Best Campgrounds near Montrose, CO

Camping near Montrose, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

• Hiking: There are numerous trails nearby, including the Chasm Trail, which starts right at the North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. One camper mentioned, "The trail to the rim is right behind the campground. It's a nice and cool spot during a hot summer."
• Star Gazing: The area is known for its dark skies, perfect for stargazing. A visitor at the South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park shared, "This is a dark sky park. Took photos of the stars."
• Fishing and Boating: If you enjoy fishing, the Elk Creek Campground is close to Blue Mesa Reservoir, where you can fish and swim. One reviewer noted, "Fly fishing in the Gunnison as well as great fishing and swimming in Blue Mesa Reservoir is a short walk or drive."

What campers like:

• Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and clean campsites. A visitor at the Ouray Riverside Resort said, "The bathrooms were clean and the showers looked ok."
• Beautiful Views: Many campgrounds offer stunning mountain views. One camper at the Ouray KOA mentioned, "Gorgeous views and they have some huge pull-through sites for big rigs."
• Proximity to Town: Being close to Montrose is a plus. A reviewer at the Telluride Town Park Campground stated, "Perfect little campground, reasonably priced for its location, very clean bathrooms and within walking distance to town."

What you should know:

• Crowded Sites: Some campgrounds can be busy, especially during peak season. A camper at the Ouray KOA noted, "Very busy and lots of out-of-state campers at this campground."
• Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at the North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park mentioned, "Most of the camping sites are placed fairly close together."
• Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. One camper at the Elk Creek Campground shared, "We saw moose in the afternoon into evening."

Tips for camping with families:

• Bring Shade: Many campgrounds lack shade, so consider bringing a shade tent. A reviewer at the South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park advised, "It's a bit noisy because of how close sites are to one another, and there's not a ton of shade."
• Plan Activities: With hiking and fishing nearby, plan family-friendly activities. A camper at the Black Canyon Dispersed Camping mentioned, "Camp sites are neatly nestled into the trees to provide a decent level of privacy."
• Safety First: Keep food secured to avoid attracting wildlife. A visitor at the North Rim Campground warned about yellowjackets, saying, "Lots of yellowjackets which was an annoyance."

Tips from RVers:

• Check Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. A camper at the Last Dollar Road cautioned, "Do not go if you have a 2WD or a low sitting vehicle."
• Space Considerations: Sites can be close together, so choose wisely. A reviewer at the Ouray Riverside Resort noted, "The downside is the sites are very close together."
• Plan for Wind: Some areas can get windy, so be prepared. A camper at the Elk Creek Campground mentioned, "The wind is pretty bad. Seems like it gets windy every day from 12pm to 6pm like clockwork."

Camping in Montrose, CO, offers a unique blend of nature and adventure. Whether you're tent camping or RVing, there's something for everyone to enjoy!