Camping spots near Lazear, Colorado position visitors between the dramatic Black Canyon of the Gunnison and fertile North Fork Valley agricultural lands. This high desert region sits at approximately 5,000-6,000 feet elevation with summer temperatures frequently reaching 90°F during day and dropping to 50°F at night. Seasonal conditions vary drastically with frequent afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August.
What to do
Fishing at riverside sites: Cottonwood Grove Campground offers direct river access with specialized facilities. "There is a handicap accessible pier for fishing, although this weekend it hosted a wedding, albeit small, it was still there. Very quiet little event, I slept through it," notes Melissa K. about the dedicated fishing infrastructure.
Stargazing opportunities: The remote locations provide exceptional night sky viewing away from light pollution. At North Rim Campground — Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, campers experience "absence of light pollution means awesome night skies," according to Deborah D., who also mentions the campground sits at 8,200 feet elevation.
Explore canyon trails: Many campgrounds connect to hiking networks of varying difficulty. At Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, Luke R. reports: "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."
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Several camping areas feature regular wildlife sightings. Tori K. at South Rim Campground notes, "Deer roaming through the campground and one hung out by my site for awhile."
River access: Waterfront sites remain popular across multiple locations. "We got lucky enough to get a concrete pad site since everything else was already taken and it gets held for HA unless it's the last available. Lots of fish jumping and can watch beavers swimming in and out of the marsh in the evening," explains Reames C. about Iron Creek Campground.
Orchard camping experience: For a unique alternative to standard camping, some visitors choose fruit orchards. Laura S. describes the unusual setup at Big B's Delicious Orchards: "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."
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads require proper vehicles. Grace S. warns about Black Canyon Dispersed Camping: "Some of the roads were really rutted out, but we were lucky and everything was dry so we were able to get thru in my forester. There are some spots at the beginning of the property but there are more if you follow the dirt road back another two miles or so."
Seasonal temperature extremes: Higher elevation sites experience dramatic temperature shifts. Dave K. notes Cottonwood Grove Campground "can be used all seasons as it rarely gets snow," though he cautions about road safety when wet.
Limited services: Many sites lack basic amenities. Sky B. emphasizes at South Rim Campground: "There is drinking water available with bottle fill stations at each of the three loops. This is a difficult place to get water to, and so this is low pressure bottle fill only; not something you can fill freshwater tanks from."
Tips for camping with families
Look for shaded sites: Summer heat can be intense throughout the region. Carrie R. shares about Iron Creek Campground: "We used a sun shade with a tarp on one side that we would keep rotating during the day to create shade. The sun is unbearable here for a whole weekend without some shade!"
Bring activity options: Many campgrounds offer built-in recreation. Greg from Big B's notes: "Our kids aged 8 and 11 absolutely loved the big tree swings."
Reserve early for weekends: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer. Jordan L. advises about North Rim Campground: "I arrived right at 1 to make sure I could get a spot the Friday of Father's Day weekend. By 5:30, all the spots were full and were full earlier the following night, so be sure to arrive early."
Tips from RVers
Watch campsite dimensions: Site lengths vary considerably between campgrounds. Mary S. advises at South Rim Campground: "If you have a large RV or camper, there may not be a lot of sites that work for you, check the photos and use the length filter when looking at sites!"
Consider senior-specific options: Some locations cater to older travelers. Gordon D. notes about Uncompaghre River Resort: "This is a 50+ community - for the first time I was really glad I was in my fifties. Paved roads throughout, large cement pads for the trailer and large concrete patios off each pad. Grass otherwise covers the site. Sites are large, no issues to fit my 43' 5th wheel and Truck."
Book early for hookup sites: Electrical connections remain limited at many locations. Cindy D. mentions South Rim Campground, "Campsite had electric, and firefighters, and picnic table. No water is avaliable in the park or campgrounds so be prepared."
