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.
