Hotchkiss, CO is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Hotchkiss is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Hotchkiss and user-submitted reviews.
$20 - $34 / night
"The South Rim Campground is similar to other national park campground in that it provides convenient access to park activities and trails, but it stands apart due to the fact that the camping fees are"
"Most of the outer sites are tucked into the forest so there is a decent level of privacy. Lots of deer frequent the area, we saw several on each trip."
"Great location right next to the park! There are plenty of sites and the views are beautiful. Entrance was slightly rutted so make sure you can off-road just a bit!"
"A few minutes outside the south gate of the park. Multiple sites, most of which are on dirt. Paths to and from can be a bit rough for most passenger vehicles. But it’s quite and close to the park."
$36 / night
"Great view of the lake but the lake level was down so we weren't as close as you could be but still a great lake & mountain view. I have Verizon I had 2 to 3 bars & could stream Pandora."
"Many vineyards close by. Joe Cocker (rock singer) had a ranch nearby."
$20 / night
"Driving through Colorado in the fall there is nothing which can compare. "
"Camped one night on our road trip throughout southwestern Colorado. Campsites over look the canyon."
"This campground is a gem as other reviewers have cited, BUT the road in is dangerous when wet as there is a lot of exposure off the edge. An AWD would be ok but still dicey on the downhills."
"Plenty of distance between campsites. No electricity or water. 1 satellite toilet... and a great fishing dock and a small beach."
"Hiking trails nearby. Multiple campgrounds along the road but the road is bumpy and one way so occasionally someone has to pull over to let others pass."
"It's one car width and has some drop offs next to it but people were driving RVs on the road. Managed it fine in a Honda HR-V. Might be tough if it's muddy."
$25 - $170 / night
"Campsites are a small piece of grassy area next to a pond or on an outside loop. Portable toilets only. Traffic noise at night."
"Our only complaint was that it was quite hot (topped out near 100 degrees)."
"Breathing mountain views, walking distance to the town and wine tasting, hanging with goats and chickens, peaceful, safe and definitely relaxing."
"Location is hard to beat."
$20 / night
"down the road, you park in the sites facing the river, and walk your stuff down a little embankment to very cool, quiet, shady sites that I really liked."
"There are fifteen spots, 7 of those have drive in access, the other 8 are a park and walk down a small embankment - but oh, what a setting - set in a grove of trees, it was beautiful."
"from the main road but very quiet. we arrived at night and there was plenty of spots. we camped in the car just for the night but plenty of flat land for tents and we say a fire pit. only a 15 minute drive"
GuideFound this place late afternoon and fell in love with Gunnison National Forest! Lost Lake was right across the road from where we camped. Found a beautiful spot with a great view! Most of the other spots were taken so we were blessed. Can't wait to go back again.
TravelerThere are very clean vault toilets available and each site has a fire pit
GuideStayed with some friends at the upper group site for the weekend. Easy access to mountain bike trails and the greater Carbondale area. During our stay in June, the upper loop was overrun by grazing cattle. Solid choice for those looking to explore the Roaring Fork Valley without breaking the bank. No water. Pit toilet in each loop. FCFS.
GuideThis is an Awesome CG heading down off Kebler Pass! I arrived mid-day Friday and plenty of sites available! It’s a smaller, clean CG right along the river! There’s hiking trails near by also - a great find!
TravelerThis is for day use (front site) and group camping (back area) only. I called and asked how to pay for the site and was told that info, and he said for camping to go further up the forestry road... plenty of spots to fit any size rig
Scoutthis site was easy to find and not too far from the main road but very quiet. we arrived at night and there was plenty of spots. we camped in the car just for the night but plenty of flat land for tents and we say a fire pit. only a 15 minute drive to the black canyon national park north rim. note: signs say no camping 12/1-7/15
TravelerThere are three places to stay in this park, the Dakota Loops, the Elk Ridge Terraces, and Pa Co Chu Puk down the road.
The last of the three has zero climb, and likely most useful for very large RV’s.
I stayed at Dakota last year and like it so much I came back this year. The closer you get to the water (find a map online) the more leveling you will likely need to do if in an RV. There are level camp sites.
I drove up to Elk Ridge this trip. More trees up there. Pretty.
All three campgrounds have showers. Elk appears to have a play set.
Be aware if you reserve online, the camping fee does not include an entrance fee. If you’re staying a night or two, pay daily. After that, buy an annual pass.
ScoutIt was a great spot once I finally found it. Waze took me through privately owned land. Google had it right. There’s a T in the road just outside of De Beque. Don’t go on the road marked no outlet! Make the right instead.
ScoutI brought my dog up there yesterday. We car camped overnight without any issues. Only saw a couple of cars, and one group camped 3/4 mile from me. I had a lovely time checking out the bouldering and climbing. While there we couldn't find a clean or easy route to the top of the hill, it made for an interesting charge over loose impediments and various cliff bands. If you go this route, I recommend hiking boots and a pretty good level of mountaineering ability as you could potentially slip or get in a tough cliff band.
Only bummer is that there is no burn season right now (mid-August), so we just enjoyed the night sky.
Camping near Hotchkiss, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Hotchkiss, Colorado, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at campgrounds around Hotchkiss, Colorado?
Campgrounds around Hotchkiss offer varying levels of amenities. Mountain Time RV Park & Cabins provides full RV hookups in a beautifully maintained setting. Jumbo Campground offers fire pits, access to two lakes, and proximity to hiking and mountain biking trails. Several campgrounds feature basic amenities like pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. For more upscale options, KOAs in the region provide showers, laundry facilities, and WiFi. BLM Cottonwood Grove offers more primitive camping with vault toilets. Some locations like Lost Lake Campground balance natural settings with basic facilities. Water availability varies by location, so it's advisable to bring your own, especially at dispersed camping areas.
Where are the best camping spots near Hotchkiss, Colorado?
The Hotchkiss area offers diverse camping experiences in Colorado's Western Slope. Clear Fork Campground — Crawford State Park provides excellent water access for boating and fishing with sandy beaches and walking trails. For those seeking a unique experience, The Campground at Big B's Delicious Orchards offers camping among fruit trees near Hotchkiss. Other notable options include Kebler Corner along the river for fishing enthusiasts, Owl Creek Pass for mountain views and waterfall settings, and Iron Creek Campground for drive-in access with water hookups. For a more secluded experience, dispersed camping is available at Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area.
What is the best time of year to camp near Hotchkiss, Colorado?
The prime camping season near Hotchkiss runs from late spring through early fall. Lost Lake Campground is particularly beautiful during wildflower season in July and August. Oh Be Joyful Campground offers excellent conditions in early October with amazing views and comfortable weather. Summer provides reliable access to higher elevation sites with warm days and cool nights. Early autumn brings spectacular color as aspen trees turn golden, especially along Kebler Pass. Lower elevation sites near Crawford State Park can be accessible from April through October. Winter camping is limited due to snow and closed access roads at many locations. Always check current conditions before heading out as mountain weather can change rapidly in any season.
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