Gothic Campground, near Crested Butte, Colorado, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. With its stunning mountain views and serene atmosphere, it’s a prime location for tent and RV camping, though you won’t find any electric hookups or showers here.

The campground is known for its clean facilities and well-maintained restrooms, making it a comfortable choice for campers. Visitors have mentioned that the sites are spaced out, providing a sense of privacy, even though they can be close together at times. As one camper noted, “The drive through was a little narrow in spots, but overall very manageable.”

For adventure seekers, Gothic Campground is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and offers access to numerous hiking trails. The area is perfect for exploring, with nearby attractions like Paradise Divide and Emerald Lake. Just be prepared for some rugged roads; a 4WD vehicle is recommended for those looking to venture deeper into the wilderness.

While the campground can get busy during peak times, the peaceful nights and stunning starry skies make it worth the trip. If you’re after a quiet escape with plenty of natural beauty, Gothic Campground is definitely a spot to consider.

## 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.

Gothic — Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre And Gunnison National Forest

Near Crested Butte, CO, and surrounded by the Rocky Mountains are some of the best camping and skiing opportunities in the state. The Colorado Rockies are crisscrossed with mountain bike and ski trails campers can enjoy throughout the year. Campgrounds in the area put you close to wilderness areas where you can spot deer, bears and other wildlife. In the fall, campsites alight with colorful foliage on the quaking aspen trees. RV drivers can stock up on supplies at the shops on Elk Avenue before heading out along the West Elk Loop Scenic and Historic Byway for a beautiful drive.

Crested Butte

The Best Camping Near Crested Butte, Colorado

only 4 sites I think.  if you get a spot, you’re super lucky as there is no dispersed camping allowed in Gothic valley during peak summer months.  if you camp in the site when you first come in, you have a great view of Avery peak.  close to a lot of hikes, ie rustler gulch, Judd Falls, emerald lake, schofield Pass, town of gothic.  awesome little campground 


small campground 

This is a small campground up a dirt road above Crested Butte. The whole area is closed to camping usually until mid June or July. It is also blessed with more wildflowers, mountain views, and perfect trails than you can imagine. If it's full drive up to Washington gulch for dispersed camping of equal beauty.

Limited space and closed before July but heavenly spot to wake up

I love this area of crested butte. Gothic road is home to some 4x4 drives and of course great hiking and scenic spots. We spent a few nights here, the spots are spaced out and quiet. This is dispersed camping, I did not see any vault toilets close by but did see on further down the road. No fire rings or tables, but plenty of trees for cover or room to set up a canopy. Some spots for larger Trucks or RV's were available on a first come first served. Not far from the spots you will find the nature center that will offer restrooms as well and a few things to purchase if necessary.

I recommend a drive to emerald lake when your there. We did experience some crazy storms while we were there, apparently the lighting is worse there because of the amount of iron n the mountains.

Great spot outside of town

This has to be one of the more scenic camp spots in Colorado. Located above tree line, spots are dispersed and spread out all around the valley. If you are looking for a spot deep in the wilderness, no where near town, you found it. The roads leading out to here are not for the faint of heart and should not be attempted in anything smaller than an SUV. We saw multiple cars with flats on the way up and down. 

  

That being said, Paradise Divide is truly beautiful and this is a great area to spend a few nights. Go during a new moon and you will see the sky like you never have before. Like a mentioned before, these are dispersed with no facilities or amenities. Site are spread out, FF/FS and are not marked. Each spot ranges in size. Pack it in, Pack it out. 

  

During the holidays this area can get very busy and spots will go really quick. 4th of July weekend was packed up here.

Out there

Hard to get to the area, cold at night (year round) and very far from town. Those are good things for this kind of camping. This is for tents, 4WD trucks and for only the smallest trailers (little teardrops with a good clearance). You are pretty close to tree-line here. Just a stunning view and the quietest, coolest nights you can get. 

  

Only downside is on a Saturday morning a couple of trailers filled with OHVs and dirt bikes with out-of-state plates (you can guess which one) arrived and started ripping up the land before a few people addressed them and asked them to stop tearing up the tundra filled with beautiful wildflowers. Folks, treat this land with respect. Leave no trace.

Perhaps the best place I have ever camped

This is the only option off of gothic rd in the summer. The drive through was a little narrow in spots, but overall very manageable. Toilets were clean and information was helpful.

Beautiful

Gothic Campground is a spot where reservations/fees are needed. However, along this whole road are a variety of dispersed sites as well, all the way to paradise basin, which is quite the 4x4 road and loops around to Pittsburg/Musicians Camp and back into Crested Butte. Great scenery, can be quite cold. Great sites all along, it’ll be an adventure if you go for dispersed.

Lots of confusion here… read on 

Nice camping spot near crested butte. Campgrounds are pretty close together so not a lot of privacy. I stayed in site 3 which is just the right size if you’re car camping. There were just 2/5 sites left on a Thursday night. Bathroom is clean. Most of the sites had little fire rings - just don’t forget to drown your fire. No service for AT&amp;T

Nice little spot 

Checked out the lower sites of Gothic on a Tuesday afternoon.  The first group of sites has a restroom and they are situated in the trees sort of on a hillside.  All were occupied except for one site that just looked to difficult to get our 19' AWD van down into and then it really looked like positioning and leveling the van would be an issue.  Also no solar due to being in the trees.  These sites at least had a vault toilet available.  Drove up to the next set of campsites - two spots were vacant here but again, we just couldn't find a spot to park the van that we were happy with (perhaps being a little picky, but wanted something where we could open our slider and set out chairs/ground mat, etc.  The two sites that were open sort of left us in very bumpy road in and just didn't work.  Drove up the road thinking to scout the next sites but turned around at the "high clearance/4x4 only" sign.  Ended up going to Slate River and grabbing a dispersed site between Oh Be Joyful and the large Musicians site.  Worked good for the van.

Photos of Gothic — Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre And Gunnison National Forest

Real photos from real campers