Uncompahgre National Forest Thistledown Campground
Unit 8 is the best. Next to a stream. Only a restroom. Bring exerything you need otherwise.
8 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Montrose RV campgrounds offer full hookup options with varied site dimensions and amenities, making the area a practical base for exploring southwest Colorado by motorhome or trailer. Riverbend RV Park & Cabins operates from April 15 to October 15 with full hookup sites including 50-amp electrical service. Centennial RV Park features 60 sites with water, sewer, and electric hookups, though alcohol is prohibited on the grounds. Cedar Creek RV Park accommodates large motorhomes with pull-through sites and offers 50-amp service for power-hungry rigs. KOA Montrose RV Resort provides sewer, water, and electric connections with a dump station on premises. Sites at many parks have gravel surfaces with limited spacing between neighbors. "The sites are level concrete pad with full hook up. Most spots have shade and space between on the outer ring is about 10 feet each side," noted one visitor about Uncompaghre River Resort.
Several RV parks in the region remain open year-round, while others close during winter months. Black Canyon RV Park & Campground operates seasonally from May through November, offering big rig access with full hookups. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with some parks providing reliable connectivity and others experiencing limited coverage. Four Seasons River Inn & RV Park maintains six sites with full hookups, though one camper mentioned, "Could not park our tow vehicle at our site, but got a spot nearby across the road." Pet policies generally allow dogs with standard leash requirements. When traveling between parks, be aware that mountain roads may present navigation challenges for larger motorhomes, particularly on routes to Ouray and Ridgway. Dump stations are available at most parks, though winter visitors should verify water availability as some facilities winterize their systems during colder months.
"The staff were extremely friendly, this sites were clean, dog park great, river amazing, and location to Montrose perfect.
The laundry rooms was clean with new equipment.""My girlfriend and I took a trip to Utah in January and found ourselves in a snowy Montrose en route to Moab."
from $42 - $149 / night
"Super clean Park, bathrooms, laundry. Well maintained. Very Spacious pull thru rv spaces. Long green dog walk area. Surrounded by fields. Views of the San Juan mountain range."
"Was getting 30mbps on AT&T. 15 mins from Ridgeway and Montrose."
"This RV park is close to a bowling alley and several restaurants. It's great for a quick stay. There does appear to be many long-term residents, but they are separate from the retro campers."
"Wifi and T-Mobile service are good. Park is clean and front desk people are friendly and helpful."
"Pretty campground with grass at the sites, a river a short walk away (there's a good portion of the campground with riverside sites, but limited for larger rigs)."
"Overnighted before a hike into Browns Canyon (30 min away) and found everything that most RVers would want in basic accommodations in the high country."
Campground full next weekend
"We reserved a campsite for our 31' travel trailer at the end of May. The location was beautiful and though it was right off of the highway, we felt very safe and the campground was quiet."
"WiFi works great! Host was so nice! Very well cared for grounds and the view is astounding! Unbelievable value for the money."
"Nestled in a valley with beautiful view next to Uncompahgre River with wonderful walking path. Gravel parking right off hwy 550. Laundry, showers, restaurant."
"Gorgeous views and they have some some huge pull through sites for big rigs."
from $50 - $99 / night
"Friendly people and great location. Walking distance to everything in town. Reasonable price. They don't do discounts so Good Sam's etc is not needed. Wifi is not good but cell signal is good."
"Town and the pool are within walking distance, showers are great and there are coin operated laundry facilities. Ice and propane available."
from $28 - $90 / night
"Very friendly staff, clean facilities and grounds. Only complaint is several (3) washers are out of order."
"I brought my new pop up here for the first use as a test run."
from $59 - $69 / night
from $45 - $50 / night
Unit 8 is the best. Next to a stream. Only a restroom. Bring exerything you need otherwise.
Great spot just off the main road. Nice canyon views
Very muddy but easily found a spot. Not crowded at all (granted it is mid to late October but still).
This is pretty easy to find on the right.
The first sites are pretty easy to get to: as soon as you leave the private property and enter the national forest, there is a ridge with a large dirt lot and a sign for last dollar road. This is where we stayed, there’s a few spots in the trees a little, or you can park right on the ridge. Any further up the road and it gets more technical.
All the amenities you could ask for and right on the river! Very clean, very friendly staff. A camp store like I’ve never seen before- literally anything you can think of they have in stock from ice cream to full meals, fishing poles, sweat shirts you name it. Oh and as we pulled in we spotted not one but two bear cubs !!!
Spots can be a bit close together depending on area. There is outdoor kitchen and I washed our dishes there, showers were very hot (unless someone has used it recently, it might take a quarter to get warm but we got showers in with 3 quarters), bathrooms clean & a bit small, clubhouse was clean and you can cook in it (did not look for utensils in that kitchen). Coffee pot was hot. Good places for dogs to go (although we picked up others' poops everyday so we doubled as poop fairy despite there being lots of poop bag locations). Had space with electric, water, and sewer. Spots that are closest to pasture (park parallel to its fence) have very nice views. Glamping tents looked nice, some 'tiny house' cabins (did not stay in either). Would stay again and probably would pick a 'view spot' next to the pasture.
When we went there were many spots just off the road. The road noise quiets down after 6ish.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison Arrived about 1720, long interesting farm drive from Garfield area. Site 31 in Loop A, pull through, mostly level, bear locker, nice table and fire pit.
1/2” size gravel for site. Pit toilets are close and clean, not as clean as some of the national forests sites we stayed at.
T-Mobile no connection SOS.
The fire pit was about 1/2 full of debris. Ok to have a fire but we opted not to since the wind was blowing.
I think they should limit the trails between sites to keep it more private. Just walk on the road.
Bugs, bees and sweat bees. Water was available but limited.
Definitely need a day or more on the south and north rim to fully appreciate the beauty of the area.
The rangers who led the astronomers night were phenomenal. An excellent presentation of the stars, Milky Way and constellations.
Camping near Montrose, Colorado takes place at an elevation of approximately 5,800 feet, with sites available at various elevations across the surrounding mountains. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-90°F, dropping significantly at night even during warmer months. The region experiences a semi-arid climate with low humidity and limited rainfall, making it suitable for camping from late spring through early fall.
Fishing access: At Riverbend RV Park & Cabins, the riverside location offers prime fishing spots. "Beautiful location next to the Fort Umcompahgre River with easy access to trails for biking. The sites and grounds are well maintained and large," notes Sarah S. Fishing enthusiasts can access both river and pond options for varied experiences.
Mountain biking trails: Several trails connect directly from campgrounds in the area. "We loved our stay here! There is an indoor and outdoor pool, playground, cool mini golf set up, horses, and a lake for kids to fish in," reports Katie B. about Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch. Cyclists can access both beginner and intermediate trails within minutes of many sites.
Riverside walking: The Uncompahgre River Trail provides scenic walking routes accessible from several campgrounds. "We loved the trail into town - an easy walk to the hot springs pool or to grab something to eat," writes Delci L. about the riverside path near Ouray. Walking trails range from flat, paved paths to more rugged terrain depending on location.
Off-season tranquility: Visiting during shoulder seasons provides quieter experiences with more space. "Such a peaceful campground during shoulder season. The river and pond are were very nice to sit by and observe nature. The Canada geese families were fun to watch," writes Mary F. about her stay at Riverbend RV Park & Cabins.
Varied site options: Different campgrounds offer distinctive layouts for different preferences. "Very spacious pull thru rv spaces. Long green dog walk area. Surrounded by fields. Views of the San Juan mountain range," explains Victoria K. about Centennial RV Park. Sites range from riverside spots to more sheltered locations away from wind.
Convenient town access: Many campers appreciate the ability to walk or bike to nearby amenities. "This campground is a great place to stay if you want to be walking distance to everything in Ouray. Once settled in we didn't use the truck to travel anywhere for three days," notes Keith S. about 4J + 1+ 1 RV Park, highlighting how accessible services can be from select locations.
Seasonal road closures: Highway 50 between Montrose and Gunnison often has construction delays or closures. "The woman at the desk helped explain the bizarre road closure schedule during weekday hours on US-50 btw Montrose and Gunnison (what a mess)," shares Jeff T. about his experience at KOA Montrose RV Resort. Check current road conditions before planning travel routes.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by campground and location. "Cell service with Verizon and T-Mobile is non-existent. Park has wifi but it is very slow and not reliable. Hot spot at main building works well," reports Sydney R. about Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch. Many rv sites near Montrose, Colorado have limited cellular reception.
Wind considerations: Afternoon winds can be substantial in certain locations. "Afternoons always seemed to get pretty windy too," notes Katie B. about Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch. Sites with natural windbreaks or structures provide more protection during typical afternoon gusts.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Dedicated fishing areas for younger anglers provide accessible experiences. "This is also a fishing pond for kids under 12. They can keep 2 fish," mentions Sydney R. about the facilities at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch. Many sites also offer streamside access for supervised fishing.
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain play areas for children. "There is an indoor and outdoor pool, playground, cool mini golf set up, horses, and a lake for kids to fish in," writes Katie B. about the recreational offerings at Blue Mesa. Playgrounds typically remain open from dawn until dusk.
Pool facilities: Swimming options vary across different RV parks near Montrose. "We had such a relaxing stay at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch! One of the major highlights for us was the amazing pool setup—both indoor and outdoor pools were clean, well-maintained, and perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring," shares Jessica S. Pool availability typically runs from late May through early September.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites near Montrose, Colorado have varying distances between neighbors. "The sites are very close together but this is expected at a property like this in the middle of town," explains Keith S. about 4J + 1+ 1 RV Park. End sites or corner locations typically offer more buffer space.
Parking logistics: Some RV parks have limited parking for tow vehicles. "Could not park our tow vehicle at our site, but got a spot nearby across the road," mentions Melody C. about Four Seasons River Inn & RV Park. Advance questions about vehicle storage can prevent complications upon arrival.
Seasonal amenity changes: Winter visitors should verify water availability. "The sites and grounds are well maintained and large. Bathrooms are updated with hot showers," explains Sarah S. about Riverbend RV Park & Cabins. Water systems at many parks operate seasonally, with limited or no availability during winter months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Montrose, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Montrose, CO is Riverbend RV Park & Cabins with a 4.8-star rating from 8 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 175 RV camping locations near Montrose, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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