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Map showing campground location near Gypsum, Colorado
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Lyons Gulch Campground & River Access

6 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management within the campsites near BLM Land — Colorado River Valley Field Office, Lyons Gulch Campground & River Access sits directly along the Colorado River and draws a steady mix of rafters, kayakers, and tent campers looking to base themselves on the water. The site is free, which factors heavily into its appeal. A small walk-in area holds roughly five or six individual campsites, most with picnic tables, and the farthest is only about 30 feet from the parking pulloff. A separate level area along the road accommodates RVs, though those vehicles are not permitted in the main parking spots.

River activity runs high here, even on weekdays. Train tracks run along the opposite bank, and traffic noise is part of the experience. Sites sit on sand close to the water, which means wind can pick up, so tent campers should come prepared to stake down. There is no shade at some sites, making midday heat a real factor in summer. Cell coverage is limited or absent depending on your carrier.

A vault toilet is on-site and has generally been reported as clean and stocked. Bears have been spotted in the area, a likely result of food waste left behind by previous visitors, so proper food storage is essential. "Only a few sites and each offers great seclusion right along the river," notes Isabelle K. Nearby, Colorado River Road Dispersed near Lyons Gulch (BLM) provides additional dispersed options for those who arrive and find the sites taken. Lyons Gulch works best for paddlers and river-focused campers who can travel light and don't mind a no-frills setup.

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Map & DirectionsLyons Gulch Campground & River Access is located in Colorado near Gypsum

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Take the Dotsero exit off I-70 (exit 133). Head north on the Colorado River Road. Lyons Gulch Recreation Site is 3.8 miles up on the right.

Coordinates

39.69857475 N
107.0724508 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
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    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Lyons Gulch Campground & River Access

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4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the secluded riverside location and clean facilities as major draws. Some feedback indicated cleanliness issues from previous visitors, but the peaceful setting and free access make it a popular river basecamp.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 28, 2025

Beautiful but busy

There's a great pull off area that is pretty level. We stayed one night in our RV. There was some pretty heavy traffic and train tracks on the other side of the river. This area stays pretty busy with rafting and kayaking even during the week. There is a little parking area closer to the river and walk-in camp spots for tents. It's not a far walk. There are vault toilets. We played in the water in the late afternoon and it was great.

Siteroadside
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Oct. 22, 2023

AWESOME

Beautiful spot! Right on the river, BATHROOM (which was clean). Would come here again! Arrived at 9pm, a couple spots left in October.

Site3
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed May. 18, 2023

Perfect

This site is awesome. Private campsites, around 5-6, probably could find a few more if you searched. Right next to the river, beautiful and peaceful little area. There is a pit toilet that is well kept, plenty of toilet paper and very clean for a pit toilet. There’s a boat ramp, not that we have a boat, but it would be a great spot to go canoeing or rafting. The sites are all walk-in, you don’t have to walk very far probably the farthest is like 30 feet. Most sites have picnic tables as well. We spotted an RV using a site along the road, so RVs can park on the road it seems, but not in the normal parking spots. This place was fantastic and gets 5 stars because it’s free!!!

Site1
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Lyons Gulch Campground & River Access by Ben R., May 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Lyons Gulch Campground & River Access by Ben R., May 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Lyons Gulch Campground & River Access by Ben R., May 18, 2023
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jul. 10, 2020

A decent option

I was excited to find this free site so close to Glenwood (30 minute drive). We arrived on a Thursday afternoon and all the sites were taken up, except for one really nice and open one we took. There was no shade at our site, so it would be unbearable to stay there during the day. Our site was on sand, right next to the water so it was very windy and we had to tie our tent down to the shrubs surrounding our tent (so be prepared.) The view was stunning, BUT the site was soooooo dirty. It was depressing to see toilet paper everywhere (there is a bathroom at this site!) and trash all over. Please clean up after yourselves ♥️. My husband and I had no cell service and we are on two different carriers (sprint+T-Mobile) which is something to consider. I woke up at 6:30AM and just outside of our tent there was a black bear in our campsite watching us. It was a really cool experience but the bears are definitely coming for all the food trash left behind. STORE your food- keep yourself and the bears safe. Pretty buggy, but no mosquitoes.

Reviewed Jun. 15, 2020

Beautiful and private

Super nice location right on the river. We picked this one because it was almost exactly in between Glenwood Springs and Eagle to explore both. Just 10 minutes off I-25, but you don't hear any traffic. Only complaint is that they allow cows to graze there and there are cow pies all over. And not many places to hang a hammock!

Site1
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Lyons Gulch Campground & River Access by Kate R., June 15, 2020
  • Review photo of Lyons Gulch Campground & River Access by Kate R., June 15, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 22, 2019

Great spot on the river

Camped here after a day floating along the Colorado River. Awesome views and really nice campsites. Only a few sites and each offers great seclusion right along the river. It was so nice to jump in the water in the morning! We were surprised to find most sites open even getting there on a Sunday afternoon. Will definitely come back and stay for a weekend next time. Super basecamp location for enjoying a weekend on the river.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Lyons Gulch Campground?

Lyons Gulch Campground offers several well-maintained facilities. There's a clean pit toilet with adequate supplies. The campground features 5-6 secluded campsites situated right along the Colorado River. A boat ramp is available for water access. The sites themselves vary in terms of shade, with some open areas that can get hot during summer days. The campground's riverside location provides beautiful views and the opportunity to swim in the river. Note that cattle occasionally graze in the area.

Is dispersed camping allowed at Lyons Gulch near Gypsum, Colorado?

Yes, Lyons Gulch offers free dispersed camping near Gypsum. The area has approximately 5-6 designated campsites along the Colorado River, though you may find additional spots if you explore further. The campground provides a more organized dispersed camping experience with some basic amenities like a pit toilet. Sites tend to fill up, especially on weekends, so arriving early is recommended. This location offers a great free camping option that's conveniently located between Gypsum and Glenwood Springs.

Where is Lyons Gulch Campground located in Colorado?

Lyons Gulch Campground & River Access is located along the Colorado River between Gypsum and Glenwood Springs. It's approximately 10 minutes off Interstate 25 and about a 30-minute drive from Glenwood Springs. The campground sits in a convenient location that allows easy access to both Eagle and Glenwood Springs areas, making it an excellent base for exploring both regions while enjoying a riverside camping experience.

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