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.
$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."
"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."
$20 / night
"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."
$28 - $36 / night
"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."
$20 / night
"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."
$36 - $90 / night
"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!"
"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"
$28 - $615 / night
"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."
$24 / night
"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."
$36 / night
"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."
GuideI stayed here last year. Got my same site from a year ago. Price has gone up. It’s $40 a night $20 with a senior discount. Very dusty road coming in but worth it very quiet can hear the creek. We’ll always come back.
TravelerWe had never been to Grand Mesa before, and after failing to secure a reservation at Ward Lake, Cobbett Lake, or Island Lake CGs, we decided to give this one a try. We arrived just before dark and found only one site occupied. We selected site 14 purely because we were trying to have a bit of privacy/space from the other party. There were other sites that we would have preferred, though, that offered better views of the lake and more shade. Site 14 was ok. There are metal fire rings and picnic tables at every site. There are two vault toilets, which were somewhat clean. There is no camp host. You can pay with cash, check, or credit card at the sign, and it was $16/night. We spent two nights.
Grand Mesa is free range area, so one thing you will need to be aware of is that there will most likely be cows wandering through the CG. There is no fence or anything keeping the cows out. This isn't a huge deal, but you will need to watch your step a bit more than usual, and it will be important to keep pups on a leash/cable (or well within voice control- if you have trained your pup this will, good on you!) to keep them from approaching the livestock. Our pup sneaked out the camper door behind one of us and found a juicy cow pie to roll in before we knew it. We were lucky our pop-up had an outdoor shower and she could rinse off swimming in Cottonwood Lake!
Having explored Grand Mesa a bit more now, there are definitely better options. Most people were dispersed camping and there were some great looking dispersed spots near cottonwood lake. I think we will probably go that route if we return to Grand Mesa rather than staying here again.
GuideThis is a large area for OHV but there are some nicer designated sites. Near a clean vault toilet. If you are coming from Gunnison heading west take the second Hartman Rocks turn off. Not the one by the airport. Follow that road back and you will come across 10 or so sites. I saw some big rigs back there but not all sites will work for a large rig. You do drive down a decent washboard road but nothing to be concerned with.
TravelerWe arrived on a Sunday afternoon and had intended on going to Priest Lake Campground, but when we arrived we learned that no trailers were allowed. We checked out Sunshine and one other nearby campground that started with an M, but neither offered much privacy or shade. So we went back up and found an amazing dispersed spot near Lizard Head Pass, on the Galloping Goose Trail. The road in was bumpy but not too bad. The entry into the site we chose was somewhat treacherous (meaning we nearly pulled the rear bumper off our pop-up camper getting in and out of there). But it was totally worth it! I've included a pic of the spot where we camped and a pic I snapped from inside the camper when I woke up the first morning of our stay. Plenty of shade. You can hear road noise from Hwy 145 during the day, but it was very quiet at night. Lots of privacy. It is dispersed, so no amenities (toilet, fire ring, picnic table, etc). There was absolutely no Verizon service if that is important to you. We loved this spot and would return, even if it does mean we have to replace the trailer bumper.
GuideCampsite 4 has privacy, table, fire ring (no fires allowed currently) and shade. The river is right in front of you. You can hear the road noise but traffic practically disappears as the sun goes down and all you hear is the river.
GuideCame up on a Wednesday without a reservation and got a spot. Hosts greet you and are kind. 40$ for a full hookup plus hot showers included. Surrounded by trees it’s beautiful makes me feel like I’m in the show “Lost”
RangerWe have friends that live in Marble, but it took us a long, long time to visit them. And now we try to visit them every year because it's so beautiful. The map location representation is a little off, but the town is so small, It's easy to find the R. V park. We love everythinabout Marble. Don't miss the food at the Slow Groovin BBQ
TravelerVery high desert with few trees and really not a great camping area. Private residences not far.
ScoutGorgeous little spot next to a river, and hardly anyone was there.
The only downside - the Porta potties are gag-tastic. I get it, they’re Porta Johns but geez Louise yuck. I think they skipped the servicing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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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