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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
