The Uncompahgre River runs through Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground at Ridgway State Park, and the water shapes nearly every aspect of camping here. Situated downstream from Ridgway Reservoir, the campground spans multiple loops with options ranging from full-hookup RV sites to walk-in tent pads elevated above the canyon floor. Loop H, the walk-in tent section, sits uphill from the river and requires hauling gear via wheelbarrow carts provided at the parking area. Some sites in that loop involve a noticeable climb. Reserving a site also reserves a parking spot, which matters given that non-camping anglers use the same river access.
Fishing draws consistent attention from reviewers. The river section through the campground is managed as catch-and-release by Trout Unlimited, and rangers actively enforce that regulation. Nearby stocked ponds give younger anglers a better shot at keeping fish within the standard quota, and a well-equipped fish cleaning station sits adjacent to the bathrooms. Zachary K. notes the ponds are "heavily stocked with hungry rainbow trout," making the area a workable spot to introduce kids to the full process of fishing, cleaning, and cooking. Bear activity has been documented in the area, and rangers advise storing not just food but cooking clothes in the bear cabinets provided at each site.
Facilities across the campground hold up well under use. Showers, restrooms, and laundry are consistently described as clean and well maintained. Firewood and ice are available for purchase on-site. Sites highway-adjacent to the main road pick up road noise around the clock, so campers sensitive to that should request interior sites when reserving. The H Loop - Walk-In Tent Sites Pa-Co-Chu-Puk and Ridgway State Park - Elk Ridge Campground provide additional options within the same park system for different camping styles.
The campground runs mid-May through mid-September. Colorado State Parks charges a $10 per vehicle per day fee on top of the site rate, payable on arrival rather than during online booking. The town of Ridgway is roughly ten minutes away for resupply, and Ouray is about 25 minutes south. Campers planning day trips should note that Black Canyon of the Gunnison is within an hour's drive. Pa-Co-Chu-Puk works best for anglers, paddlers, and families who want developed amenities alongside direct river access, and who don't mind doing some homework on site selection before they arrive.
Description
Handicap sites #44HD, 46HD, 105HD, 107HD, 211HD, 230HD, 280HD and 281HD are only reservable through the call center. These sites require a handicap sticker, plate or placard. Reservations: 1-800-244-5613.
Yurt reservations accepted year round within established reservation windows. For reservation information about all other campsites visit the Ridgway State Park website at www.parks.state.co.us/ridgway/. Fabulous boating, fishing, and camping in gorgeous southwest Colorado are just the beginning of your visit to Ridgway State Park. One of the state's true destination parks, Ridgway offers Colorado's great outdoors in view of the towering Sneffels Range. Located 12 miles north of Ouray, Ridgway State Park's sandy swim beach and beach house make it a top choice for water-sports enthusiasts. Boating, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming are some of the offerings at the park. There are 283 campsites and three Yurts spread among three picturesque campgrounds accommodating trailers, campers, motor homes and tents. For current conditions and more information, please visit the Ridgway website: http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/ridgway
NO-SHOW Policy
If you do not arrive to the park within 24 hours of your scheduled check in time and do not notify the park that you will be arriving late, your site may be resold and may not be available when you arrive. The fees for any nights passed are non-refundable.
Changes and Cancellations
- Cancellations or changes may be made online 24 hours a day 7 days a week, or through the Aspira Call Center at 1-800-244-5613.
- Reservations where one or more dates fall outside of the 6-month booking window are frozen for 14 days.
- Cancellations:
- If the cancellation is made 28 days or more prior to the arrival date, 25% of the fee for 1 night or day-use permit will be retained
- If the cancellation is made 8-27 days prior to the arrival date, 50% of the fee for 1 night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If the cancellation is made 7 days or less prior to the arrival date, 100% of the fee for 1 night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If a reservation is cancelled at any time after the arrival date, any nights prior to the cancellation are NON-REFUNDABLE
- Changes:
- If a change in the reservation is made 28 days or more prior to the arrival date, 10% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If a change in the reservation is made 8-27 days prior to the arrival date, 15% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If a change in the reservation is made 7 days or less prior to arrival, 20% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If the change in the reservation dates is made between the day after the arrival date and the departure date, the fees for any nights or days passed are NON-REFUNDABLE.
- There is no additional fee to add days to a reservation.
- The reservation holder is responsible for any difference in use fees.
- Customers who wish to receive a refund outside of these rules will need to contact the park at which they have the reservation directly.
- No exceptions to the refund policy will be given for bugs, bad weather, campfire bans, water conditions (including water levels, boat ramp or swim beach closures, and algae)!
- If the original reservation was made directly with the park, any refunds resulting from changes/cancellations will be issued via personal check and may take up to 90 days from the date of the change/cancellation to be processed.
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Colorado weather can be unpredictable: be prepared for a variety of weather conditions including extreme hot and cold temperatures, wind, rain, and snow (even in the summer). CPW does not grant exceptions to the refund policy for weather conditions.
Please use www.cpwshop.com to make, cancel, or change reservations or make any license, pass, or retail purchases. ReserveAmerica.com has limited functionality for CPW customers. **No-show policy:** If you are unable to occupy your site on the first day of your reservation, please call the park office in order to notify park staff. Otherwise, your reservation will be considered a "no-show" and your site may be resold. "No-show" reservations are ineligible for a refund for those nights or days passed and the fees for any nights or days passed will be retained.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsPa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground is located in Colorado near Ridgway
Directions
Pa Co Chu Puk Campground: 19 miles south of Montrose on Hwy 550, take first park entrance, below the dam. Dutch Charlie Area: 22 miles south of Montrose, take second entrance into park, first right leads to Dakota Terraces Campground, first left leads to Elk Ridge Campground.
Address
28555 Highway 550
Ridgway, CO 81432
Coordinates
38.24516348 N
107.75957982 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 37 usersLast on 7/30/26- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 17 usersLast on 7/30/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 37 usersLast on 7/30/26
- AT&TLTEGood CoverageVerified by 17 usersLast on 7/30/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 22 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 2 hrs 50 min from Farmington, NM
- 4 hrs 17 min from Pueblo, CO
- 4 hrs 38 min from Colorado Springs, CO
