Missy R.
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GuideDakota Terraces Campground — Ridgway State Park
This is a beautiful spot. Sites are spacious. And while they don’t have water at sites, they do have fill spots throughout the campground
Camping near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, CO
8 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park region provides diverse camping experiences, from established campgrounds to remote BLM dispersed sites. South Rim Campground offers developed sites with amenities including electric hookups and water, while North Rim Campground provides a more primitive experience with basic facilities. East Portal Campground sits at the canyon bottom along the Gunnison River, offering a secluded setting popular with anglers. For those seeking free camping options, dispersed sites on BLM land near the Black Canyon's entrance provide alternatives without designated facilities.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with some dispersed areas requiring high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. The steep, twisting road to East Portal Campground has a 16% grade and restricts vehicles over 22 feet in length. Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with North Rim typically open from April through mid-November, while other locations like South Rim remain accessible year-round, weather permitting. Elevation changes dramatically from the canyon rim to the river bottom, affecting temperatures and camping conditions. One camper noted, "Since you have to hike 3 miles, descending 1800 feet into the canyon, there weren't many people at the campsite."
Riverside camping represents a major draw in this region, with several campgrounds offering direct access to the Gunnison River. East Portal provides both drive-in and walk-in sites near the water, creating opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing. Several campers reported excellent fishing experiences, with one noting, "The river is close for fly fishing, there are no RVs, mostly tent or van/truck camping due to the road being restricted." BLM dispersed sites offer more seclusion and often feature panoramic views of surrounding mountains and valleys, though campers should be prepared for minimal facilities and potentially challenging terrain. Reviews consistently mention the quiet, natural setting and dark night skies as highlights of camping in this area, particularly at sites farther from developed areas.
Best Campgrounds near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (304)
1. South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
"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."
24 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $34 / night
2. Black Canyon Dispersed Camping
"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."
3. North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
"Driving through Colorado in the fall there is nothing which can compare. "
"Camped one night on our road trip throughout southwestern Colorado. Campsites over look the canyon."
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
4. Elk Ridge Campground — Ridgway State Park
"The site was big and a real short walk from the car. It was nice that the road didn't go next to the campsite like usual so it cut down on noise."
"Water access nearby. Bathrooms were super clean and the showers were nice and hot. Laundry facilities available. We stayed on D-183 and had a nice view of the mountains and the lake."
4 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $28 - $36 / night
5. East Portal Campground — Curecanti National Recreation Area
"down the road, you park in the sites facing the river, and walk your stuff down a little embankment to very cool, quiet, shady sites that I really liked."
"There are fifteen spots, 7 of those have drive in access, the other 8 are a park and walk down a small embankment - but oh, what a setting - set in a grove of trees, it was beautiful."
from $20 / night
6. Dakota Terraces Campground — Ridgway State Park
"With that said, there was community spigots located near the campsites that were still on if you need to top off your fresh water tanks."
"There is a cool trail (best if you can get dropped at the top, haha) for some off-road biking (careful with little ones, it can get steep, bumpy, and have sharp corners). But it’s a blast!"
21 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $36 - $90 / night
7. Cedar Creek RV Park
"The RV sites are all on gravel but there is a large grassy area near the office. The site is on the edge of town but was fairly quiet. Nice clean laundry and restrooms."
"Bathrooms and showers are clean Wifi available and cellphone service are good Close to Black Canyon of the Gunnison"
8. Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground — Ridgway State Park
"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."
"Great views, easy access to trails near the reservoir, and well maintained. We staid in the RV lot which didn’t offer a ton of privacy."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 - $615 / night
9. Cimarron Campground (CO) — Curecanti National Recreation Area
"passing thru with our 45 foot toyhauler. combined with the truck we are 63 feet long and fit just fine. arrived 2pm ish and left next morning around 10am."
"Quick drive to Black Canyon. Also some cool train displays nearby."
from $24 / night
10. Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park
"Great view of the lake but the lake level was down so we weren't as close as you could be but still a great lake & mountain view. I have Verizon I had 2 to 3 bars & could stream Pandora."
"Many vineyards close by. Joe Cocker (rock singer) had a ranch nearby."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $36 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 16 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 3 hrs 25 min from Farmington, NM
- 3 hrs 42 min from Pueblo, CO
- 4 hrs 3 min from Colorado Springs, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests
508 Photos of 304 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Cimarron Campground (CO) — Curecanti National Recreation AreaJ
East Portal Campground — Curecanti National Recreation AreaS
Black Canyon Dispersed Camping
South Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Meadows of San Juan Resort
The Hop Yard HideawayA
Riverbend RV Park & Cabinsm
Big Cimarron
Slate River Road Designated Dispersed - DISPERSED NO LONGER ALLOWED
Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground — Ridgway State Park
Iron Creek Campground — Crawford State Park
Recent Reviews near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests
1630 Reviews of 304 Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests Campgrounds
Hannah R.GuidePark Reservoir Grand Mesa
One of the best lakes on the Grand Mesa, Park Reservoir is truly top tier. The beautiful blue water, lush meadows and dense forest are impeccable. The only drawback is that it’s a pretty hot spot, so If you are hoping for seclusion, this ain’t it. It seems like a pretty popular spot for the fisherman who were out all day in search of a bite and seemed to be quite successful in their endeavors. The water is FREEZING even at the peak of summer, be warned! Overall great spot.
- SSusan W.
ScoutUncompahgre National Forest Thistledown Campground
Unit 8 is the best. Next to a stream. Only a restroom. Bring exerything you need otherwise.
- TTravis R.Scout
Site near Black Canyon Gunnison NP
Great site with tons of options… slippery mud when wet… past the first few spots I would recommend 4x4 if wet…
- BBrigid K.
TravelerBlack Canyon Dispersed Camping
Very muddy but easily found a spot. Not crowded at all (granted it is mid to late October but still).
Landon C.
RangerHorse Ranch Park (dispersed)-paonia Rd
Lots of open space where you can set up camp. This spot is mostly for elk hunters, although normal folks are of course welcome. Just don’t set up camp next to one of the horse hitching rails unless you actually have a horse. Note that you can only camp here for 7 days within a 30 day window, which is unlike the normal 14 day limit. This area gets extremely crowded in the summer and fall peeping seasons. I was here in mid October and the crowd was mostly gone.
- aamber H.Guide
Red Mountain Creek
busy on weekends great river/ creek spots
I arrived around 4 on a Friday in the fall and it was packed. I had to leave but came back the following Monday and there were lots of spots right off 550 close to Ouray
- AAnthony M.Guide
Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed)
Great spot
This is an amazing 7day spot with spectacular views but the rd here is rocky and rutted! I made it in my van but probably wouldn’t recommend it
Vinny D.RangerLast Dollar Road
Absolutely one of the best spots I’ve ever camped at
This is pretty easy to find on the right.
Guide to Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison region provides over 200 campground sites spanning elevations from 7,000 to 8,200 feet. Temperature variations can exceed 30°F between the canyon rim and river bottom in a single day. Most wilderness sites require wilderness permits, which must be obtained in person on the day of your trip from park visitor centers.
What to do
Fishing in river access areas: At East Portal Campground, anglers can fish directly below the Gunnison Diversion Dam in gold medal trout waters. "The river is green...weird," noted one camper at this riverside location, though the unusual color doesn't affect the quality of fishing. The campground is located at the canyon bottom, requiring navigation down a steep 5-mile road with 16% grades.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Crawford State Park's Iron Creek Campground offers excellent wildlife observation areas around the reservoir. "We got lucky enough to get a concrete pad site... Lots of fish jumping and can watch beavers swimming in and out of the marsh in the evening," reports one visitor. Bird watching is particularly good during morning hours.
Hiking to secluded areas: Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground at Ridgway State Park connects to hiking trails and riverside areas. "This is a Walk-in camp site for tents only... There is a steep hill to this site that you have to wheelbarrow your gear up to, not featured in many pictures of the site," explains one camper who stayed in the H-loop. The campground provides wheelbarrows to help transport equipment to walk-in sites.
What campers like
Dark night sky viewing: North Rim Campground at Black Canyon offers premier stargazing with minimal light pollution. "Sites pretty close together, although our site was on the end and larger," notes one camper. The more remote North Rim typically receives fewer visitors than the South Rim, creating a quieter atmosphere.
Riverside camping spots: Riverbend RV Park & Cabins provides sites adjacent to the Uncompahgre River. "The river and pond are were very nice to sit by and observe nature. The Canada geese families were fun to watch," shares one visitor who appreciated the natural setting. The park offers a mix of RV sites and cabin rentals for those without camping equipment.
Access to multiple recreation areas: Elk Ridge Campground at Ridgway State Park serves as a central base for exploring multiple recreation sites. "A great eat location to call home while exploring the area. Nice views at camp. Clean restrooms and showers! We spent a lot of time in Telluride, Ouray, and Silverton," explains one camper who used the park as a home base for regional exploration.
What you should know
Vehicle restrictions: Roads to certain campgrounds have strict vehicle length limits. East Portal Road prohibits vehicles over 22 feet due to steep switchbacks. "Well, very steep twisty road to access. CG is small and very limited for anything larger than van, trucks, tenters and small Class Cs. Signs at top note vehicles over 22ft prohibited," warns one camper.
Weather preparedness: Temperatures fluctuate dramatically between day and night. Crawford State Park experiences particularly intense sun exposure: "The only problem we have ran into here is the sun. We used a sun shade with a tarp on one side that we would keep rotating during the day to create shade. The sun is unbearable here for a whole weekend without some shade!"
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds within Black Canyon National Park boundaries have no cellular coverage. "No cell connectivity, extremely limited water (best to bring what you need) and well-maintained vault toilets," reports one South Rim camper. Plan communications and navigation needs accordingly.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Crawford State Park offers excellent cycling options for children. "Great loops for biking with kids, very clean campsites and nice bathrooms, great trails for biking or walking between the camp loops, nice reservoir for water activities," mentions a family who visited the park. The paved paths connect camping loops with minimal vehicle traffic.
Youth fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide stocked fishing ponds specifically for younger anglers. "There is also a fish cleaning station at the bathrooms that is VERY well equipped making this an ideal place to teach kids to love fishing and the cooking/cleaning/conservation responsibilities that go with it," explains a visitor to Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground.
Wildlife education: Junior Ranger programs at Black Canyon National Park engage children in learning about local ecosystems. "There is a nice hike from the campground to the visitor center and around down a little ways into a canyon," notes one North Rim camper. Request Junior Ranger booklets at visitor centers to enhance educational opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many campsites throughout the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests camping areas require substantial leveling. "Stayed for just one night at site 55. Needed all our levelers as the site is sloped downhill," reports a camper at Dakota Terraces Campground. Bring additional leveling blocks, especially for larger rigs.
Dispersed options for larger vehicles: Black Canyon Dispersed Camping on BLM land offers alternatives when campgrounds are full. "BLM land just outside the south (main) entrance to Black Canyon National Park. Road can be rough, especially slippery mud after rain. Many dispersed sites with cleared space and fire rings along the road, which goes for miles," describes one camper. Front sites are more accessible for larger vehicles.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited in the region, with most National Park campgrounds offering electric only or no hookups. "The park's owners are exceptional; everything they do is done for the benefit of their guests. A few examples include oversized RV sites, WiFi, and they even love dogs because they have an off-lease dog park," notes a visitor to Riverbend RV Park, one of the few facilities with complete hookups in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dispersed camping options are available in Uncompahgre National Forest?
What dispersed camping options are available in Uncompahgre National Forest?
Uncompahgre National Forest offers several outstanding dispersed camping options. Owl Creek Pass provides a magical setting with aspen groves, flowing rivers, waterfalls, and sweeping mountain views. The area is particularly beautiful during fall when aspens change color. Another excellent option is Golden Hour Dispersed, which offers scenic riverside camping with access to vault toilets, hiking trails, and off-roading opportunities. While the natural surroundings are beautiful, be prepared for less privacy and potential noise from other campers and generators. Dispersed camping in Uncompahgre follows standard Forest Service rules: camp at least 100 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings when possible, and pack out all trash. Most dispersed areas are accessible by standard vehicles, though some remote spots require high clearance.
Where are the best camping spots in Grand Mesa National Forest?
Where are the best camping spots in Grand Mesa National Forest?
Grand Mesa National Forest offers stunning alpine scenery with several exceptional camping options. Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area provides lakeside sites with beautiful mountain views and bird watching opportunities. The area accommodates both RVs and tents with several designated sites. For those seeking more amenities, Matterhorn — Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre And Gunnison National Forest offers a well-maintained campground with hot showers and reservable sites through recreation.gov. This campground provides a perfect balance of comfort and outdoor adventure with helpful camp hosts and sites tucked away for privacy. Most Grand Mesa camping areas are accessible from late spring through early fall, with peak season during July and August when wildflowers bloom.
Do I need permits for camping in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests?
Do I need permits for camping in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests?
Most developed campgrounds across Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests require fee payment but not advance permits. At Oh Be Joyful Campground, fees are collected through an honor system without on-site hosts. For dispersed camping, permits are typically not required, but you should follow Leave No Trace principles and camp in previously used sites. Some popular areas like Little Molas Lake Campground along the Million Dollar Highway have established fee systems. Always check recreation.gov for current reservation requirements at developed sites, as some campgrounds have transitioned to reservation systems in recent years. Group sites may have separate reservation processes and different fee structures.
What amenities are available at Grand Mesa campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Grand Mesa campgrounds?
Grand Mesa campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities to suit different camping preferences. Molas Lake Park & Campground provides well-maintained facilities with clean, leveled tent pads, friendly staff, and excellent views. The campground serves as a perfect base for outdoor activities and geological exploration. For those seeking more luxurious accommodations, Ouray KOA Holiday offers cabins, tent sites, bathrooms, a playground, and a jump pad for children. Most developed campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like vault toilets and potable water stations. Some campgrounds like Bogan Flats Campground can be quite busy during peak season with limited bathroom facilities. Water availability varies by location, with some campgrounds having easily missable water faucets, so it's advisable to confirm water access before arrival.
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