Camping near Curecanti National Recreation Area

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Curecanti National Recreation Area. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Curecanti National Recreation Area, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Curecanti National Recreation Area (280)

    1. Elk Creek Campground

    33 Reviews
    Powderhorn, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 641-2337

    $24 - $34 / night

    "You are in close proximity to other campers as is usual in a BLM or NFS campground. Not an issue really. There is a rodent issue at the camp."

    "Our campsite was number 7 (on a clearing surrounded by a creek with a few other campsites). Campsites are close in proximity, but we had awesome campers around us who we befriended."

    2. South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

    67 Reviews
    Montrose, CO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 249-1914

    $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."

    3. Black Canyon Dispersed Camping

    57 Reviews
    Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO
    21 miles
    Website

    "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."

    4. Gunnison National Forest Soap Creek Campground

    7 Reviews
    Curecanti National Recreation Area, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 641-0471

    "Many of the sites are shaded by the trees and the nearby creek provides soothing background noise during nights. Trails near the sites are very accessible. Views are gorgeous."

    "We arrived at Soap Creek Campground around noon on a Friday in mid-July and found several wonderful sites to choose from."

    5. Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch

    11 Reviews
    Gunnison, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 642-4150

    $30 / night

    "This campground is west of Gunnison, Colorado across from Blue Mesa Reservoir. No cell service, but they have free wifi. The wifi is slow and when it's busy doesn't work well."

    "It is a great place to explore from into the many surrounding popular locations."

    6. Ponderosa - Curecanti National Recreation Area

    4 Reviews
    Crawford, CO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 641-2337

    $20 / night

    "This is a really sweet campsite… With a few sites up top when you enter that overlook the creek and adjacent Ridge, and then many more sides down by the creek."

    "If the lake is low you have to hike lots of deer and clean spot"

    7. Soap Creek Corral

    4 Reviews
    Crawford, CO
    6 miles
    Website

    "This is a great spot tucked away behind the reservoir and along a sweet little creek. I didn’t stay because no one was there this time of year and I had no cell service."

    "What draws us to this campground is the beauty of the surrounding area. Black Canyon is close by for those who like to hike."

    8. Lake Fork Campground

    5 Reviews
    Powderhorn, CO
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (970) 641-2337

    $24 / night

    "Yes it's multiple big open parking lots, but there is a lake with shore access, a boat launch, and clean facilities.  "

    "Great view of the lake! Basically two glorified parking lots with picnic tables and fire pits, but they had the cleanest restrooms I’ve ever seen at a campground! I’ll be coming back."

    9. Sapinero Village Campground

    3 Reviews
    Curecanti National Recreation Area, CO
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 641-3949

    $30 - $150 / night

    "The campground is very convenient location for the lake and rivers.  Nice service of coffee and a few microwaved food options. It has a nice game room also. "

    "From the moment we stepped into the lodge to check in, we were greeted with the bright smiles of the owners. They escorted us to our site to ensure it was to our liking- wow!"

    10. Red Creek Rd Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Curecanti National Recreation Area, CO
    7 miles
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 280 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Curecanti National Recreation Area

1306 Reviews of 280 Curecanti National Recreation Area Campgrounds


  • laura S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Elk Ridge Campground — Ridgway State Park

    big campground!

    rolled in on sunday evening and got a site. some sites pretty close to each other, ours felt a bit separated from others. clean restrooms.

  • Ricky R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

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

    3 nights on full hookup

    The park was well maintained, and patrolled by park staff. The sites were well spaced and generally level. The sites next to the highway received a lot of road noise 24 hours a day. Beware that Colorado State Parks charges a $10 per day vehicle fee on top of the camping fee. It is not included when you make a reservation online even though it asks for the number of vehicles you have. You must pay the vehicle fee onsite.

  • Trish M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Horse Ranch Park (dispersed)-paonia Rd

    Stunning & secluded

    Found this place late afternoon and fell in love with Gunnison National Forest! Lost Lake was right across the road from where we camped. Found a beautiful spot with a great view! Most of the other spots were taken so we were blessed. Can't wait to go back again.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    4J + 1+ 1 RV Park

    Nice campground

    Full hook up ,sewer hook up on each sight laundry room 2$ per load quarters needed

  • I
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Mill Creek

    Camping

    Beautiful views, clean toilets and fresh drinking water available

  • A
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Musicians Campground

    Amazing views!

    There are very clean vault toilets available and each site has a fire pit

  • Jennifer N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Erickson Springs

    Hidden Gem!

    This is an Awesome CG heading down off Kebler Pass! I arrived mid-day Friday and plenty of sites available! It’s a smaller, clean CG right along the river! There’s hiking trails near by also - a great find!

  • G
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Creede, CO Overlook

    Get your camera out, this is picture perfect

    The farther you go, the steeper some of the hills get. I saw a large 5th wheel and a class A near the beginning. The last spot occupied was a capable Toyota 4Runner. Our 2-wheel drive made it to the top of the bald. 2bar for Verizon. I can see a cell tower across the valley, which must be T-Mobile, or I would have a stronger signal. Very short drive into town. Depending on your fitness level, an hour hike into town and back up. We had OHV vehicles drive by. The older the driver, the more they slowed down;) To avoid kicking up dust.

  • Jonathan M.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Red Creek Campground

    Group camping or day use only

    This is for day use (front site) and group camping (back area) only. I called and asked how to pay for the site and was told that info, and he said for camping to go further up the forestry road... plenty of spots to fit any size rig


Guide to Curecanti National Recreation Area

Camping near Curecanti National Recreation Area, Colorado, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails around the area. Many campers enjoy the scenic hikes, with one reviewer mentioning, "Beautiful 1 mile hike to the visitor center. Super convenient if you’re planning to do anything inner canyon" at the South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
  • Fishing: The waters around Elk Creek Campground are great for fishing. One camper shared, "Fly fishing in the Gunnison as well as great fishing and swimming in Blue Mesa Reservoir is a short walk or drive."
  • Stargazing: The area is known for its dark skies. A visitor at the South Rim Campground noted, "This is a dark sky park. Took photos of the stars."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and campsites. One reviewer at Gunnison National Forest Lake Irwin Campground said, "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were nice and hot."
  • Proximity to attractions: Many campgrounds are close to popular spots. A camper at Elk Creek Campground mentioned, "You are in close proximity to other campers as is usual in a BLM or NFS campground."
  • Wildlife sightings: Campers enjoy the chance to see wildlife. One visitor at Oh Be Joyful Recreation Area noted, "We saw moose in the afternoon into evening."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Black Canyon Dispersed Camping, lack basic facilities. A reviewer pointed out, "No toilets, no trash, no water hookups."
  • Crowded during peak times: Popular spots can fill up quickly. A camper at Washington Gulch Dispersed Camping warned, "You will more than likely be side by side with someone but that didn’t bother me too much."
  • Road conditions: Some access roads can be rough. A visitor at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area mentioned, "You do need to know how to drive on and around rock in the road."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for sites with amenities. One camper at Ridgway State Park said, "Bathrooms were super clean and the showers were nice and hot."
  • Plan activities: Make sure to have a list of fun things to do. A family at Gunnison National Forest Lake Irwin Campground enjoyed, "Beautiful day hiking and swimming."
  • Bring games and entertainment: Keep kids engaged during downtime. A reviewer at Ouray KOA mentioned, "There is a game room with old school arcade games for the kids."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have size limitations. A visitor at Amphitheater Campground cautioned, "Got up to the entrance to find signs warning of overall length limitations."
  • Look for electric hookups: Not all sites offer this. A camper at Elk Creek Campground noted, "The only thing I would say to give anyone a heads up about coming here is the wind is pretty bad."
  • Be prepared for wildlife: Keep food secure to avoid rodent issues. A reviewer at Gunnison National Forest Lake Irwin Campground mentioned, "The main issue here is this place has a serious rodent issue."

Camping near Curecanti National Recreation Area, Colorado, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but being prepared can make all the difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Curecanti National Recreation Area?

According to TheDyrt.com, Curecanti National Recreation Area offers a wide range of camping options, with 280 campgrounds and RV parks near Curecanti National Recreation Area and 74 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Curecanti National Recreation Area?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Curecanti National Recreation Area is Elk Creek Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 33 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Curecanti National Recreation Area?

What parks are near Curecanti National Recreation Area?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Curecanti National Recreation Area that allow camping, notably Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.