The Grand Mesa near Molina, Colorado features over 300 lakes within a 65-mile area at elevations ranging from 8,000 to 11,000 feet. Temperatures can drop dramatically after sunset even during summer months, with nighttime temperatures frequently reaching the 30s-40s°F at higher elevations. Camping options vary significantly from lake-adjacent sites with maintained facilities to rustic dispersed camping without services.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 30+ accessible lakes within Grand Mesa National Forest offer trout fishing without crowds. At Jumbo Campground, campers report excellent catches: "We saw bald eagles, caught tons of rainbow trout," while another visitor noted "Sunset lake is walking distance to the campground and was a great spot for my paddle board."
Hiking access: Multiple interconnected trails span the forest and connect various lakes and viewpoints. The Twin Lake Dispersed Area serves as a strategic base for exploring. One camper described it as having "amazing views, light rain, and still my favorite forest." The area features established paths and user-created routes suitable for day hiking.
Wine tasting: Palisade vineyards located approximately 30 minutes from Molina provide a cultural complement to outdoor activities. A visitor at Palisade Basecamp mentioned "The resort may not be busy in the fall, but that just adds to the appeal of staying this season... And the best part: Colterris winery is right next door to walk to."
What campers like
Lake accessibility: Several campgrounds feature direct water access, highly valued by visitors. A camper at Island Lake Campground shared: "With how close the day use area is, we were able to just strap two paddle boards and a kayak to the roof of the truck and go back and forth."
Wildlife viewing: The Grand Mesa ecosystem supports diverse wildlife. At Cobbett Lake, one visitor reported that site 9 "is next to the hiking trail and the wildlife is all around. Morning deer to chipmunks." Bird enthusiasts frequently spot eagles and waterfowl around the lakes.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting, particularly at campgrounds that restrict OHV use. As one camper at Cobbett Lake noted, "This was a quiet spot that we enjoyed. There weren't any ATV's allowed so that really helped this spot stay quiet. Some of the other campgrounds do allow them and they buzz through the campground all night, not this one."
What you should know
Bug pressure: Insects, particularly mosquitoes, are frequently mentioned as a significant consideration. One visitor to Island Lake Campground warned: "watch out for the mosquitos!" Another camper at Pyramid Rock Camp found "LOTS of gnats. OFF didn't help so we ended up just sitting in the tent. After dark they went away!"
Temperature fluctuations: 30-40°F temperature drops between day and night are common. A camper at Ward Lake Campground advised: "Be prepared to put a cover on your tent as intermittent thunderstorms come up out of no where." Layered clothing is essential even in summer.
Road conditions: Access roads to some of the best places to camp near Molina vary significantly. When visiting Pyramid Rock Camp, a camper noted: "The road was well kept and any vehicle could make it. There were so many amazing spots." However, other areas require higher clearance vehicles.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several lakes offer designated swimming areas with variable temperatures. At Island Acres Section, one visitor shared: "The fishing lakes, swimming lake and playground are all fun aspects my family enjoys." Swimming areas typically lack lifeguards and water clarity varies seasonally.
Tent site selection: Many campgrounds feature multi-level designs that may challenge families with young children. A camper at Palisade Basecamp observed: "Really great spot but prepare to roll. All of the tent pads seem to be at a pretty wicked slope, including ours."
Seasonal planning: School breaks align well with fishing conditions in early summer. A camper at Little Bear Campground shared: "We went searching for a free camping spot near Gunnison and got horribly stuck in mud on roads that were too awful for our car, even with 4wheel drive. So after a stressful day, we finally came to this campground and found paradise."
Tips from RVers
Space limitations: Larger rigs face access challenges at some of the best camping areas near Molina. A visitor to Ward Lake Campground observed: "The upper part is old school FS, narrow roads, small sites, lots of trees...not a good place for larger TYs or RVs. Best for tenters, Vans, small Class Cs."
Hookup availability: Electric hookups are limited to specific campgrounds, with full-service sites concentrated in lower elevations. At Island Acres Section, a camper reported: "Great little campground off of I-70. They have no hookups, electric only and full hookups. Great service with Tmobile. Enough open space for starlink as well."
Alternative route planning: Navigation apps sometimes suggest problematic routes for RVs. One RVer at Pyramid Rock Camp warned: "It was a great spot once I finally found it. Waze took me through privately owned land. Google had it right." Local forest service maps often provide more reliable routing information.
