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Best Tent Camping near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

1,130 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.

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Best Tent Sites Near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (44)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

55 Photos of 44 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

1130 Reviews of 44 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Campgrounds

  • S
    Jun. 23, 2016

    East Portal Campground — Curecanti National Recreation Area

    Beautiful Setting

    We were thrilled to find this primitive camping area right by the river. There are fifteen spots, 7 of those have drive in access, the other 8 are a park and walk down a small embankment - but oh, what a setting - set in a grove of trees, it was beautiful. There are picnic tables, bathrooms and the roar of the river to sleep next too.

    This campground is right at the edge of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, but because you take a steep, twisty ride down to the river, the elevation went from over 9000 to under 7000, a welcome change if you aren't acclimated to the altitude. We set up our OzTent on the upper level (the drive in section) and took a walk. The historical displays are well done, be sure to visit the Visitor Center at the National Park to get the rest of the story, and regardless of your age, pick up a Junior Ranger book and earn your badge.

    We will definitely go back, just for the scenery.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2025

    Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch

    Great location!

    We stayed here for 3 nights and loved it! There is so much to do on the ranch such as swim in the pools, play games, horseback ride, etc. The bathrooms and showers were clean and nice. It’s also in a great location with proximity to black canyon of the gunnison national park, crested butte, and so many lakes. The sites all had picnic tables, fire rings, and nice landscaping. It was really enjoyable. We’re living in my camper full time right now so it was a good break from true wilderness. The only thing i would add is water fountains. but that’s it!

  • Amy S.
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Bogan Flats Campground Grp S

    Lovely campground by a rive

    Lovely quite campground in the woods next to a river. We stayed on the side away from the river and I wish we had stayed on the river side, but it was still fantastic. No cell service, pit toilets, no showers. A little far away from civilization/stores, which is exactly what we were looking for. Site 10 setup is great, park near the picnic table and fire ring, pitch tent a little further up the slope under the trees. It did get coooold during early June, bring a good sleeping bag and warm clothes!!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2025

    Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park

    Hot and no shade

    We planned on using this as our base camp while visiting the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The tent sites were small and the only trees weren’t big enough to provide shade. Everybody seemed to be here for water activities so probably good for that. But sure wasn’t what we were looking for

  • Renee W.
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park

    Peaceful Park

    Peaceful park near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Sites clean with water and electric. Nice wildlife viewing. Some bathroom stalls and a shower out of service but all building very clean and new.

  • Carol A.
    Sep. 23, 2021

    Sunshine Campground

    Pretty spot close to Telluride!

    Sunshine is a first come-first serve campground with 15 sites. There are several sites with beautiful views and full sun, but those were taken when we arrived. We stayed in site #8 which was quite lovely, tucked in the aspen trees with a picnic table and fire ring. The small pond behind our site was dried up, probably due to the ongoing drought. There is a short viewing trail just off site #9 that provided spectacular views of the mountains. We set up a couple of chairs on the trail and watched the fabulous sunset. The vault toilets were closed and the sign said they’d be closed through the ‘22 season. Portable toilets were provided in their place. The camp hosts, Don & Linda were super helpful by providing us with info about the adjacent bike trails and a short cut to get to Telluride. The campground was very quiet and while we heard some road traffic when we first arrived we never heard any during the night. I got 2 bars of AT&T cell service, enough to stream a movie on my iPad!

    Camp fees are $20/day or $10/day with a Senior America the Beautiful Pass. We’ll definitely stay at this gem again!

  • S
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Montrose / Black Canyon Nat'l Park KOA

    Nice place to stop

    We stayed here one night while visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Campground is clean, very big rig friendly. Easy to maneuver. The pool and playground were clean.

  • Glenna L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2020

    Gunnison National Forest Soap Creek Campground

    Spacious and Secluded

    We arrived at Soap Creek Campground around noon on a Friday in mid-July and found several wonderful sites to choose from. We selected site 8 as it was fairly close to the restroom, had decent shade, and large enough to accommodate our large tent and two vehicles...with room enough to spare to play washers! Vault toilets only, but they were very clean...host normally sells firewood, but they were out, however they did allow us to gather our own. No water at this time as it is spring fed and was low. Mostly surrounded by tent campers, but a few RV's made it down the narrow, windy and bumpy dirt road to the campground...but for the most part they kept their generators off (no electricity at this campground) during quiet hours. We were able to walk to the creek and what a view! Would definitely recommend and can't wait to go back!

  • Heather P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 17, 2018

    Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground — Ridgway State Park

    Great campground if you flyfish

    The walk to the river was short and there even is a parking area for those who are not camping but want to fish.

    Sites were well maintained, restroom and showers were as well.

    Picnic tables, fire ring and grill at all sites. Deer wandered around freely and was an extremely restful night.

    They offer pull in sites or walk in tent sites. I chose a pull in even though I was tent camping. Had to check out a few sites to be sure there was level/cactus free spot to pitch the tent.

Guide to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Tent camping near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities, perfect for nature enthusiasts looking to escape into the wild.

Tent campers should check out 4R Freedom Ranch Campground

  • This campground features canvas tents equipped with cots and wood stoves, making it a cozy retreat even in cooler months. You can find it at 4R Freedom Ranch Campground.
  • With amenities like drinking water, showers, and compost toilets, it provides a comfortable camping experience while still being close to nature.
  • The peaceful surroundings and breathtaking starry nights make it a favorite among campers seeking tranquility and beauty.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At Curecanti Creek - Curecanti National Recreation Area, you can enjoy kayaking, swimming, and fishing along the Gunnison River, perfect for water lovers.
  • For those who enjoy hiking, the trail to the river at Curecanti Creek offers stunning views and a rewarding descent into the canyon, making it a memorable adventure.
  • The area is also ideal for birdwatching, with diverse wildlife and beautiful scenery that will captivate nature enthusiasts.

Unique features of Hermits Rest Boat-in Campsite

  • Accessible only by a 3-mile hike, this secluded site offers a peaceful escape with only a few other campers around, ensuring a quiet experience. Discover it at Hermits Rest Boat-in Campsite.
  • The campsite includes picnic tables and fire rings, allowing for enjoyable meals and evening campfires under the stars.
  • With a clean vault toilet and beautiful reservoir views, it combines convenience with the beauty of nature, making it a well-reviewed choice for tent campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is Black Canyon with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?

TheDyrt.com has all 44 tent camping locations near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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