Best Tent Camping near Gunnison, CO
Tent camping options surround Gunnison, Colorado throughout the Gunnison National Forest and along the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir. Sites like Campfire Ranch on the Taylor offer tent-only camping with established sites, while Granite Tent Campground provides streamside tent pads near Almont. Additional primitive sites can be found along National Forest roads, particularly in the Cochetopa Canyon Recreation Area and near Taylor Canyon where dispersed camping is permitted.
Most Gunnison area tent campgrounds feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Campfire Ranch provides unlimited firewood, potable mountain water, and clean restrooms, making it suitable for first-time campers. Sites at Red Creek Campground include picnic tables and toilets but lack trash service. Primitive tent sites typically offer minimal facilities. Seasonal access is important to note, with most established campgrounds operating from May through mid-October. Several tent camping areas require walk-in access, including parts of Campfire Ranch, where vehicles remain in designated parking areas separate from the tent sites.
The terrain around tent sites in the Gunnison area ranges from level forest clearings to more rugged settings alongside creeks and rivers. Many sites offer access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and mountain biking routes. Campers at Campfire Ranch often use it as a base for exploring nearby Doctor Park trails or taking day trips to Crested Butte, about an hour's drive away. According to one visitor, "Perhaps the best campground... this may be the most thoughtful, scenic, and clean campground I've ever visited. With fresh, cold and clean mountain water for drinking!" Sites near Blue Mesa Reservoir provide water recreation opportunities but may experience highway noise, while forest campsites offer more seclusion and cooler temperatures during summer months.
