Gunnison National Forest holds Deer Lakes campground above Lake City, Colorado, a small Forest Service site that recently underwent a full reconstruction, with new roads, camp pads, toilets, and dumpsters installed as of recent seasons. The campground has 12 sites total. Some are tucked under tree cover with shade, while others sit more open with direct sightlines toward the small Deer Lakes themselves. A camp host is on-site, and reviewers consistently single out the host's attentiveness as a reason the facilities stay in notably clean condition.
Wildlife sightings are a recurring theme across nearly every review. Moose and deer appear regularly around the lakes, and one reviewer noted seeing them "almost every day" during a week-long stay. The lakes support fishing, and short trails branch out from the campground for those who want to move through the surrounding terrain on foot. Anglers and hikers will find the site's layout well-suited to both activities without requiring a long drive to reach either. Campers planning a broader trip can also explore camping near Lake City to compare options in the area. Nearby sites like Slumgullion and Upper Mill Creek provide alternatives along the same corridor.
No pets are permitted. T-Mobile users should expect no cell signal. Fees run $18 per night, with a $9 senior rate, and the season runs May through September. Drinking water is listed as an amenity, though at least one recent reviewer reported none available during their visit, so arriving with a full supply is a practical precaution.
Description
Overview
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsDeer Lakes is located in Colorado near Lake City
Coordinates
38.019534 N
107.188073 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 16 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 4 hrs 12 min from Pueblo, CO
- 4 hrs 33 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 5 hrs 25 min from Farmington, NM
