Primitive camping near Cedaredge, Colorado extends beyond Grand Mesa's high elevation sites to include river corridors and canyon environments. The area transitions through multiple climate zones, with lower elevation sites providing extended seasons for camping when mountain locations remain snowbound. Summer temperatures can vary by 15-20 degrees between canyon floor campsites and higher mesa locations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Near Overland Reservoir, campers can catch rainbow and brook trout. "Stocked reservoir with rainbow and brook trout. Smaller fish but fun fishing," reports one visitor who recommends bringing bug spray for the mosquitoes.
Wildlife watching: The drive to higher elevation camps provides wildlife viewing opportunities. At Overland Reservoir, campers report "lots of deer & some elk on the drive up." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife sightings.
Night sky viewing: The lower elevation dispersed sites in Escalante Canyon offer minimal light pollution. One camper at Escalante Canyon Road Dispersed mentioned "awesome night sky" views, while noting that during daytime, "it's a little hot because it's not shaded."
What campers like
Lakeside access: Cotton Wood Lakes provides multiple water access points. "It is really pretty and close to Grand Junction. The misquote r pretty bad also, tons of spots, if there aren't a ton of people. Lots of lakes though and great fishing!" notes one camper who visited Cotton Wood Lake #3.
High elevation cooling: The mesa top locations offer relief from summer heat. At Grand Mesa Colorado FSR 100, campers enjoy sites at approximately "10,700 feet elevation" where "the lake is stream fed and looks like good trout fishing."
Riverside camping: The Gunnison River corridor offers water proximity with developed amenities. A camper at Gunnison Gorge National Conservation noted "dirt road is long and occasionally bumpy" but the campground at the end has "toilets, fire pits with grills and picnic tables with roof to keep rain out."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to primitive camping varies significantly by site. "Very rough road" reports are common for mesa access, while canyon roads present different challenges. At Black Canyon Dispersed Camping, "some of the roads were really rutted out" and a camper warned that "we were lucky and everything was dry so we were able to get thru in my forester."
Weather patterns: The canyon areas experience significant wind, especially before storms. At Gunnison Gorge, "the wind was pretty intense when the skies got grey but we managed to set up camp," while Escalante Canyon campers should "be prepared for strong winds coming though the canyon in May time."
Livestock encounters: Free-range cattle roam throughout most dispersed camping areas. At Lands End Camp, visitors noted there are "only 2 spots out here at lands end that are actually on the edge of the mesa" with "no tree cover out on the edge of the mesa."
Tips for camping with families
Terrain awareness: Canyon environments present unique safety concerns. At Escalante Canyon Road, a visitor warned about "hidden vicious cacti" where they "were afraid of letting the dogs out."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes are prevalent near water sources throughout the area. At Gunnison Gorge National Conservation, a camper emphasized, "be prepared with all your tricks for mosquitos because they were everywhere."
Site selection strategy: Arrive early for optimal camping spots, especially at popular locations. At Cotton Wood Lakes, a camper reported "it was extremely busy (we had a rig pull up right next us at 1 am because there werent any spots)."
Tips from RVers
Size-appropriate site selection: Escalante Canyon offers better access for larger rigs. "Good views and flat spots. Got my 24ft rig in easily, had to go slow in a few spots," notes a camper at Escalante Canyon Road Dispersed.
Turning radius considerations: Mesa forest roads often lack suitable turnaround areas for large trailers. In some areas, campers reported having to drive several miles to find adequate space to turn around.
Level site availability: Most dispersed areas have limited naturally level sites. At Gunnison Gorge, a visitor explained it's a "small spot, probably only room for 4-5 cars max and only 2-3 of them will be able to be on level ground."
