Camping near Montrose, Colorado sits in the Uncompahgre Valley at roughly 5,800 feet elevation, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 50-90°F. The area experiences distinct seasons with snow possible October through April, while afternoon thunderstorms frequently occur during summer months. The surrounding terrain transitions from high desert to mountain forests, creating diverse camping conditions within a 30-mile radius.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 5-minute access. At Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground near Montrose, anglers can access multiple fishing spots within a short walk. "Great fishing in the tailwaters below the dam, 5 minute walk from campground to the river or two stocked ponds. River is catch and release," notes John D. The campground features a fish cleaning station that's "VERY well equipped making this an ideal place to teach kids to love fishing."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning best. Many campgrounds in the area provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. "We woke up to light snow just adding to the beauty," reports Patti M. who camped at South Rim Campground. Another camper mentions, "Deer roaming through the campground and one hung out by my site for awhile." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best viewing times.
Hiking options: Multiple difficulty levels. The North Rim Campground connects to several trails of varying difficulty. "There is also the trail to exclamation point and the top of Green mountain that begins at the ranger station just down the road if you are into hiking or trail running," writes Jon H. From South Rim Campground, "Rim Rock Trail and Uplands Trail (two mile roundtrip for each) lead to the visitor center."
What campers like
Remote quieter camping: Limited cell service. Many campers appreciate the quiet atmosphere at Black Canyon's campgrounds. "Got in pretty easy on a Tuesday at noon. The place was full by the evening. Access to a nice trail just under 4 miles. No cell service," reports Levi S. about South Rim. This remoteness provides a more isolated experience compared to in-town options.
Level camping spots: Location matters. Campsite selection can significantly impact your experience, especially in sloped terrain. At Dakota Terraces Campground, a visitor notes: "Needed all our levelers as the site is sloped downhill. Windy in the morning." Another camper advises: "The closer you get to the water the more leveling you will likely need to do if in an RV. There are level camp sites."
Dog-friendly amenities: Off-leash options. While most dog friendly campgrounds near Montrose require leashed pets, Riverbend RV Park & Cabins offers an off-leash dog park. "The dog park was great," mentions one reviewer, while another notes the overall pet-friendly atmosphere: "What sets this park apart from others is the owners and camp hosts... they even love dogs because they have an off-lease dog park."
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Bring layers. The elevation around Montrose creates variable weather conditions. "Be prepared for any type of weather. We had a wild thunder, lightning and wind storm with violent downdrafts—typical for this country," warns Deborah D. who camped at South Rim. The high elevation (8,200 feet) means nights can be cold even in summer.
Road conditions: High clearance recommended. Accessing Black Canyon Dispersed Camping requires navigating rough roads. "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," notes Grace S. Another camper advises: "As you approach the turnoff for the location take the second ramp in it is much smoother."
Reservation requirements: Plan ahead. Availability varies widely between campgrounds. "All reservations for all 75 available sites must be made through recreation.gov in advance (6 month rolling)," explains a volunteer host. "We've had multiple reports from guests saying that they saw something about C-loop being first-come, first-serve. That's just not the case."
Tips for camping with families
Bear safety: Use provided lockers. Many campgrounds in the Montrose area provide bear boxes. "Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and bear-proof lockers," notes one visitor. A ranger advised: "Even the clothes you cook in should go in the bear cabinet. Don't take any of that in to your tent. They can smell it and may greet you during the night."
Child-friendly activities: Structured options available. Meadows of San Juan Resort offers numerous activities for families. "There were tons of outside games- shuffleboard and basketball," notes one reviewer. Several campgrounds also feature playground areas, with Dakota Terraces noted for its "beautiful swimming beach, plenty of hiking trails."
Accessibility considerations: Check site details. When camping with family members who have mobility needs, carefully review site descriptions. At Pa-Co-Chu-Puk, "Loop H is part of Pa-Co-Chu-Puk site at Ridgway State Park... This loop deserves a special review since it is a totally different place than the other camp sites at the park. This is a Walk-in camp site for tents only and offers one handicap accessible site."
Tips from RVers
Hookup information: Verify before booking. South Rim Campground offers limited electric hookups. "Electric sites (22 of them for $34/night) have brand new 20/30/50 amp service," reports a volunteer host, while noting "There is drinking water available with bottle fill stations at each of the three loops...not something you can fill freshwater tanks from."
Site spacing: Varies by campground. RV campers report significant differences in site spacing between campgrounds. At Cedar Creek RV Park, a visitor noted: "Tight spot and dusty but staff nice. Was relatively quiet, but seemed 5 ft from next rv. No room for tow behind." In contrast, at Dakota Terraces, "The spacing of the sites is ample and most of the sites have covered picnic tables."
Long-term vs. overnight areas: Check placement. Several pet friendly RV parks near Montrose have dedicated areas for long-term residents. "There are seasonal sites also," notes one camper at Montrose KOA, while another reviewer mentions: "The sites around me had a lot of trees for shade and I was able to hang my hammock in my site. If you have a large RV or camper, there may not be a lot of sites that work for you."
