighorn spire and climbs in another canyon there...split decsion 10a). anyways, take the second dirt road to the right. it dead ends up above the river. it is not clean or pretty, but works great for a dirtbag throwdown spot. you can see I-70 and gas stations there...

have a great time...still a little cold there for shady routes, but sunny ones are prime! - free BLM...

please be respectful of landowners there, since it is only a 100 yards or so from houses.

alternatively, you can drive in the monument to glad park, and after leaving the monument boundry, camp anywhere in BLM. at some point, monument is on the right, BLM on the left....permits for camping at monument are free and can be had at the visitors center.

if you want any beta, contact me...i love the monument. so much better than the biking crowd at moab.

S

Just a little FYI, if you camp inside the Monument in their established camp sites you cannot have an open fire. Sorry

Given how nice the paid camping is, how it is so close to the climbing, and how it is not very expensive, and having done the free and paid camping both, I'd say go for the camping in the park. Waste is better managed and you will be in a semi-private area enjoying great views and probably no hoodlums, whioch may be encountered in the free areas.