The Cedaredge area provides diverse camping options across the Grand Mesa and surrounding public lands. Tent and RV camping is available at established sites like Little Bear Campground, situated at Island Lake with about 34 sites, and Ward Lake Campground, which sits at approximately 10,000 feet elevation. Dispersed camping opportunities exist along the Gunnison River at Cottonwood Grove Campground and at dispersed sites within the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with Little Bear typically open from May to September and Ward Lake available from May to October. The region's campground density increases near water features, with several options situated directly along lakeshores or riverbanks.
Road conditions to many campgrounds require careful navigation, particularly in the Gunnison River area where narrow, exposed dirt roads can become hazardous when wet. Campgrounds on Grand Mesa generally have better access but still require driving on forest roads. Most established campgrounds provide vault toilets and drinking water, while dispersed areas typically offer minimal facilities. Summer temperatures remain moderate due to the higher elevations, but visitors should prepare for significant temperature drops at night, even during peak season. Wind can be intense near the water, especially during storm systems. A visitor noted, "The road getting there is rough and can be dangerous, especially after dark. It's a longer drive down the dirt road than I expected, so if you come, keep going."
Campgrounds near water receive consistently positive reviews, with Island Lake and Little Bear providing direct lake access. At Cottonwood Grove, campers appreciate the riverside location with fishing opportunities and hiking trails. Several sites feature concrete picnic tables and fire pits, with some including shelters for weather protection. The higher elevation campgrounds offer a cool retreat during summer months when lower elevations become hot. Privacy between campsites varies considerably between locations. One camper reported, "We ended up driving all the way to the end of the road and back up to the beginning of the sites for the best views. The fishing wasn't ideal from the shore but we had a fantastic view of the sunrise and sunset." Wildlife viewing opportunities include bats at dusk along the river, and fishing is a popular activity throughout the region with several accessible fishing platforms available.
"The drive in is a little rough. The road is narrow and it drops off in places but the views are spectacular. It follows the Gunnison River and once the view opens up, it really is magnificent."
"This campground is a gem as other reviewers have cited, BUT the road in is dangerous when wet as there is a lot of exposure off the edge. An AWD would be ok but still dicey on the downhills."
$20 - $34 / night
"The South Rim Campground is similar to other national park campground in that it provides convenient access to park activities and trails, but it stands apart due to the fact that the camping fees are"
"Most of the outer sites are tucked into the forest so there is a decent level of privacy. Lots of deer frequent the area, we saw several on each trip."
"You can camp at a designated campground right on the lake, or you drive up 24 and find a lot of dispersed camping available - all the way up to the little lakes (great for fishing too)."
"While it's easy in the Chaffee County and Arkansas River area to get your dosage of mountain beauty and river time, Twin Lake gives you the opportunity to combine STELLAR mountain views and the calm of"
"We went searching for a free camping spot near Gunnison and got horribly stuck in mud on roads that were too awful for our car, even with 4wheel drive."
"I pulled up early on a Friday morning and managed to snag a spot pretty close to the lake. Fantastic view and right next to the walking trails."
"Campground Review: We stayed at Ward Lake on Colorado's Grand Mesa. Ward Lake sits at about 10,000 feet. So, depending on time of year, it can get a little chilly."
"A very nice camp ground for tent campers, very few people, beautiful scenes and within a very short distance of good hiking."
"Great location right next to the park! There are plenty of sites and the views are beautiful. Entrance was slightly rutted so make sure you can off-road just a bit!"
"A few minutes outside the south gate of the park. Multiple sites, most of which are on dirt. Paths to and from can be a bit rough for most passenger vehicles. But it’s quite and close to the park."
"Hiking trails nearby. Multiple campgrounds along the road but the road is bumpy and one way so occasionally someone has to pull over to let others pass."
"It's one car width and has some drop offs next to it but people were driving RVs on the road. Managed it fine in a Honda HR-V. Might be tough if it's muddy."
$26 - $72 / night
"They’re positioned a little close together for my liking but, the immediate access to two beautiful lakes, endless hiking and mountain biking trails more than made up for the close proximity to other campers"
"This is a beautiful small hosted Forest Service campground just off Colorado Hwy 65 (Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway) in the Grand Mesa National Forest https://bit.ly/3iywM8z."
$26 - $190 / night
"Located adjacent to Island Lake, this campground is beautiful, but watch out for the mosquitos! We took a non electric pull-through as a stopover for the night. Our 35 ft 5th wheel fit easily. "
"The campground is tucked away and a little hard to find. We chose it because it had electric hookup, had availability on Labor Day weekend and it was near a lake. We were on site #2."
"The campground is situated below the road keeping road noise low. The entrance is at a busy location on the highway and steep so take care while entering."
"Pretty campground with grass at the sites, a river a short walk away (there's a good portion of the campground with riverside sites, but limited for larger rigs)."
ScoutThe camp ground is right in town pretty much, but it’s not too loud and it’s on the end of town so you can barely realize. I brought my new pop up here for the first use as a test run.
GuideLevel, well maintained, quite with short hikes, fishing, swimming, and picnic area.
GuideThis is a good camping area if you don’t mind very small spaces to park.
TravelerStayed 2 nights in early April and honestly… this place feels like another planet in the best way.
The drive in was easy and completely manageable — no stress, no white-knuckle sections — which made it perfect for getting the kids out there without worrying about access. Once you arrive, the views are immediately breathtaking. Red rock cliffs, layered canyon walls, and wide open desert landscapes in every direction. It really does feel other-worldly.
The best part for us was the exploring right from camp. No need to load up the car — we just stepped out and wandered. Tons of kid-friendly hiking, scrambling, and climbing on soft sandstone hills and boulders. The terrain is adventurous without being sketchy, so the kids could roam, climb, and slide while we relaxed nearby. It’s basically a natural playground.
We also loved how quiet and spread out everything felt. Plenty of space to pick a scenic spot and enjoy the solitude.
Only con: It’s the desert… so yeah — sand and red dirt everywhere. Shoes, tent, kids, food — all instantly dusty. But honestly, that’s part of the experience and we knew exactly what we were signing up for.
Overall: Easy access + unreal scenery + perfect kid-friendly exploring right from camp = absolutely worth it. We’ll definitely be back.
GuideTwo night, full hookups, new facility, and friendly staff. What more do you need and all at an avg night stay of $50 plus change.
GuideIt's gorgeous up here! I camped at the first spot in the turnout to avoid mud. After a walk I found more sites that were down the right hand road that I could have gotten to with my low clearance vehicle. There were old beer cans and trash that I picked up along the way. Some defunct fire pits and some used ones. Pretty busy but everyone was polite and quiet!
TravelerCamp host was very helpful. Running water and clean bathrooms
GuideThis campground is clean, and well maintained. Concrete parking pads at all sites, and covered picnic tables. Showers are hot and free. Laundry is $3 for the washers and $2 for the dryers, quarters only. Bathrooms very clean and well kept.
Overall this is a great spot to stay a night or two right near the city of Fruita. Not the most scenic and nature-y destination, but it’s nice in its own way. They have a nice little lake with a walking trail around it as well.
Good T-Mobile signal, 2-4 bars of 5G.
TravelerWe stayed in the Elk Ridge campground. The showers there were out of service so we came down to this loop.
Both areas have nice large sites. Elk Ridge is more wooded and my preference.
Camping spots near Cedaredge, Colorado sit at approximately 10,000 feet elevation across Grand Mesa, the world's largest flattop mountain. The area contains over 300 lakes and reservoirs within a 20-mile radius, creating numerous lakeside camping options. Summer daytime temperatures typically range from 65-75°F, but can drop below 40°F at night even in July.
Shoreline fishing access: Island Lake Campground offers direct lake access for anglers. "We ended up driving all the way to the end of the road and back up to the beginning of the sites for the best views. The fishing wasn't ideal from the shore but we had a fantastic view of the sunrise and sunset," reports one camper at Gunnison Gorge.
Paddleboarding on mesa lakes: Bring your own equipment to explore the calm waters. "I pulled my 35 ft 5th wheel fit easily. Located adjacent to Island Lake, this campground is beautiful, but watch out for the mosquitos!" advises a visitor to Island Lake Campground.
Wildlife observation: Dawn and dusk provide optimal viewing times. "At night we watched the bats swooping around and it's a great place to star gaze!" notes a visitor to Cottonwood Grove. Another camper at Gunnison Gorge added, "We managed to set up camp. Again, and this is an all of Colorado thing but be prepared with all your tricks for mosquitos because they were everywhere."
Privacy between sites: Little Bear Campground offers more secluded sites. "I pulled up early on a Friday morning and managed to snag a spot pretty close to the lake. Fantastic view and right next to the walking trails. The camp sights are spaced out enough but there isn't a much for privacy," notes one visitor.
Night sky viewing: The high elevation and minimal light pollution create excellent stargazing conditions. "High (8,200) and deep—dramatic landscape carved by Gunnison River. Wonderful hiking trail along the rim and interesting plant community of the high plateau. Absence of light pollution means awesome night skies!" reports a visitor to South Rim Campground.
Accessibility to multiple lakes: The mesa's numerous lakes are often within walking distance of each other. "This is a nice out of the way place to stay, be aware the road getting here is not for big campers, higher clearance is needed, I've camped here or in the area since i was a small child," advises a camper at Cottonwood Grove.
Road conditions vary significantly: Black Canyon Dispersed Camping requires careful navigation. "Some of the roads were really rutted out, but we were lucky and everything was dry so we were able to get thru in my forester. Beautiful views, quiet and secluded. We did find a few deer legs left behind, so keep an eye out for Mountain Lion," warns one camper.
Extreme weather swings: Prepare for rapid temperature and weather changes. "Be prepared for any type of weather. We had a wild thunder, lightning and wind storm with violent downdrafts—typical for this country," reports a South Rim visitor.
Insect activity: Mosquitoes can be intense, especially near water. "The bugs are intense during the warmer months," notes a camper at Little Bear Campground. Another visitor to Island Lake adds, "The campground is beautiful, but watch out for the mosquitos! We had to grab the mosquito repellent before we were even done levelling and setting up because they were absolutely unreal."
Opt for established sites with amenities: Jumbo Campground provides reliable facilities. "Near multiple fishing lakes, hiking trails and just down the road from a national recreation trail. Quiet and very clean. Love the walk up tent sites up on the hill. Gives opportunity to site on the hillside for breakfast while watching the fishing in the lake," shares one visitor.
Select campgrounds with easy water access: Children enjoy shoreline activities. "We stayed 2 nights in a huge site with a big tree in the middle right on the river. Farther down there are a bunch of sites together with a bathroom. The river is mostly shallow on the campground side and perfect for cooling off," notes a Cottonwood Grove camper.
Pack extra layers: Night temperatures drop substantially even in summer. "The weather in the canyon at the end of June is hot during the day and comfortable at night," advises another Cottonwood Grove visitor.
Leveling challenges: Ward Lake Campground requires careful site selection. "This CG has two sections. The upper part is old school FS, narrow roads, small sites, lots of trees...not a good place for larger TYs or RVs. The lower section is much better for larger RVs and TT, lower cg area has less shade but closer to Ward lake," explains one visitor.
Solar considerations: Many sites have heavy tree cover. "We chose site #2. It was one of the few almost level sites. Almost all sites have a parking pad and a picnic pad above or below the parking and shade. There is no cell service," reports an Island Lake camper.
Limited hookup options: Most campgrounds offer minimal services. "This is a true gem. I imagine it gets busy in the summer. There are six campsites total in the designated campground. The drive in is a little rough. The road is narrow and it drops off in places but the views are spectacular," notes a Cottonwood Grove visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Cedaredge, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, Cedaredge, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 210 campgrounds and RV parks near Cedaredge, CO and 49 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Cedaredge, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cedaredge, CO is BLM Cottonwood Grove Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 11 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cedaredge, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 49 free dispersed camping spots near Cedaredge, CO.
What parks are near Cedaredge, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Cedaredge, CO that allow camping, notably Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.
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