315 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The mountainous terrain surrounding Powderhorn, Colorado encompasses diverse camping opportunities within the Gunnison National Forest and along the Blue Mesa Reservoir. Established sites like Elk Creek Campground provide water and electric hookups for RVs, while Hartman Rocks Recreation Area offers free dispersed camping with more primitive conditions. Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch extends the camping season from May through mid-October with cabin options alongside traditional tent and RV sites. The region's camping landscape ranges from developed facilities with full amenities to remote backcountry locations where self-sufficiency is essential, all set against the backdrop of the West Elk Mountains.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping accessibility, with most campgrounds operating from late May through early October. Many forest roads become impassable during spring runoff or after early fall snowstorms. As one camper noted about Elk Creek Campground, "The night sky is awesome. Several hiking trails near to enjoy as well as off-road exploring in the surrounding National Forest. Fly fishing in the Gunnison as well as great fishing and swimming in Blue Mesa Reservoir is a short walk or drive." Elevation in the area typically ranges from 7,000 to 10,000 feet, resulting in cool nights even during summer months. Cell service remains limited or non-existent at most camping locations, particularly in dispersed areas and more remote established campgrounds.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with sites near Blue Mesa Reservoir and along the Gunnison River being particularly sought after. Campers frequently mention the quality of fishing opportunities, with trout fishing in the Gunnison River highlighted as exceptional. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, elk, and various bird species. Some campgrounds report issues with small rodents, with one visitor at Elk Creek advising: "Use cotton balls soaked in mint oil under the hood of vehicles to deter from wires being chewed." Sites at Red Bridge Campground are noted for being "real tight, less than 5 feet apart," though the riverside location provides "nice white noise." The proximity to recreational activities like hiking, fishing, and boating serves as the primary draw for most visitors to the area.
"You are in close proximity to other campers as is usual in a BLM or NFS campground. Not an issue really. There is a rodent issue at the camp."
"Our campsite was number 7 (on a clearing surrounded by a creek with a few other campsites). Campsites are close in proximity, but we had awesome campers around us who we befriended."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability"The location shown looks like it’s super far out but you can find campgrounds pretty close to the entrance(10 minutes from parking lot)."
"There are a few camping spots close to the entrance that are accessible by smaller vehicles, they are decently spaced out. We have T-Mobile and had a solid 2 bars and LTE at campsite M-10."
"This campground is west of Gunnison, Colorado across from Blue Mesa Reservoir. No cell service, but they have free wifi. The wifi is slow and when it's busy doesn't work well."
"It is a great place to explore from into the many surrounding popular locations."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Nice campground just off highway. Located along beautiful river. No wifi, cell signal limited, hand pump for drinking water working. Clean pit toilets. Most spots taken the Wednesday night we stayed."
"I wanted to go for a long run but the trail is only just over a mile and then you hit tall grass (and I did see a baby snake, it had a baby trout in its mouth it was half way trough eating), so I did not"
"Great location for area activities, nice pretty green grass for dogs, bathroom and showers are clean but definitely need an over haul."
"The CG is not in the best location right next to the municipal airport but makes up for it with lush green grass throughout and an open feel. "
"It is nice to be close to the river but you have a hard time escaping you neighbors view. We did luck out and get the only site that was outside the circle drive and also on the river."
"Very close to the lake and was beautiful. Liked that they take reservations."
"I realized while driving to Telluride that I wasn’t going to make it to my next camp by dark and that I needed to find some place asap to set up for the night."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"It’s also right next to the county road so cars can be seen and heard passing by. Traffic can be heavyish on weekends but a great place for the night on a weekday."
"So many off road paths, plenty of camping even for my 20ft camper and lots of rock climbing! So excited to come back!"
"I got out here around 7:30 and got the first one I could find, there’s a bunch of roads so it’s kind of a pick your own adventure deal. ended up about 200 yards from the next site but that didn’t bother"
"In high desert country, Lakeside is "home" to folks who like to fish, enjoy this part of Colorado, and do it in a Campground that feels like a community."
"Recommend getting a spot on the East side so you could have an actual lake view since it is technically across the highway from the lake. Speed limit was a strict 5 mph and they enforced it!"
ScoutLike most busier camp sites, expect a couple of generators, last time the one next door started at 1:00am, that is simply I don’t care about others!!! Having said that you’re surrounded by amazing 13k peaks and the stream is right there…
ScoutI’m staying in spot 16 and I love it. close to the lake and beautiful views. But the drive up here was very rough. Very spacious for camping but not much going on. It’s definitely a one time thing for me.
GuideThis was a nice spot. Very quiet and we got a first come first serve spot mid day on a Wednesday. The hosts were so kind, friendly, and helpful! We actually overpaid and he came over and gave us some of the money back! Walking distance to the river and the lake was drivable distance. We caught so many fish at the lake, even a salmon! Potable water was easily accessible and the vault bathroom was okay… the host said they were closing it down to repaint and fix them up a bit 😊. We also had lots of animal visitors (deer and chipmunks). The deer are definitely used to being fed because they took food from our hands with no hesitation. Overall it was a nice experience for 4 days.
ScoutVery nice helpful and informative awesome views and location
ScoutThis is a small campground 7 miles from Creede. It has 15 sites, most of which require reservations but there are 5 FCFS sites. No water on site but a clean outhouse and a helpful host. Some sites are on the Rio Grande River and very little highway noise. A very pleasant place to stay.
GuideDuring our stay, this was a very busy campground with a lot of large groups in the sites. Also more than a few class A rigs. The sites are pretty close together but you still feel some sense of privacy. The sites are large. We noticed several sites marked as reservation sites but the Recreation.gov website shows them as first come first served. Also not sure what the draw is as there is basically no access to the Rio Grande Reservoir. Lastly, the 10 miles of severe washboard road is enough to prevent any return we might have considered.
TravelerWe had a wonderful stay at the Outpost River Fork campground in Lake City.
The location sits along the river that runs through the town. The owner, Christina along with her hard working and friendly staff were more than accommodating. Staying here allowed us easy access to all the town amenities and surrounding hiking trails. Although it is a OHV paradise, we personally explored the area on mountain bikes and on foot. Our dog really enjoyed the river.
Looking forward to coming back! Thanks again!
GuideThere must be close to 100 sites and they are packed so tightly that we apologized to our close neighbors for our coming and going until 11:00 PM. The reason we were coming and going is that we purposely stayed there to do laundry after a week of boondocking. But, the laundry is closed every day from 8 AM to noon , so you can't do laundry in the morning. Plus, you have to have someone escort you to your site when yo arrive. I think this is due to packing people in. But, clean showers, bathrooms, and laundry facilities. Friendly staff too. It feels like they are willing to sacrifice a good experience to maximize profit.
GuideThe gardens and pools are beautiful. Be sure to check the websites for cleaning days so you don't show up on a day when the pools you want are being cleaned. I didn't stay on site, and instead camped at nearby Ridgway State Park.
Camping options near Powderhorn, Colorado range from primitive sites to developed campgrounds at elevations between 7,000-10,000 feet. The area experiences significant temperature drops after sunset even during summer months, with nighttime temperatures frequently dipping into the 40s. Water access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering drinking water facilities while others require campers to bring all water supplies.
Fishing access: At The Gate Campground, campers have excellent river fishing opportunities. "Nice river fishing spot, my partner caught two trout," notes River G., who appreciated the spacious sites that accommodated "a large tent, our car, a hammock, cooking station, and chairs, all spread out nicely."
Mountain biking trails: The Hartman's Rocks Dispersed Site provides direct access to mountain biking trails right from camp. A visitor explains, "Tons of off-road paths, plenty of camping even for my 20ft camper and lots of rock climbing! So excited to come back!" The area includes numerous marked trails of varying difficulty levels.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies present exceptional stargazing conditions when weather permits. At The Gate Campground, one camper mentioned, "The sky was great, you could make out the Milky Way (if you knew where to look, it's not super obvious)," highlighting the reduced light pollution in this rural area.
Lake proximity: Elk Creek Campground receives high ratings for its lake access. Sheila J. notes, "You can walk down to the lake which is beautiful," while David L. suggests, "If you are tent camping I would try and get a site that is next to the reservoir. Makes for a great sunset view!"
Animal interactions: Gunnison KOA features unique animal encounters that campers frequently mention. Michelle A. observed, "Nice grassy sites that come complete with a cow who is as cute as can be!!" Another camper adds, "They also have a little pen with donkeys and goats at the front entrance which my dog loved and was fun to arrive to!"
Well-maintained facilities: Several campsites receive praise for cleanliness. At Elk Creek Campground, Dawn K. found "peaceful and relaxing, clean bathrooms, and polite hosts," while another visitor mentioned "Electric site with concrete pads, picnic tables and nice fire rings. The park is very clean nice rest rooms."
Shade availability: Many campgrounds in the area lack natural shade. CJ C. notes that Stevens Creek Campground "has no shade and gets really hot in the summer. We got to the campground around 2pm and swam in the lake. It was refreshing, but we left to make our dinner and relax somewhere else because the heat was a bit unbearable."
Road conditions: Access to dispersed camping areas often requires appropriate vehicles. At Hartman Rocks, johny R. warns, "If you have a 2wd vehicle you could very easily get turned up and tear your 2wd vehicle up, especially if low clearance. Study Google maps sat images, stay to the main road and NEVER rush in at dusk, you will be sorry."
Site spacing: Proximity between sites varies significantly between campgrounds. At Red Bridge Campground, Mack Daddy Van L. cautions, "Sites are real tight. Like less than 5 feet apart. I lucked out and there we only 3 campers during my stay. So we had our space."
Kid-friendly amenities: Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch offers extensive family activities. Jessica S. reports, "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." Katie B. adds, "There is an indoor and outdoor pool, playground, cool mini golf set up, horses, and a lake for kids to fish in!"
Educational opportunities: Look for campgrounds with ranger programs or nature activities. At Elk Creek Campground, shannon C. mentions "Nightly events at the amphitheater," which often include educational presentations about local wildlife and ecology.
Safety considerations: Prepare for temperature changes and limited cell service. One camper at Stevens Creek explains, "We swam in the lake. It was refreshing, but we left to make our dinner and relax somewhere else because the heat was a bit unbearable. When we came back around sunset, the views were amazing and it had cooled down significantly."
Hookup availability: Elk Creek Campground offers limited electrical hookups. Patty H. clarifies, "I'm in Loop C that has no hook ups. I think Loop D is the only one with hookups and maybe water too." Spring visitors should note limitations as Chip D. observed, "No water at dump station due a problem was inconvenient."
Site leveling needs: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling. At Gunnison Lakeside Resort, Jeanne B. noted, "Road and sites need some work. Our site was not level." Bringing leveling blocks is recommended for most area campgrounds.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region. Greg L. reports, "No TMobile cell signal, only art and Verizon," at Elk Creek Campground, while at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch, Vernon G. S. cautions, "The only thing I have against Thousand Trails Blue Mesa is the lack of internet. To have internet, you must have Starlink or a satellite dish."
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities can I enjoy at Powderhorn during summer months?
Powderhorn transforms into an outdoor playground during summer months with numerous activities. The resort provides access to hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and scenic chairlift rides offering spectacular mountain views. Nearby, Oh Be Joyful Campground offers additional hiking opportunities with beautiful mountain vistas. For water recreation, head to Molas Lake Park & Campground which features fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Summer festivals, outdoor concerts, and nature photography are also popular. The surrounding area provides excellent opportunities for wildflower viewing, wildlife spotting, and exploring alpine meadows, making Powderhorn an ideal summer destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
What accommodations are available at Powderhorn Resort?
Powderhorn Resort offers diverse accommodation options to suit various preferences. For those seeking cabin accommodations, Mountain Time RV Park & Cabins (Formerly Tall Texan) provides beautiful cabins close to the resort area. RV enthusiasts will find full hookups and amenities at Silverton Lakes RV Resort, which includes everything needed for a comfortable stay. For those preferring traditional lodging, the resort area features a mix of on-mountain condos, vacation rentals, and nearby hotel options. Accommodations typically include access to resort amenities, though availability varies seasonally with winter being peak season.
How much do lift tickets cost at Powderhorn Resort?
Powderhorn Resort lift ticket prices vary based on age, time of purchase, and season. Adult full-day tickets typically range from $79-109, with discounts available for advance online purchases. Youth, children, seniors, and military personnel receive reduced rates. Season passes offer the best value for frequent visitors, ranging from approximately $499-699 for adults when purchased during early-bird specials. For budget-conscious travelers, skiing near Amphitheater Campground provides access to similar terrain with potentially lower-priced lift options. The Ouray KOA Holiday area also offers winter activity alternatives. Multi-day packages and afternoon-only tickets provide additional cost-saving options.
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