Campground photo 1
Campground photo 2
Campground photo 3

Places to Camp near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

957 Reviews

Surrounded by a steep gorge lies Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, near the small city of Montrose, NV. RVers and campers will want to stop and stock up on supplies before heading toward the campgrounds by the Gunnison River. Offering some of the best camping in Nevada, campers can wander the trails catching stunning views of the striated Painted Wall cliff. Some of the wildlife you can expect to see include deer, elk, mule, and majestic golden eagles. Pitch a tent at one of the campsites by the river for a day of fishing or get a group together and stay in a cabin.

Best Camping Sites Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO (244)

  1. Camper-submitted photo from South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

    1.

    South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

    59 Reviews
    231 Photos
    239 Saves
    Montrose, Colorado

    Overview

    A camping trip to the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park makes for a beautiful getaway for sightseeing, stargazing, and hiking. The park protects the most dramatic section of the Gunnison River Canyon; no other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths of Black Canyon.

    Recreation

    Take one of many spectacular hiking trails such as the Oak Flat Loop Trail and watch for birds like the black-billed magpie. In summer, catch an evening educational program in the campground amphitheater.______ Winter activities include snowshoeing on Rim Rock Trail or go cross country skiing on South Rim Drive (South Rim Campground is first-come, first-served in winter).

    Facilities

    Campsites are open year round, but drinking water is only available mid-May through mid-October. Electric hookups are in Loop B and available year around.

    Natural Features

    Perched on the South Rim of the Black Canyon, this campground is surrounded by scrub oak forests and sits atop ancient hard rocks. Deer, grouse, bears, and bobcats are known to frequent the area.

    Nearby Attractions

    Visit the Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route. Head upstream to Curecanti National Recreation Area to enjoy water recreation on Colorado's largest reservoir.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group

    $34 / night

  2. Camper-submitted photo from Black Canyon Dispersed Camping
  3. Camper-submitted photo from North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

    3.

    North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

    18 Reviews
    58 Photos
    397 Saves
    Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

    The North Rim campground is remote and has just 13 sites dispersed among pinyon and juniper trees. It is first-come, first-served all season. The last 7 miles of the North Rim Road and the campground road are unpaved. Services are limited. To protect vegetation and forest resources, please use designated tent pads and do not tie, hang, or attach anything to trees. This campground fills quickly during the summer, especially on weekends. Maximum combined length of RV, car and/or trailer is 22 feet.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
  4. Camper-submitted photo from Elk Ridge Campground — Ridgway State Park

    4.

    Elk Ridge Campground — Ridgway State Park

    27 Reviews
    77 Photos
    242 Saves
    Ridgway, Colorado

    This is the most popular campground at Ridgway, located on the top of a mesa covered in Pinyon pine and juniper trees. Offering campsites 80-187, it is also part of the Dutch Charlie area of the park. RV campsites have electric hookups and shared water and there are 10 walk-in tent sites. The dump station is located down the hill at the entrance to the Dakota Terraces Campground.

    All campgrounds offer: Restrooms; also, during the high season, showers, laundromat (coin operated), snack machines and a change machine in a Camper Services Building A playground Additional restrooms Hiking and biking trails

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
  5. Camper-submitted photo from Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park

    5.

    Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park

    12 Reviews
    53 Photos
    60 Saves
    Crawford, Colorado
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • RVs

    $15 - $32 / night

  6. Camper-submitted photo from Elk Creek Campground

    6.

    Elk Creek Campground

    28 Reviews
    72 Photos
    254 Saves
    Powderhorn, Colorado

    Overview

    Elk Creek Campground is on the north shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir. The lake is Colorado's largest body of water with 96 miles of shoreline and the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the United States. Elk Creek Campground is located off of US HWY 50 -15 miles west of Gunnison Co. at Mile Marker 142. The campground is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, which was named after a Ute Indian chief of the mid-19th century.__ The Elk Creek area is a hub for water based activities year round.

    Recreation

    Anglers delight in catching salmon and rainbow trout, while water sports fans find excitement in windsurfing and water skiing. Swimming is permitted throughout the 20-mile long reservoir and birders can find bald eagles here year round.

    Facilities

    Campfire programs are in full swing during the summer months. Cell phone service is limited. Electric hookups are in Loop D for both 30 and 50 amps.__ Elk Creek, Lake Fork and Iola boat ramps are OPEN for the season.__

    Natural Features

    At an altitude of 7,540 feet, Elk Creek is surrounded by a vast expanse of sagebrush. Trees are minimal because the reservoir gets less than 12 inches of rain a year. Curecanti National Recreation Area is sandwiched between the towns of Montrose and Gunnison, Colorado. It spans three reservoirs, named for corresponding dams on the Gunnison River. These include the Crystal Reservoir, Morrow Point Reservoir and Blue Mesa.

    Nearby Attractions

    Visit the Cimarron Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route.

    Charges & Cancellations

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $34 / night

  7. Camper-submitted photo from East Portal Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

    7.

    East Portal Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

    9 Reviews
    45 Photos
    273 Saves
    Montrose, Colorado

    Overview

    The East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The campground is located at the bottom of the canyon, along the Gunnison River. It is a small campground of 15 sites (10 are tent-only), shaded by box elder trees. East Portal is closed in winter, when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road. Elevation: 6526 feet (1990 m). NOTE: Black Canyon of the Gunnison charges a $30 per vehicle entrance fee which you will pay upon arrival (or purchase in advance ). The park also honors interagency passes for entry (e.g., senior, access, Golden Age, 4th grade, etc.).__

    Facilities

    East Portal is a small campground of 15 sites (10 are walk-in tent-only; 5 are vehicle accessible), shaded by box elder trees. Seasonal potable water access and trash collection. Food storage in bear boxes is required. Each campsite has a fire pit, grill and picnic tables. The campground has vault toilets only.

    Natural Features

    East Portal offers plentiful shade and nearby access to the Gunnison River. Spectacular views of Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Curecanti are abundant.

    • Fires
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Cabins
    • Standard (Tent/RV)

    $20 / night

  8. Camper-submitted photo from Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground — Ridgway State Park
  9. Camper-submitted photo from Dakota Terraces Campground — Ridgway State Park
  10. Camper-submitted photo from Ouray KOA

    10.

    Ouray KOA

    23 Reviews
    88 Photos
    107 Saves
    Ouray, Colorado

    Situated on several acres of beautiful landscape, the Ouray KOA Holiday offers several amenities such as a hot tub, pet walk, onsite restaurant, gem mining, and playground. With spacious RV sites, deluxe cabins, camping cabins, and a variety of tent sites, you can pick the pace of your travel. We offer an experience for every kind of camper, whether you're traveling with kids, pets, or friends, book your getaway today!

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

Popular Camping Styles near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Pet-friendly camping near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Recent Reviews In Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

957 Reviews of 244 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Campgrounds