Looking for the best campgrounds near Gunnison National Forest, CO? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Gunnison National Forest and user-submitted reviews.
$20 - $110 / night
"I love to come up here to get away from the real world. It is so peaceful up here and the people around are so great! The owners are beyond amazing!!"
"The showers and bathroom are cleaned daily it seems so that is nice. No cell service for Verizon. Firewood for sale at clubhouse. Staff is helpful. Wi-Fi can be spotty."
"They have cabins that look very retro, Actually only 20 RV sites, some of them on the Crystal River. A large group of tent sites & a teepee."
$35 - $725 / night
"Plenty of grassy common areas to stretch your legs and your pup’s (on leash), so much so we didn’t feel like we missed out on anything by not being parked with the big coaches along the river."
"It is right on the river so my husband was happy to be able to fish right behind our RV. We stayed in#33 which is on the end so we had more privacy and room."
"The bathrooms were up a bit of a hill where we were situated at the top of the campground but super clean and warm. Hot Showers too! There was a larger group cooking area and a table."
"Hot showers, community gas grill, restrooms, available. Not to mention great views"
"Small cabins and water/electric RV sites(<35’) are along the river. You do have to hike up a short hill to get to the bathroom/showers. Full hookup sites are on top of hill w/no river views."
"We’re Van camping in the lower campground, 50’ from the banks of the Colorado River. Electric & Water. Cabins avl. On the River and upper grounds."
$45 - $64 / night
"After driving 4-10 hour days from Canada in our 16’ travel trailer, staying at Harvest Hosts, we decided to stop here to prep and regroup for the next leg of our journey."
"Let’s just start with the only downside- this campground is not near Glenwood. It’s about 20-25 miles into Glenwood Springs from here. So just know that going into it and everything else is great."
"This very eclectic ranch has everything from buses turned apartments, RV parking and tent plots, tipi with a king bed. A unique approach to providing affordable places to stay."
"Last May my husband and I stayed at their super cozy cottage equipped with all we needed and more."
$25 - $170 / night
"You can tent camp amidst the apple trees (literally in the rows nestled under the trees), park your rig in a grassy field with picnic tables and fire pits, or even stay in a cabin."
"Our only complaint was that it was quite hot (topped out near 100 degrees)."
$15 / night
"The cabins are HA and have nice sidewalk paths from the parking lot. Inside a mini fridge, coffee maker, and a microwave are provided."
"We used a walk-in tent site. The trail for the sites was clear, clean, and the sites were the same. Bathroom was clean and did not smell at all, water from the spigot was clean and cool."
$50 - $150 / night
"Not your typical asphalt RV parking lot. Rarely can you find a full hookup site in a natural setting along a roaring creek."
"Very nice looking little cabins are available should you have forgotten your camping equipment. But they do ask you to bring your own linens!"
GuideThe cabins are HA and have nice sidewalk paths from the parking lot. Inside a mini fridge, coffee maker, and a microwave are provided. There are 2 bunks in the back and a plastic kitchen table in the "living space." The cabins have nice patio furniture on the front porch, which was a nice touch for a State Park. The outdoor picnic table and campfire area outside the cabin is large. The five cabins in this area are close together and you can view your neighbors but this was not a problem for us. (It would make for great a trip with extended family or friends.) One may consider the cabin pricey, but it was typical for a Colorado state park.
During our stay the bathrooms (vault toilets) near the cabins were so full of bees it was like Candyman was also staying the weekend. There are flush toilets and showers next to a small playground closer to the reservoir. A trail will take you from the cabins to the visitor center. While other areas of the park were not full during our stay, I imagine that at the peak of summer the boating and RVing is plenty.
TravelerHonestly, we were a little bit disappointed with our stay. Stayed in one of the riverside sites, thought they views and facilities were worth the expensive rate in summer. However, all picnic tables were removed (I assume) in order to make room for more sites. Meaning that you had nowhere to sit and eat - and you practically were sitting in your neighbor’s site when using the fire pit. The views of the river and the mountains were truly great, however, mostly masked by looking into the side of the rigs on either site. We had a 30ft RV and there was not much place to navigate - I would not recommend for rigs larger than that. Showers and bathrooms were ok, but could use an update (eg for more privacy - you step directly from the shower into the common area to dress/undress). Too bad the restaurant was closed to lack of staff - that would have been a great add-on. The staff was very friendly!
ScoutTent sites. Small cabins and water/electric RV sites(<35’) are along the river. You do have to hike up a short hill to get to the bathroom/showers. Full hookup sites are on top of hill w/no river views. WiFi with a few. Excellent Verizon signal. Very convenient to Glenwood Springs
GuideNot your typical asphalt RV parking lot. Rarely can you find a full hookup site in a natural setting along a roaring creek. The park has a variety of accommodations with full hookup sites, a “tent” section with electricity (lovely for small RVS as well) and log cabins. Many of the sites are along the creek as it meanders through the camp.
Location is great as well. Easy drive from I-70 but far enough to be out of town. Also a quick drive into Glenwood Springs.
New owners purchased park in April 2021 and are improving facilities while maintaining the natural feel. Check-in was easy even without reservations. The new owners are very friendly and welcoming.
GuideWe stayed in a camper van over a busy holiday and loved it! We were hoping for a peaceful getaway for us and our dog and found it at Kebler. Yes, some of the spaces are close together but everyone there made it work well. The angled spots and strategic landscaping help too. Plenty of grassy common areas to stretch your legs and your pup’s (on leash), so much so we didn’t feel like we missed out on anything by not being parked with the big coaches along the river. Even better since the large river spots had little/no natural shade (most seemed to have their own awnings that our van didn’t so no worries there I think for them). The tent spots were in a different area on the other side of the property a little away from the busier parts. They also had less shade but had level pads and but seemed closer to the bridge (and hiking). The community vibe was respectful and friendly and it was lovely to stroll about and enjoy it all. Families were out and about, playing with their children and trying different things to do. There was a little playground and some activities in a covered space like velcro axe throwing and corn hole. There were soccer goals set up at one of the grassy areas too. There was also a frisbee golf course, hammocks and picnic tables scattered around the property. A sign by the bathrooms invited camp guests to go gentle group hike if you meet at the bridge at the posted time in the morning. The general store was open during the day and had more than I expected (came for stickers and snacks, left with a game of Bananagrams and more). There wasn’t cell service but wifi worked well for what we needed. The bathrooms were clean and the water was warm. On a busy weekend you might need to use the portable toilets near the tent sites if the regular ones are occupied at a busy time. In the future, splitting the shower and toilet facilities might help with that long term, but I am not sure how hard (and expensive) that is to do in places that are tucked away into the mountains like this. We did use the coin laundry and that worked well. At the time of our visit it was $2 for the washer and $3.50 for the dryer. There was a variety of cute cabins for rent with a good range in size and cost - and some have own their bathroom and even little patio spaces. The hosts and staff were friendly and helpful, even doing trash pickup in the morning if you left it out at a certain time by your site. Kebler is in a beautiful setting, has thoughtfully-designed spaces and is carefully maintained. We would definitely come back - hopefully in a camper van / travel trailer or even just to stay in one of the cabins.
GuideNot wilderness camping by any means, but a fun stop for a road trip for sure! Big B’s has a full restaurant (the chili cheese fries were amazing), lots of cider varieties on tap and to go. Live music some nights.
You can tent camp amidst the apple trees (literally in the rows nestled under the trees), park your rig in a grassy field with picnic tables and fire pits, or even stay in a cabin. Shower house with flush toilets near the shop. The store sells firewood.
We had fun!
RangerAt Glenwood Canyon Resort you get to camp right on the Colorado River in a beautiful canyon but its definitely the most expensive tent camping I've ever paid for. Amenities are taken care of from the store at the check in station to the bar and grill that's on site. It has an awesome deck with a view of the canyon but I didn't get to enjoy it. When we checked in we were told it was pet friendly but when we went the bar tender told us our dogs weren't allowed and didn't seem happy to be there, so I had to go back to the campsite and eat and drink by myself. It's okay though because when my wife came back she said the food wasn't that great and they had no craft beer on tap. Aside from all that, the number of outdoor activities and place to see around here are endless, whitewater rafting, kayaking, skiing, mountain biking, climbing, hang gliding, disc golf, etc.......are all within a short car or bike ride and that's were all 3 stars are earned. Definitely worth it if your just passing through but there are many options around here if your staying for some time.
TravelerThe Gunnison KOA is in a beautiful setting with large trees that is about 75 yards from the river. The spaces are generously sized, although the camping sites could use power outlets. They are very kid and pet friendly; and have a dog park. There is a friendly donkey who roams the grounds, so make sure your 4 legged friends are okay around bigger animals. The bathrooms are clean and functional. The same could not be said for the dishwashing station that is outdoors. It is in horrible condition, including a dripping faucet. Also, be aware that you are very close to the river and there is a mosquito and moisture problem. Even with these minor problems, this is still a great place to stay.
TravelerAfter driving 4-10 hour days from Canada in our 16’ travel trailer, staying at Harvest Hosts, we decided to stop here to prep and regroup for the next leg of our journey. Full hook ups allowed us to flush our water systems, recharge all batteries and devices, and wait out some seriously nasty wind, like lift the trailer right off the ground wind (well felt like it I swear!). The place is super clean, easy to access, has great views and a helpful staff. Pet friendly with a small off-leash dog area even. Looks good for families too with a pool and water park, playground. Wifi was good and cell service at 2 bars. Not cheap but easy access to supplies and touristy spots.
Experience the charm of cabin camping near Gunnison National Forest, Colorado, where you can immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the comforts of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities do cabins in Gunnison National Forest provide compared to RV camping?
Cabins in the Gunnison area typically offer more creature comforts than RV camping. At Pioneer Campground — Vega State Park, cabins are handicap accessible with sidewalk paths from parking areas and include mini fridges, coffee makers, and microwaves. Inside, you'll find bunks and a kitchen table, plus patio furniture on the front porch. Elk Creek Campground offers log cabins in a natural setting along a creek, providing the rustic forest experience without sacrificing comfort. Unlike RV camping, cabins eliminate the need to bring and set up your own shelter while providing protection from weather and temperature fluctuations.
When is the best season to stay in a cabin in Gunnison National Forest?
Late spring through early fall (May-October) is the best season for cabin stays in Gunnison National Forest, with summer being peak season. Gunnison KOA offers cabins in a beautiful setting with large trees near the river, making it ideal for summer visits when you can enjoy outdoor activities in comfortable temperatures. Fall is another excellent time, with fewer crowds and beautiful foliage. Kebler Corner provides accommodations in an area known for spectacular fall colors. Winter access may be limited in many forest areas due to snow, though some lower-elevation cabins remain accessible with proper planning and winter driving skills.
Are there cabin rentals in Gunnison National Forest near Paonia, Colorado?
Yes, there are cabin rental options near Paonia in the Gunnison National Forest area. The Campground at Big B's Delicious Orchards offers unique accommodations near Paonia with access to amenities like a restaurant and cider varieties. For those looking specifically for forest cabin experiences, Sage View Ranch near Paonia provides reservable cabin accommodations with drive-in and walk-in access. While not all cabins are deep within the National Forest boundaries, these options provide comfortable lodging while exploring the Gunnison National Forest area.
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