The De Beque area sits at approximately 5,000 feet elevation where the Colorado River cuts through dramatic sandstone canyons and mesas. Camping options span from riverside sites with cottonwood shade to high-elevation forest settings at 8,400 feet on nearby Grand Mesa. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing while summer days often exceed 90°F, making seasonal considerations important when planning your trip.
What to do
Mesa exploration: 20+ miles of hiking trails on Grand Mesa offer diverse terrain near Ward Lake Campground. "Ward Lake Trail and hiked all the way to the other side of the lake, which was beautiful! The trail was amazing, the trees were great and it made for a very scenic trail," notes one camper who appreciated the alpine setting.
Fishing access: Shoreline and boat options at multiple lakes and rivers. At Rifle Gap State Park Campground, one visitor mentioned, "Lots of spots to park a kayak near your camp sites. We had a great time fishing, but they will check fishing licenses, so don't be a poacher."
Orchard visits and cider tasting: Several campgrounds offer proximity to local farms. "Big B's has a full restaurant (the chili cheese fries were amazing), lots of cider varieties on tap and to go. Live music some nights," reports a visitor who enjoyed the agricultural setting.
Geocaching adventures: Multiple parks feature established geocache locations. One camper noted, "We visited because we were working on a geocaching event and needed to add to our collection, and there are 13 in the park."
What campers like
River proximity and sounds: Many campers value waterside sites. At Elk Creek Campground, visitors appreciate "a full hookup site in a natural setting along a roaring creek. The park has a variety of accommodations with full hookup sites, a 'tent' section with electricity (lovely for small RVs as well) and log cabins."
Clean facilities despite remote locations: Visitors consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms. A Palisade Basecamp camper noted, "The bathhouse is heated and in pristine condition. On property their is a very lovely peach orchard, a dog run, and river access which would be ideal for the summer months."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer excellent chances to see local fauna. "Stay outside your camper here and listen to the doves, ravens, owls, and watch the hawks. There are hundreds of domestic sheep and goats adjacent to the campground. When the coyotes start howling the guard dogs reply," reports a visitor to Bookcliff Campground.
Free hot showers: Some parks offer this appreciated amenity. As one camper at Bookcliff Campground noted, "Hot free showers and laundry machines that take quarters on site. Many rangers and staff of the campground are always around to help."
What you should know
Weather variability: Rapid changes occur frequently in this high-desert environment. At Cottonwood Lake Campground, one visitor reported: "The rain storms were pretty intense, so much standing water we could not find a good place to camp dry. In two days we had 4 hours to get out and fish and walk around the area."
Elevation impacts: Higher elevation campgrounds require different preparation. One camper mentioned, "This is a small campground tucked away on top of a national monument. We did have a couple things walk through our site, we weren't sure what they were but it put our dog on high alert."
Seasonal closures and limitations: Many sites operate seasonally or have reduced services. At Mud Springs Campground, a visitor noted, "Although normally water is available, it was not working in August 2021 due to drought."
Insect preparation: Several areas have significant insect activity. "The bugs are outrageous due to the all the fruit trees, I would assume," reported a camper at one orchard campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple areas provide dedicated play spaces. At Bookcliff Campground — Highline Lake State Park, visitors mention the "large swim beach and the visitors center has children's fishing gear that is free to use during your visit. There is a wooden play structure as well."
Tree swings at orchard camps: Natural play features delight children. "Our kids aged 8 and 11 absolutely loved the big tree swings," noted a family staying at The Campground at Big B's Delicious Orchards.
Swimming options: Some sites offer water recreation. One camper suggested: "The lake was nice. The sites spacious and very accommodating. Definitely will camp there again. Another cool thing is they have 13 geocaches in the park."
Weather preparation: Families should prepare for rapid temperature changes. "We woke up freezing and left early. Bring everything you need because it's a long drive to re-up on supplies," advised one camper with children.
Tips for RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Not all campgrounds accommodate big rigs. At Mud Springs, "Sites are mostly back in and not real big for larger TTs or RVs. Two group sites and a nice large picnic area loop sometimes used for overflow camping."
Terrain awareness: Some access roads require appropriate vehicles. "4x4 would help get to the sites! Especially on muddy days!" advises a camper who experienced the conditions firsthand.
Seasonal planning for yurt camping De Beque, Colorado: The area's permanent and seasonal yurt accommodations provide alternatives to traditional RV setups. Some visitors prefer the yurt camping experience near De Beque during shoulder seasons when temperature fluctuations make tent camping challenging.
Hookup availability varies widely: Check specifics before arrival. "Although we normally water is available, it was not working in August 2021 due to drought. Update Aug 2024 visit..water system is working," reports a camper at Mud Springs.
