Managed by Gunnison National Forest, Washington Gulch Dispersed Camping sits along a rough dirt road about 20 minutes north of Crested Butte, with sites scattered across open terrain that faces Gothic Mountain directly. Most sites don't require four-wheel drive, though the road demands patience and a slow pace. Campers in standard passenger cars have made it through without incident, provided they take it carefully.
Sites fill fast, especially on holiday weekends and summer Fridays. Arriving by early afternoon on a busy weekend may still leave you without a spot. Campers who come midweek or on a Sunday-Monday rotation report having a much easier time finding space. Sites closer to the road offer open sightlines toward Gothic Mountain, while spots further up the gulch provide more separation from neighbors at the cost of those views. Nearby, Oh Be Joyful Recreation Area provides an alternative if Washington Gulch is full.
Wildlife sightings are a consistent theme across reviews, with deer, elk, and bears all reported in the area. Cows graze freely through the campsites, which catches some first-time visitors off guard. The campground has toilets near sites 6-8, and campfires are permitted. Note that pets are not allowed. Nidhi S. sums up the draw simply: "Gothic mountain looked stunning." Arrive early on summer weekends, and bring enough supplies to avoid multiple trips back into town.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsWashington Gulch is located in Colorado near Crested Butte
Coordinates
38.93910883347128 N
107.02105308259956 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/21/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 24 usersLast on 7/21/26
AT&TPossible CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 7/21/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/21/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 24 usersLast on 7/21/26
- AT&TPossible CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 7/21/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
