Established Camping
East Portal Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
About
National Park Service
Curecanti National Recreation Area
Overview
The East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The campground is located at the bottom of the canyon, along the Gunnison River. It is a small campground of 15 sites (10 are tent-only), shaded by box elder trees. East Portal is closed in winter, when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road. Elevation: 6526 feet (1990 m). NOTE: Black Canyon of the Gunnison charges a $30 per vehicle entrance fee which you will pay upon arrival (or purchase in advance ). The park also honors interagency passes for entry (e.g., senior, access, Golden Age, 4th grade, etc.).__
Facilities
East Portal is a small campground of 15 sites (10 are walk-in tent-only; 5 are vehicle accessible), shaded by box elder trees. Seasonal potable water access and trash collection. Food storage in bear boxes is required. Each campsite has a fire pit, grill and picnic tables. The campground has vault toilets only.
Natural Features
East Portal offers plentiful shade and nearby access to the Gunnison River. Spectacular views of Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Curecanti are abundant.
Fee Info
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
LegendNot for TT or big RVs
Well, very steep twisty road to access. CG is small and very limited for anything larger than van, trucks, tenters and small Class Cs. Signs at top note vehicles over 22ft prohibited. CG was ok but the sites are close together and no real privacy. Lower walk in sites are in the deep shade of shrubs and trees. Sites are $16/$8 senior and water is noted but I did not see a spigot. The river is green...weird
- (13) View All
GuideShade and River Access
This is a great place with only a handful of sites They are all shaded and it is really a lot to do with the river access.
GuideNeat campground!
I’ve always loved this place ever since I got to bear watch here for hours. My girlfriend and I got extremely lucky while sitting on the river. We saw 5-6 different bears come down to take a drink! They’d come down and head right back up it was incredible. Some of the sites you have to park up above and walk in but it’s not a huge deal. Some are pretty close to one another but it’s definitely worth it. It’s cool to be able to be at the bottom of the canyon all day as well.
- (11) View All
Location
East Portal Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is located in Colorado
Directions
After entering Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, turn right on East Portal Rd and follow it for 5.5 miles (8.7 km).__ NOTE: East Portal Campground is closed in winter, when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road.__
Coordinates
38.52706 N
107.649484 W