Best Tent Camping near Gunnison, CO

We originally had a tent site in Elk Ridge, but our friends with an RV couldn't get a site on that side of the park for the same dates.  Rather than have the 8 kids between us so far apart, we decided to get a tent site in Pa-Co.  We got #294, primarily because the tent sites are about 50 yards from the parking lot, and with 6 of us we haul a lot of stuff.  294 was one of the closest to the parking lot, with the downside it was also closest to the pit toilet.  If it was just two people with a couple backpacks this is a great location as you don't have any car noise and you're not hauling much, but for us it was a pain.

It was a beautiful view of the river from the site.  Sites are small and fairly close together but it was a quiet campground.  The bathroom wasn't a problem except for a couple of hours when it seemed like someone left a door open and the wind was blowing our direction.

Our tent is massive, and too big for the 10x10 space for tents at the site so we had to do some moving around but made it work.  I'd bring our smaller one next time.  The tent campground is well maintained and quiet, and the weather is great in the summer as the river keeps it cool.  The RV site our friend has didn't have a lot of trees and was close to the highway, so for just hanging out ours was preferable.  

Unfortunately the showers at the shower house about 100 yards away were closed due to COVID, but the weather is cool and dry mostly so not a big deal.  The shower house and laundry were very well kept, and the campground hosts were very friendly.   Firewood was $5 and I believe ice was only $1.  

The park overall was great.  We drove to the other parts to rent paddleboards and had a great time - very reasonably priced.   It worked well as a base for side trips, as Ouray and Ridgway were easy to get to, as was Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP.

An exceptional camping experience for our family. We go every summer and camp (in a tent) for about 10 days. The weather is superb and the trout is plentiful.

The greatest camping experience a family could possibly have! We go every summer and camp (in a tent) for about 10 days. The weather is perfect and the trout are plentiful!

The park is beautiful, covered in trees, almost all sites are shaded.  We have 103 RV Sites, 5 cabins and 6 tent sites.  Facilities include a clubhouse/office, pavillion, laundry facilities and a great bathroom/shower facility.  Located just 2 miles north of downtown Gunnison, just before the Gunnison River.

We also have the best internet in the area!!

This is a tent only site but it was great.  There is a host on-site who is very helpful.  The restrooms are very clean.  The tent sites are great and there is unlimited firewood.  We went into Crested Butte to eat one night and we drove over to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison as well.  Both were suggestions from our host.  We also went boating on Taylor lake.

Rv sites in lower meadow are great. We camped in a tent on weekend on site T12. AMAMZING river front meadow site. The last weekend we used a travel trailer and it rained all weekend so we were glad to have a trailer this time. The water is warm because it is below mt princeton hot springs.

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an incredible park - the history is incredible, but the views are awesome! Truly majestic. If you are tent camping, head on down to East Portal so you are right on the river, but if you are driving an RV. This is the place you want to be.

Not a lot of amenities, but you can get your rig parked easily and enjoy the views. One of the more incredible views you'll find in here.

We tent camped here on an amazing tent deck.  Our first experience with this!  We love this part of Colorado.  So many beautiful sites to see and things to do.  We have family to visit here, as well.

Stayed here in the month of August when you have to watch for those pesky but awesome thunderstorms.  

Well maintained campground with clean facilities.  We'll definitely be back!

Great spot, with lots of spaces RV, cabin and tent camping. Five minutes from Grand Lake Village where there is access to the Lake. A family of moose are often seen there.

Flies, no defined tent sites, some had tent areas but rain water ran right through them. Entire area smells very bad. Area was not maintained .weeds, grass etc no managed.

We had this campground all too our selves in late May as it was still rather cold out in the area but it was a great spot for tent camping. Lots of trails near by to explore.

Our family of 4 tent camped at this site. We were able to walk to the edge of the cliff and had a clear view of Lake San Cristobal. We had a creek running beside our campsite.

The tent sites are kind of centralized, not a lot of privacy. With that said, the sites were level and the facilities were fine. Good location, not far from crested butte.

Great spot for fishing, waking up to river sounds, and sage brush Mountain Views. Lots of four wheelers/RVs so if you’re looking for something more remote and tent only this is not the place! We used it as an overnight spot for tent camping between Leadville and crested butte and that worked perfectly.

This area is absolutely beautiful. There are a few tent camping spots at the bottom right before you cross the bridge. As you continue up the road past the bridge, there are 3 spots you can bring a small trailer to and a couple more tent spots. DO NOT bring your trailer past the 3rd spot up the road after the bridge. And do not drive up that section to the 3rd if it is already taken (scout ahead here, trust me). You won't be able to turn around and the road gets worse with no where to turn around and no spots. There are more places for tent camping the further up you go though but the road is not good so all-wheel or 4WD with clearance is needed. I pretty much only saw trucks and outbacks and 4runners making it up there.

Other than that, it's next to the water, the trees are good and healthy, near lots of hiking trails, (angels of shavano TH takes you up the most beautiful section of Colorado trail (': it was a butt kicker though), not great service but I had enough to send a text whenever I needed to. I spent 4 nights here and will 100000% be back. Loved it so much.

Arrived in the evening on a Friday and somehow got the last first come tent site. Very nice area, shaded and easy to fly fish in the morning. Bathrooms were nearby as well

I stayed in one of the walk in tent sites on the edge overlooking the lake. It was absolutely beautiful. The staff were very friendly and facilities were clean. I use Verizon and had full service available.

We spent 2 nights tent camping on site #15. Camp host was very friendly and site was nice and spacious. The tent pad had been raked/cleared prior to our arrival, which was nice. The campground is across the street from the river and it was nice to hear the rushing water. However, we could also hear (and see) passing cars on the main road.