It felt like a 5-minute drive from here to Black Canyon - it's so close to the entrance. I met some wonderful people also camping here who had a long trailer (there are a few spots for bigger trailers to stay) and we had a good time in this great spot. I will be returning here next time I come to the area!
Great location outside of Black Canyon NP. There were a few other people camping at this location but plenty of space to still have some solitude.
This spot is really nice. A few campsites right at the front for those with low clearance. If your car is capable to go further down the road, then the views are chefs kiss
5 min drive from the entrance of black canyon, you don’t need high clearance for the first few sites but you do for the ones further back that look nicer. Great signal, hardly any traffic noise.
Stayed two nights in this spot. Very close proximity to Black Canyon NP. My Subaru Crosstrek didn’t have any issues making it up the hill to some of the back sites, but I wouldn’t try it in a sedan. It was dry when I was there, but I imagine the road becomes impassable when wet.
You can access the first few sites with a car, after that you need a SUV or 4x4. It was dead when we came. Only complaint would be people leaving toilet paper around the sites instead of packing out or burying waste
I stayed in the park my first night and I am mad I wasted the money. The dispersed sites here are great. Some of the roads to go deeper into the camping area are more suited for trucks or off-road capable cars.
I didn't make it very far. When you pull in the main road to the right of the sign is pretty torn up and unusable when wet. Look for the roadway second path that parallel the main road, this appeared more solid. I didn't risk it with my sedan since it was wet and just took one of the first spots.
I will say, the first few stops have more trash than most dispersed campgrounds I have been to. There was also human waste on the ground at an adjacent spot.
I am sure if you can go deeper, it is better.
Great spot. Didn’t say pet friendly on the reviews but my dog and I found a nice little secluded campsite off to the right and down a less jagged road. Be careful. I wouldn’t try to go too deep looking for a campsite during wet season or if you’ve got a low hanging vehicle without 4WD.
First time user of the Dyrt - we used someone’s recommendation for C77 Rd and we’re SO glad we did. We explored the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP (amazing!) but the North Rim Campground didn’t do much for us. Instead we drove a couple miles out of the park on the Black Canyon Road and turned onto C77. The road was a little rough with dispersed campsites right off the main road. If you follow any of the spur roads out onto the plateau there are more options for dispersed camping with fire pits. We drove down a few Spurs and settled on one with a couple scrub oaks for shade and beautiful views of the mountains. 10/10 would recommend if you do not need facilities.
This was my first time using Dyrt and accessing BLM/public land. The campgrounds at Black Canyon OTG were packed and hotels in the area were outrageously priced (2-star hotel for $200). I got in at around 7/8pm. I slept in my car and enjoyed it! You can totally car/tent camp or RV it; whatever. Just respect the land. The roads further in are "fun". My stock-wheeled SUV did ok on them but if you have a trailer, it might be hard to turn around. If you're low-to-the-ground car, don't bother going back there. All-terrainers will be fine. Some sites look like they're made for one, but you can probably squeeze in 2 or 3 for anyone traveling as a group. Megafauna: I saw deer on my way out. I was fearful of bears but the natl park literature I got later didn't list them. So you're probably good. Obviously, no toilets except at the park.
Verizon LTE unstable 1-2 bars. So close to the park that you can get there early and beat the crowds.
Arrived Sunday at 1 PM, two tents. The rest was empty. Cell service (Verizon) was 1-2 bars with LTE. 20 tv channels. Area was tight lost a weboost antenna up the hill. Close the the Park, plenty shade in spots, sunny in others. Over all, pretty good spot.
We had hopes of camping at the north rim camping area, but they were all taken and crowded when we arrived. Thankfully a note on the Ranger station told us about the various BLM spots nearby, as we had zero signal and our downloaded maps were not as helpful as we’d have hoped. We camped a few miles down one of the service roads with our closest neighbors about a mile away. Breathtaking views of the mountains and wide open skies, and great access to the park early the next morning.
We arrived around 6pm on Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend and there were still plenty of spots. There's cacti so be careful and you definitely need an AWD with high clearing. Rocky terrain. It's late May and at night the temps go down to the 40s so pack accordingly.
We got a permit and hiked down Werner trail to hit the river. It is a rocky and hard to find trail to the river. The views are incredible but it is really not a place to mess around. Bring EXTRA water, technu, and light gear in a stable backpack.
The hike down is rocky and you will need to be on steady feet.
Along the river there is a lot of poison oak so bring technu to wash yourself off.
There is beautiful fishing on the river but not exactly “floating” water.
It is quiet down there and very secluded but you really have to have experience to do this trip.
Miles of FS roads right off the main park entry road, 347, before you reach the park entrance. Roads are pretty rough, but pick a site not too far along if you have a trailer. I would not suggest trying to drive your class C or A in here-go into the park and pay for a spot. Check conditions-muddy or snowy would definitely make access tough. I went to watch the Leonids meteor shower (sad showing) and found a great spot open to the sky. Plenty of spots with shade as well. Endless hiking along the roads.
Please leave your site cleaner than you found it.
Great views of the West Elk mountains and plenty of spots spread out nicely. Not much shade, but some nice camping in the Pinions at the end of the roads off of C77 Rd. Very quiet and dark! We stayed two nights. Some campers come in later and leave early.
Great location in being right off the road leading into Black Canyon (where campsites are usually fully reserved). The dirt road is rough, so you’ll want 4WD and good clearance or it’ll be a bad time. Lots of dispersed sites scattered throughout - we found an open one over Labor Day weekend arriving at night, so it’s likely rarely full. At our site, it was tough to find any flat ground for a tent, and there were lots of cacti to watch out for, but other sites already taken looked incredible (with views out over the valley).
BLM land just outside the south (main) entrance to Black Canyon National Park. Road can be rough, especially slippery mud after rain. Many dispersed sites with cleared space and fire rings along the road, which goes for miles. Reserved campsites within the National Park can be difficult to get ... there's no shortage of sites here, just outside. There's a small store at the junction of the Park access road with US 50, selling firewood, ice, and necessities. Montrose is a short 15 miles away for more substantial needs (gasoline, repairs, shopping).
These backcountry sites are a challenge to get to but they are definitely worth it when you get there. You pick your site basically wherever you want and anywhere you go you will be able to hear and see the river.
About 10 spots off the main road in to Black Canyon.
