High-country camping near Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests offers campers unique terrain spanning elevations from 5,800 to over 8,000 feet. The region experiences dramatic temperature swings, with summer nights dropping to the 40s even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Weather patterns change rapidly in this mountain environment, requiring campers to prepare for conditions that can shift from sunny to thunderstorms within hours.
What to do
Fishing in Blue Mesa Reservoir: Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch serves as an excellent base for anglers. "World Class fishing in the Gunnison River as well as Blue Mesa Reservoir" are among the draws according to one visitor, with many sites just a short walk from fishing access.
Explore Black Canyon: Black Canyon RV Park & Campground in Cimarron makes a convenient basecamp for national park exploration. A visitor noted, "Close to Montrose and Black Canyons of the Gunnison National Park, easy access to these and highly recommend checking them out if you stay here!"
Hiking the Perimeter Trail: The 4J + 1+ 1 RV Park in Ouray connects directly to local trails. "This little place is on the outskirts of Ouray, tucked into the base of the mountain (perimeter trail actually has an access point at the park)," writes one camper who enjoyed the convenient access to hiking.
What campers like
River sites for cooling off: Riverbend RV Park offers sites along the Uncompahgre River. One camper shared, "The river and pond are were very nice to sit by and observe nature. The Canada geese families were fun to watch."
Dark skies for stargazing: Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch offers exceptional night viewing. A visitor appreciated the "nice cool nights and love the dark nights to star gaze," making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.
Walking distance to town: Many campers appreciate the convenience of Ouray's walkable campgrounds. "We loved the trail into town - an easy walk to the hot springs pool or to grab something to eat," noted a camper at Ouray Riverside Resort, highlighting the benefit of not needing to drive after setting up camp.
What you should know
Extreme elevation considerations: Many campgrounds sit at high elevations affecting both comfort and equipment. Elk Creek Campground sits at 7,600 feet, and as one camper notes, "Summer trips get hot, so a canopy is needed for shade" since there are "little to no trees or shade" at many high-altitude sites.
Highway 50 construction impacts: Centennial RV Park visitors should be aware of ongoing road construction. "Hwy 50 is down to one lane once in the morning and once in the evening due to bridge repairs. You cannot pull a trailer across the bridge at any times," warned one RVer, noting the detour can add nearly 2 hours to travel time.
Connectivity challenges: Cell service varies dramatically across the region. One visitor to Blue Mesa noted, "There is no Cellular service at this Campground. They have Wi-Fi, but I cannot attest to its strength or reliability; I use Starlink."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Elk Creek Campground offers family-friendly amenities near the water. A visitor mentioned, "Most sites are close enough to the water to walk down to the reservoir but there was also plenty of parking spaces," making it convenient for families with beach gear.
Swimming options: Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch offers both indoor and outdoor pools. "We had such a relaxing stay at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch! One of the major highlights for us was the amazing pool setup—both indoor and outdoor pools were clean, well-maintained, and perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring," shared a family visitor.
Off-site activities: The region offers family adventures beyond camping. "Gunnison is 25 minutes out, Crested Butte an hour, Ouray, Silverton, Lake City, Arkansas River Wilderness all an hour to 90 minutes away," noted a visitor who used the area as a family adventure hub.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Riverbend RV Park & Cabins offers reliable utilities for longer stays. "We spend three days here between some disperse camping in the region and could not say enough good things...The Wifi was five stars which is rare in most RV parks. Super fast speeds," noted one RV camper.
Site spacing considerations: RVers should check site dimensions when booking. At Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch, "you will be backed up and beside other campers. By this, I mean their rigs will be within 20 feet of you," explained a long-term visitor.
Dump station locations: Plan waste management carefully as not all parks offer full hookups. Four Seasons River Inn offers riverside sites without sewer connections, but a camper mentioned, "Gets an extra star for location on the river!" suggesting the trade-off is worthwhile for the views and fishing access.
