Best Equestrian Camping near Curecanti National Recreation Area

Hartman’s is MASSIVE and has tons of sites! It’s all dispersed camping. There are smaller more remote sites, big sites, as well as areas where there are a few sites in clusters. There are shady areas, non-shady areas, spots with views, and more hidden spots. There really is something for everyone. I live here in Gunnison, and it’s a great last minute spot if you want to get out for the night. There are no water sources, as the area is just rocks and dirt. There are many different ways to explore the array of trails, so you can bike, take a four-wheeler, horse-back ride, hike, or just drive your car. There are about 3 toilets (nothing fancy). It’s an overall great area if you don’t want to get too far out of town!

Beautiful area around Silver Jack Reservoir with scrub brush low turning to pine forest and huge aspen glades as you climb. Highly suggest taking 858/Cimarron road over the pass to highway 50/Cimarron Colorado in the fall due to the extensive Aspen population. This is where I grew up so camped in the area dozens of times at least.

Lost Lake Campground near Crested Butte, Colorado, is a hidden gem that combines serene alpine beauty with a peaceful camping experience. Tucked away in the Gunnison National Forest, this campground offers stunning views of wildflower-filled meadows, dense forests, and the pristine Lost Lake itself, which mirrors the surrounding peaks.

The campsites are well-maintained, spacious, and thoughtfully spaced for privacy, with some offering lakefront views. There’s a charming rustic vibe, with basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables, but no hookups. The nearby trails, including the popular Three Lakes Loop, are perfect for hiking, fishing, and soaking in the mountain scenery.

What sets Lost Lake apart is its tranquil atmosphere—especially if you’re visiting during the off-season. It’s the ideal spot to disconnect and enjoy Colorado’s natural beauty, whether you’re kayaking on the lake or simply relaxing by the campfire.

Be aware that the road to the campground is a bit rough and narrow, so it’s best suited for smaller campers or tents. Also, temperatures can drop quickly at night, so pack warm gear even in summer.

If you’re looking for a quiet retreat near Crested Butte with postcard-worthy scenery, Lost Lake Campground is hard to beat. It’s the perfect blend of solitude, recreation, and breathtaking views.

This is a beautiful campground for those who like quiet and isolation..It is approximately 40 minutes west of Gunnison, CO. There are no reservations and no hook ups. There are vault toilets. What draws us to this campground is the beauty of the surrounding area. Black Canyon is close by for those who like to hike. We enjoy riding our ATV and have found some beautiful trails full of wildflowers and wildlife. It is also close enough to take day visits to Montrose or Crested Butte. Oh, and if you like star gazing this is the perfect place as their is no light pollution.

Nice place to camp. Clean vault toilets, small campground, with limited space for large campers. If you’re an off grid type camper this will feel like the Hilton. Road in is long and a bit too rough for some RV’s. Camp hosts Wade and Tammy were so awesome. They give all campers a briefing on the rules and try by all means to save people money on fines that Park Rangers will no doubt issue of the rules are not followed. If you come to party and be rowdy, this isn’t the place for you. If you want good family time, and a chill environment, welcome, you’ve found a good spot.

We stayed in a tent on a Saturday in August with no reservation.  The camp host was amazing, helped us find a shady spot for our tents and hammocks.  The host showed us a great hike behind campsite along a small river.  Kids and dog enjoyed the river and it’s hidden swimming holes!  

Bathrooms were spotless and campsites in great condition.

The campsite is up a 9 mile dirt road above Lake.  We drove our kayaks and paddle boards down during day for water activities.

Silver Lake July 4th holiday What a great campground! There are three loops with one dedicated to group camping. Lots of great views and decent site separation. The elevation is 9,100 feet. There are trails to an overlook of the reservoir and down around the reservoir. The entire campground (except groups) is all first come first served. It’s posted to select your site and the host will find you... eventually. It’s not like you are leaving anytime soon. The hosts Kathy and Jeneen are awesome. Very laidback and easygoing, creating a relaxed and stress free environment while staying on top of their campground tasks as needed. If they don’t catch up to you by dinner time, they will the next morning... relax! Interesting not to see a single chipmunk the entire week. Saw deer and a fox, lots of Monarch butterflies, but no chipmunks. No one has seen a bear this

We stayed here the first day it opened in June of 2022. Only the middle loop of the campground was open at that time. Big sites, lots of pull through options. Very clean bathrooms. The hosts were friendly and informative. The short hike out to the overlook is worth the stroll. The views are amazing. Closest store is 45 min away so come prepared with everything you’ll need.

I have camped at Hartman Rocks two different summers and enjoyed the remote location of the park. Adequate campsites are 100yd-500yds apart. Milky Way views on dark nights.

Came in about 10pm. Almost hit a stray dog. Map is absolute spaghetti. Camp sites are marked on the map but it doesn't matter because there are dozens of paths between any two points that vary from two way maintained gravel to one way rocky ravines with puddles where you can't see the bottom. Entering the area where there is supposed to be sites is a 30% grade gravel road full of potholes. You will not make it with 2 wheel drive. Signs were incredibly unhelpful. "3350b: hike, camp, motocross, bike, everything else" for every direction. Kiosks inside have topo maps instead of campsite maps. Are also outdated because many paths shown were closed.

Do not attempt at night or without 4wd. Might be fine during day if you can see farther than a stones throw? If you're a tired dude just trying to find a place to sleep, this isn't it.

Plenty of camping spots with amazing rock outcrops perfect for exploring!

Great spot with many sites, also, roads aren’t that bad, my car does not have great clearance and I had no issue with these roads!

It’s about 10 minutes from downtown Gunnison. You can get to most of the sites without a 4WD. The sites are dispersed enough so each site has pretty good privacy. You can still get phone service at some of the higher elevation sites.