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Established Camping

Mill Creek

Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective 7/2/25 : Campfires are allowed at designated sites using installed metal fire rings. Gas stoves are allowed. Smoking is allowed only in developed areas, in vehicles, or at areas surrounded by 3' of bare ground. Fireworks, exploding targets or other incendiary devices are always prohibited on public land.

Alert: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in effect Friday Aug. 15th until rescinded

  • NO campfires or charcoal grills (gas stoves OK)
  • NO smoking except inside a vehicle/building
  • NO fireworks or explosives
  • NO welding or open flames
  • Chainsaws need spark arrestors and require an extinguisher & shovel Violations = fines + fire costs| BLM SW CO Information Hotline: 970-240-1070

Mill Creek, near Lake City, Colorado, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without breaking the bank. With sites that are clean and well-kept, it’s a great place to set up camp, especially if you enjoy the sound of a nearby creek and the sight of towering pine trees.

This campground is perfect for families and pet owners, as many visitors have noted the fun their kids and dogs had splashing around in the creek. The vault toilets are impressively clean, and while there are no showers or electric hookups, the simplicity adds to the charm of the experience. One camper mentioned, “The kids had fun playing in the water, as did the dogs,” highlighting the family-friendly vibe here.

For those who love adventure, Mill Creek is a gateway to the Alpine Loop, offering access to ATV trails, fishing, and hiking. The peaceful setting provides a nice balance of solitude and accessibility, making it easy to unwind after a day of exploring. Just keep in mind that it can fill up quickly, so arriving early is a smart move. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Mill Creek offers a refreshing escape into the great outdoors.

Description

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Land — Gunnison Field Office

Overview

Mill Creek Campground is located 14 miles southwest of Lake City, Colorado at 9,500 feet above sea level. Nestled along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, the campground offers a fishing access trail for anglers and river access (though boating is not recommended from this location). The campground is surrounded by the Redcloud Peak and Handies Peak Wilderness Study Areas with world class hiking opportunities just a short drive away, including trails to three 14,000-foot peaks. From the campground, licensed OHV's and high clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicles can access the legendary Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway; a rugged 65 mile road system that connects the towns of Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray through the spectacular mountain scenery of the San Juan Mountains. The campground is accessible June through September.

Recreation

Mill Creek Campground is an ideal base camp for exploring the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway and the majestic San Juan Mountains. Whether you like to ride an off-highway vehicle, fly fish the Lake Fork, learn about the area's hardrock mining history, or challenge yourself to hike one of the 14,000-foot peaks, this area has something for everyone. There are also opportunities for viewing wildlife, seasonal wildflowers, and fishing the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River or nearby Lake San Cristobal.

Facilities

Mill Creek Campground has 22 campsites suitable for tent camping and medium sized RV's. Each campsite is limited to eight people and two vehicles. Each campsite features a metal fire ring with a cooking grate, a picnic table, and a bear-proof food storage box. Mill Creek Campground has vault restrooms, hand pumps for potable water, and bear-proof trash dumpsters on site. No electric or hookups are available at Mill Creek Campground. Campground hosts are available from June through early September.

Natural Features

Mill Creek offers shaded campsites among a mixed spruce/fir and aspen forest with magnificent mountain views of some of the highest peaks in Colorado and the sounds of the nearby Mill Creek and the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River.

Nearby Attractions

Enjoy Lake City, nestled in the valley of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and Henson Creek, not only for shopping but to take in the impressive Hinsdale County Museum that celebrates the residents of past and present and tells of the rich railway history of the rail line that went to Lake City from 1889 to 1933. A variety of tours are also available including learning about the momental volcano that formed Lake City. Lake City also is a Gateway Community for hiking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) that traverses 800 miles of majestic and challenging peaks dotted with abandoned homesteads, ghost towns, and remnants of Native Americans and settlers who flocked here to mine gold and silver. Other shorter hikes from town can lead to some wonderful waterfalls. Discover Lake San Cristobal, the second largest natural lake in Colorado that was formed by the Slumgullion Earthflow that slid 700 years ago, damming the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. The lake offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities including boating and fishing and much more.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (970) 642-4940.

Charges & Cancellations

Notify the BLM Gunnison Field Office if you will miss your 24-hour reservation check-in. Call (970) 642-4940, MondayFriday, 8:00 AM4:30 PM.No Call, No Show reservations will be released for First-come, First-Serve after the 24-hour check-in window has passed.Reservations cannot be modified less than 72 hours prior to reservation start date. Only 2 modifications can be made to a 180-day advanced reservations sites.Reservation cancellations occurring less than 72 hours prior to reservation start date are subject to 50% refund fee.

Fee Info

At Mill Creek Campground thirteen sites are RESERVABLE up to 180-days in advance during peak season, Memorial Day through September 30th. The remaining nine sites are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED with camp fee paid on site with cash or check. Sites cost $20 per night. Please pay with cash or check in the fee envelope at the campground for FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED sites.

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Location

Mill Creek is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Lake Highway, take highway 149 south for about 2 miles. Turn right onto County Road 30 and continue for about 10.5 miles. Mill Creek Campground is on the left, over the bridge.

Coordinates

37.90726 N
107.39283 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
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Connectivity

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    Verizon
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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 20, 2025

Great Basecamp for 14ers

I stayed here for two nights in July while bagging Sunshine, Redcloud, and Handies. Very nice, quiet campground.

It’s $20 a night & many sites are reservable but a few are first come first serve. I reserved a Wednesday night and rolled over into a second day FCFS.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Mill Creek by Ryan L., August 20, 2025
  • Review photo of Mill Creek by Ryan L., August 20, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2025

Alpine access with amenities

This campground has a combination of reservable and first come first serve sites. Most of the sites are quite nice and can accommodate med to large rigs. There are pit toilets, fire pits, and freshwater hand pump stations. It is located away from Lake City that it feels quiet and ties neatly into local 4x4 roads and mountain passes.

SiteSite 12
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Mill Creek by Stephen K., August 6, 2025
  • Review photo of Mill Creek by Stephen K., August 6, 2025
  • Review photo of Mill Creek by Stephen K., August 6, 2025
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2022

Great location and price

We had originally planned to disperse camp so we could ride our atvs on the Alpine Loop, but realized we couldn’t pull our trailer after a certain point going up the mountain so decided to turn around and for only $7 a night decided to stay here. We are so glad we did! We stayed June 16 - 21st and only half the spots were full. We did read prices would go up to $20 a night starting July 1st. The location of this campground was great for riding the Alpine loop and still a short drive to town. We saw Moose and Elk. The pump water wasn’t the cleanest but we only used it to boil and then wash dishes and such. Vault toilets were the cleanest we had ever seen. We loved having a spot next to the creek so our dogs could swim and drink. Although cold, the kids loved playing in the creek with their rain boots on. Check out @boldtexplorations on tiktok and Instagram for more videos and photos of our adventure

Site15
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Mill Creek by Boldt E., June 24, 2022
  • Review photo of Mill Creek by Boldt E., June 24, 2022
  • Review photo of Mill Creek by Boldt E., June 24, 2022
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Sep. 24, 2021

Peaceful In gorgeous setting

Nestled in pine trees alongside the lake fork of the Gunnison river. Most sites have tons of privacy. All have picnic tables and bear boxes. First-come first-serve. Very clean vault toilet restrooms. Camped here solo and felt very safe. Great access to fishing, hiking, and ATV trails.

Site20
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2021

Too noisy

Beautiful and well kept campground but noisy as it’s off a major 4x4 road. Sites pretty close together and fills up quickly. $7 a night

Site21
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jan. 19, 2021

Off the beaten path solitude

Spent seven days here as a base for bagging fourteeners, 4 wheelin', and just chilling.  Super clean campground, clean vault toilets,

Site12
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2018

Nice!

The river is great for cooling off but very cold!

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Mill Creek by Kristen M., August 1, 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mill Creek have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Mill Creek does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Mill Creek?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is some coverage for AT&T, no coverage for T-Mobile, and no coverage for Verizon.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Mill Creek?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Mill Creek. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Mill Creek, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Mill Creek?

There are 22 campsites at Mill Creek and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts