Gunnison sits at an elevation of 7,700 feet in western Colorado's Gunnison Valley, where summer temperatures average 75-80°F during the day and drop to 40-45°F at night. Winter camping is limited due to snowfall and subfreezing temperatures, with most rv campgrounds in Gunnison, Colorado operating seasonally from May through October. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with stronger signals typically available in locations closer to town.
What to do
Fishing access: Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch provides easy access to world-class fishing opportunities. "World Class fishing in the Gunnison River as well as Blue Mesa Reservoir," noted one visitor who stayed throughout summer 2024. The reservoir is known for kokanee salmon and lake trout.
Wildlife viewing: Look for local wildlife around campgrounds during early morning or dusk. "We even saw a moose," shared a visitor at Monarch Spur RV Park & Campground, adding that "the stars are amazing here" due to minimal light pollution at its 8,000-foot elevation.
Water activities: Blue Mesa Reservoir offers swimming, boating, and paddling during summer months. "We loved our stay here! There is an indoor and outdoor pool, playground, cool mini golf set up, horses, and a lake for kids to fish in," reported one visitor about Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch, highlighting additional on-site recreational options.
Day trips: Use Gunnison as a base for exploring nearby destinations. "Great location to access a ton of hiking, boating, etc... Definitely coming back to use for a break from all the many boondocking places," wrote one visitor about Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch. Another mentioned it as "a great place to explore from into the many surrounding popular locations" with "Gunnison 25 minutes out, Crested Butte an hour, Ouray, Silverton, Lake City, Arkansas River Wilderness all an hour to 90 minutes away."
What campers like
Shade availability: Mountain Time RV Park & Cabins offers significantly more tree cover than other area campgrounds. "This campground is nestled among giant cottonwood trees and small pond," noted one camper. Another mentioned it's "nestled in a beautiful section of forest with a pond on site," providing relief from summer heat.
Clean facilities: Most Gunnison area campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. "Clean bathrooms and showers. It's a private campground.... So pricey@ $90 per night," reported one visitor at Mountain Time RV Park. Another guest at the same location appreciated the "reliable hook ups, clean facilities, and very friendly staff."
Family amenities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to families with children. "There is an indoor and outdoor pool, playground, cool mini golf set up, horses, and a lake for kids to fish in," shared one visitor about Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch. At Gunnison KOA, families appreciate that "they are very kid and pet friendly; and have a dog park. There is a friendly donkey who roams the grounds."
Natural setting: Many campgrounds balance convenience with natural surroundings. "This campground is nestled in a beautiful section of forest with a pond on site. Great walking around the park for our pups," noted a visitor at Mountain Time RV Park. At Elk Creek Campground, one visitor shared that "sites were far enough apart" though "there wasn't any privacy however due to no trees."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer afternoons often bring wind and occasional thunderstorms. "Afternoons always seemed to get pretty windy too," noted a visitor at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch. At high elevations, "high altitude means cool to cold nights," observed a camper at Monarch Spur RV Park.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "There is no Cellular service at this Campground. They have Wi-Fi, but I cannot attest to its strength or reliability; I use Starlink," reported a visitor at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch. Another noted "The only thing I have against Thousand Trails Blue Mesa is the lack of internet. To have internet, you must have Starlink or a satellite dish."
Highway noise: Several campgrounds are situated near main highways. At Elk Creek Campground, "This campground is right off the highway so it's a little noisy at night." Another visitor confirmed "the spots are a little tight for the tents so I felt like I was right next to the neighbors. The highway was also right next to it so you could hear the cars go by all night."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Gunnison require advance bookings during peak season (June-August). "We only needed electric hook up for our RV and it is small and even though all their RV sites were booked up they let us stay in a tenting spot for cheap with an electric box," shared a visitor at Mountain Time RV Park, suggesting flexibility for smaller units even during busy periods.
Tips for camping with families
Animal attractions: Kids often enjoy the domestic animals at certain campgrounds. "The highlight of the stay was our visit by the resident goats—only two of the three like cauliflower. There's also donkeys in a corral that get constant attention from guests," noted a visitor at Gunnison KOA. Another mentioned they "have a dog park. There is a friendly donkey who roams the grounds."
Swimming options: Black Canyon RV Park & Campground and other facilities provide water recreation for children. At Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch, one visitor reported "We had such a relaxing stay! 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."
Evening activities: Some campgrounds offer organized events. One visitor at Monarch Spur noted "they even host occasional concerts," while another at Elk Creek Campground mentioned "nightly events at the amphitheater," providing entertainment options for families.
Weather preparation: Pack clothing for significant temperature variations. "High altitude means cool to cold nights," noted a camper at Monarch Spur RV Park. Families should bring warm clothing even during summer months when nighttime temperatures can drop to the 40s.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many RV parks offer different site options with varying advantages. "There are two levels of RV spots here, a basic back in option and a more premium spot they charge a bit more for in the back of the park by the ponds," advised an RVer about Mountain Time RV Park. At Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch, "try out the wilderness area. It is in the same resort but feels more like forested camp ground but can't take RVs over 30 feet, perhaps shorter."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for optimal positioning. At Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch, "the back in sites are fairly level. Some need a wedge level to bring your rig closer to level," shared one RV camper who stayed throughout summer 2024.
Spacing considerations: Site proximity varies between campgrounds. "The dig is that you will be backed up and beside other campers. By this, I mean their rigs will be within 20 feet of you," cautioned an RVer about Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch. In contrast, at Mountain Time RV Park, "sites are larger than many campgrounds," according to one visitor.
Technical specifications: Pay attention to power availability and site dimensions when booking. At Gunnison Lakeside Resort, "most sites are for motor homes with full hookups," while at Black Canyon RV Park, "we reserved a campsite for our 31' travel trailer" with success, noting "the grounds were very well kept."
