Camping near Austin, Colorado provides access to diverse terrain from river valleys at 5,000 feet elevation to the steep walls of Black Canyon at over 8,200 feet. The area experiences wide temperature swings, with summer highs reaching 90°F during the day while dropping to the 50s at night. Many camping locations around Austin require visitors to bring their own water due to limited facilities.
What to do
River recreation access: Crawford State Park's Iron Creek Campground sits adjacent to a reservoir perfect for fishing and swimming. A camper noted, "Tons of fish jumping and can watch beavers swimming in and out of the marsh in the evening" while staying at this waterfront location.
Canyon rim hiking: The North Rim Campground at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers direct trail access. "There is a nice hike from the campground to the visitor center and around down a little ways into a canyon," reports a visitor, though permits are required for deeper canyon exploration.
Off-road exploring: Routes through Escalante Canyon Road Dispersed camping areas provide scenic drives. "The road to the camp site from the I-50 road is rather long (12 miles, cca 30 min), but very easy and quite picturesque," explains one camper who visited during Memorial Day weekend.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location away from city lights makes for excellent night viewing. At Cottonwood Grove Campground, campers report, "At night we watched the bats swooping around and it's a great place to star gaze!"
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer chances to see local animals. At Four Seasons River Inn & RV Park, visitors appreciate its "premium location right on the Arkansas River" with access to "hefty browns and wary rainbows" for fishing enthusiasts.
Quiet camping: The dispersed sites at Black Canyon Dispersed Camping provide solitude just outside park boundaries. One camper shared, "Tons of open spots even getting in on the afternoon of the 4th of July. Great views & lots of space! I have Verizon & had decent cell service."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to many camping areas requires careful driving. The BLM Cottonwood Grove Campground has "a little rough" drive in. A visitor cautions, "The road is narrow and it drops off in places but the views are spectacular."
Water availability: Bring your own water to most locations. At South Rim Campground, "Campsites are open year round, but drinking water is only available mid-May through mid-October... There are no water hookups or dump stations."
Weather preparedness: The area experiences sudden weather changes. Campers at Gunnison Gorge National Conservation noted, "The wind was pretty intense when the skies got grey but we managed to set up camp."
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely. A camper at Escalante Canyon Road reports service is available, while most areas in Black Canyon of the Gunnison have none, with a visitor noting "No cell connectivity, extremely limited water (best to bring what you need)."
Tips for camping with families
Insect protection: Bugs can be problematic in summer months. A visitor to Gunnison Gorge warns, "Be prepared with all your tricks for mosquitos because they were everywhere."
Space for activities: Look for campgrounds with open areas. At Uncompaghre River Resort, a camper appreciated that "The spots 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."
Kid-friendly biking: Some campgrounds offer safe cycling options. A family staying at Crawford State Park mentioned, "Great loops for biking with kids, very clean campsites and nice bathrooms, great trails for biking or walking between the camp loops."
Sun protection: Shade can be limited in summer. One family warns about Crawford State Park: "The only problem we have ran into here is the sun. We used a sun shade with a tarp on one side that we would keep rotating during the day to create shade."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many dispersed areas have limited RV access. A visitor to Black Canyon Dispersed Camping advised, "Some paths are also very muddy and shouldn't be challenged unless you have AWD or 4WD."
Hookup availability: Full services are limited to specific campgrounds. Valley Sunset RV Ranch offers "full hook ups with cable" and a camper reported: "WiFi, 3 bars on sprint, 3 bars on Verizon. Propane fill up on site."
Size restrictions: Check site dimensions before arrival. At Black Canyon's South Rim Campground, a host recommends: "Pay attention to the driveway length figures in rec.gov as they are pretty accurate."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require equipment for proper setup. At Four Seasons River Inn, a camper noted, "Pretty campground with grass at the sites, a river a short walk away. We were up by the highway, so the traffic was loud and the neighbors were fairly close."
