Crawford State Park

210 West Spencer Avenue, Gunnison, CO 81230, USA

Tucked away along the rushing waters of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, Red Bridge Campground offers an intimate escape into Colorado's rugged beauty. This charming riverside retreat features just seven thoughtfully spaced campsites, each a private sanctuary complete with its own parking area, sturdy metal fire ring, and weathered picnic table perfect for morning coffee or evening meals under the stars. While you'll need to bring your own drinking water, the campground provides modern ADA-accessible vault facilities, ensuring comfort meets wilderness. Here, the soundtrack of flowing water replaces city noise, and the simplicity of unplugged living invites you to reconnect with nature's rhythms.

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Tucked away in a dramatic narrow canyon at the southernmost reaches of Blue Mesa Reservoir's Lake Fork Arm, Gateview Campground offers an intimate wilderness escape for adventurous tent campers. The journey here winds along a narrow gravel road that descends into this secluded haven, where towering canyon walls create a natural amphitheater at 7,538 feet above sea level. This hidden gem rewards those seeking solitude and authentic outdoor experiences far from the crowds.

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Nestled in the shadow of towering canyon walls, Cimarron Campground offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and living history. This tranquil retreat welcomes both tent campers and medium-sized RVs, where the whistle of bygone locomotives seems to echo through the surrounding railroad exhibits. Each thoughtfully positioned site comes equipped with picnic tables, fire grates, and fire rings, perfect for evening gatherings under the stars. Modern amenities including flush toilets, seasonal drinking water, and recycling facilities ensure comfort without compromising the authentic camping experience. With Crystal Reservoir's shimmering waters nearby and hiking trails beckoning from every direction, Cimarron serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring this remarkable corner of the American West.

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Step back in time at Cimarron Campground, where the echoes of steam whistles and chugging locomotives still whisper through the pines. Nestled 20 miles east of Montrose, Colorado, this unique camping destination sits on the grounds of a historic narrow gauge railroad town, offering visitors a chance to sleep where railway workers once made their homes. The campground welcomes tent campers and medium-sized RVs on a first-come, first-served basis, with fascinating railroad exhibits just steps from your campsite. A short 1.5-mile journey leads to the sparkling waters of Crystal Reservoir near Morrow Point Dam, where adventure awaits.

102 ELK CREEK, GUNNISON, CO 81230, USA

Perched majestically near the Blue Mesa Reservoir's dam, Lake Fork Campground offers an unforgettable gateway to the stunning Curecanti National Recreation Area. While RV enthusiasts will find plenty of spacious sites to call home, adventurous tent campers can discover hidden pockets of seclusion among the sagebrush. Whether you're launching your boat at dawn, casting a line into the crystal-clear waters, or simply sitting back to watch the sun paint the Black Canyon walls in shades of gold and crimson, Lake Fork delivers the quintessential Colorado high-country experience.

24830 US Hwy 50

Perched on the north shore of Colorado's largest body of water, Elk Creek Campground offers an unparalleled gateway to Blue Mesa Reservoir's 96 miles of pristine shoreline. This jewel within Curecanti National Recreation Area beckons water enthusiasts and desert wanderers alike with its unique blend of aquatic adventures and high desert landscapes. Choose from electric or non-electric sites, each offering sweeping vistas where azure waters meet endless skies in the dramatic Colorado landscape.

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Nestled in a tranquil valley 17 miles west of Gunnison, Colorado, Dry Gulch Campground offers an intimate escape beneath a canopy of towering cottonwood trees. This charming, small-scale campground welcomes both tent campers and medium-sized RVs to its shaded sites, where the rustling leaves create nature's own soundtrack. Each first-come, first-served site comes thoughtfully equipped with a picnic table and metal fire pit, perfect for evening gatherings under the stars. While the amenities remain refreshingly simple—clean compost toilets and fresh water—the real luxury here is the peaceful atmosphere and the chance to disconnect from the digital world.

21001 Hwy 50, Gunnison, CO 81230, USA

Tucked away in the heart of Curecanti National Recreation Area, Red Creek Group Site beckons groups seeking an intimate escape into Colorado's high country. This hidden gem offers a perfect blend of seclusion and accessibility, where towering cottonwood trees create natural cathedral ceilings above your campsite. The gentle murmur of Red Creek mingles with the distant lapping of Blue Mesa Reservoir's waters, creating a soundtrack for unforgettable group gatherings under star-filled skies.

23935 Hwy 50, Gunnison, CO, 81230, USA

Escape to East Elk Creek Group Campsite, where your party of up to 50 adventurers can claim an entire corner of Colorado's high country wilderness. This exclusive group sanctuary sits beside the gentle murmur of East Elk Creek, offering the perfect basecamp for days filled with world-class windsurfing across Blue Mesa Reservoir's expansive waters. Whether you're casting lines for trophy fish, paddling kayaks through pristine mountain waters, or gathering around the campfire to spot elk and eagles, this secluded retreat promises memories that will last long after the embers fade.

Ponderosa Campground, Soap Creek Road, Colorado

Escape to Ponderosa Campground, where tranquility meets breathtaking vistas at the secluded northwest corner of Blue Mesa Reservoir's Soap Creek Arm. Perched at an elevation of 7,880 feet, this peaceful retreat beckons adventurers with diverse camping options—from convenient car camping and trailer sites to intimate walk-in tent spots that promise a true connection with nature. Here, solitude isn't just promised; it's delivered with panoramic views that stretch across Colorado's stunning high country.

102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO, 81230, USA

Tucked away at the dramatic base of Black Canyon, East Portal Campground offers an intimate escape where the mighty Gunnison River whispers past 15 secluded campsites. Here, beneath a canopy of ancient box elder trees, adventurers discover a hidden gem accessed by a thrilling descent down one of Colorado's most memorable access roads. This quiet sanctuary combines raw natural beauty with fascinating glimpses of human ingenuity, where the historic Gunnison Tunnel stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering prowess.

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Tucked at the base of the dramatic Black Canyon of the Gunnison, East Portal Campground offers an intimate 15-site retreat where towering canyon walls meet the rushing Gunnison River. This hidden gem sits within Curecanti National Recreation Area, accessible only through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park via the winding East Portal Road—a seasonal route that closes each winter, making this a true warm-weather destination.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest

Discover your perfect escape at Soap Creek Campground, where 21 thoughtfully designed sites await adventurers seeking authentic wilderness experiences. Choose from spacious pull-through sites ideal for RVs, secluded walk-in tent sites that immerse you in nature, or claim your spot along the creek's gentle waters. While Site #11 once offered the coveted riverfront RV experience, nature has temporarily reclaimed this spot as erosion works its magic around the fire pit. The campground maintains a rustic charm with vault toilet facilities, encouraging visitors to embrace the simplicity of outdoor living without running water—just you, your gear, and the great outdoors.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest

Adventure awaits at Soap Creek campground, where the classic first-come, first-served tradition means your perfect spot is claimed the moment you arrive. Come prepared with the Recreation.gov mobile app downloaded before you leave home—these remote landscapes offer stunning solitude, but that also means cell service can be as scarce as it is peaceful, so you'll want that QR code payment option ready to go.

10346 Hwy. 347, Montrose, CO 81401, USA

Perched on the dramatic South Rim of one of Colorado's most awe-inspiring natural wonders, this year-round campground invites adventurers to experience the raw beauty of the Black Canyon. Wake to golden sunrises illuminating sheer canyon walls, spend days exploring winding trails, and end each evening beneath a canopy of stars so brilliant they seem close enough to touch. The campground's thoughtfully designed loops nestle among fragrant scrub oak forests, offering modern conveniences like electric hookups alongside the timeless appeal of vault toilets. Keep your camera ready—curious deer often wander through camp at dawn, while lucky visitors might spot elusive bobcats, black bears, or the distinctive drumming of grouse echoing through the trees.

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

Escape to one of Colorado's best-kept secrets at this intimate 13-site campground, where pinyon and juniper trees shelter your stay along the dramatic North Rim. This first-come, first-served gem offers the kind of solitude that's increasingly rare in our national parks, with a ranger station nearby during summer months to help orient your adventure.

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Discover your riverside retreat at Cottonwood Grove Campground, where towering cottonwood trees create a natural canopy along the banks of the Gunnison River. This intimate campground offers six thoughtfully spaced sites, including one fully ADA-accessible site complete with its own fishing pier for anglers of all abilities. Launch your kayak or canoe from the convenient boat ramp, then return to your shaded sanctuary equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, and sheltering structures. Best of all, this hidden gem comes without a price tag—camping is completely free on a first-come, first-served basis, making it perfect for spontaneous adventures.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

Tucked away in the pristine wilderness of Gunnison National Forest's Paonia Ranger District, Lost Lake Campground beckons adventurers to discover its hidden alpine paradise. Here, beneath the towering peaks of the Ruby Mountain Range, families gather around crackling campfires while days are spent exploring winding trails and casting lines into the crystal-clear waters of three pristine lakes—Lost Lake Slough, Dollar Lake, and Lost Lake itself. This first-come, first-served gem offers an authentic backcountry experience where modern amenities take a backseat to raw natural beauty. Pack your water bottles and embrace the simplicity of camping as it was meant to be, with no potable water on-site but endless opportunities for adventure.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest

Welcome to a seamless outdoor experience where modern convenience meets natural beauty. This campground embraces technology with easy on-site payment options, including QR code functionality through the Recreation.gov mobile app, ensuring your check-in is as smooth as your morning coffee by the campfire.

PO Box 147, Crawford, Colorado, 81415-0147, United States

Nestled beneath the dramatic peaks of the Ragged Mountains, Paonia State Park beckons adventurers with its pristine streams and shimmering reservoir. This high-country haven captivates photographers and nature enthusiasts with its stunning alpine meadows bursting with seasonal wildflowers. While the park's rugged charm includes some rustic elements—narrow mountain roads wind through the terrain and facilities reflect a more traditional camping experience—visitors find themselves immersed in Colorado's raw, untamed beauty. The park's remote setting offers a genuine backcountry feel, though travelers should note that signage can be sparse and some areas require careful navigation.

Forest Service Road 116, Delta, CO, 81416, USA

Perched high atop Colorado's Grand Mesa at 10,000 feet, Island Lake Campground beckons adventurers with its gateway to over 300 pristine alpine lakes. This mountain sanctuary has earned its reputation as a premier destination where anglers cast lines into crystal-clear waters, paddlers glide across mirror-like surfaces, and hikers discover hidden treasures along scenic trails that wind through the high country.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest

Nestled along the pristine shores of Island Lake, Little Bear Campground offers a tranquil mountain escape with over 30 well-appointed campsites. Each site comes equipped with its own fire pit and picnic table, perfect for evening gatherings under the stars. The campground provides essential amenities including basic restroom facilities, while the crystal-clear waters of Island Lake beckon anglers and paddlers alike to explore its peaceful expanse.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest

Nestled alongside the shimmering waters of Ward Lake, this cherished first-come, first-served campground beckons adventurers seeking an authentic outdoor experience. Choose between the sun-dappled Upper Ward loop, where morning light filters through scattered trees, or the more sheltered Lower Ward loop, offering cooler retreats beneath a fuller canopy. Essential amenities include vault toilets and convenient water spigots throughout both loops, though RV travelers should note there are no dump stations available. Each campsite promises its own unique perspective of the lake's ever-changing moods.

, , , CEDAREDGE, CO 81413, USA

Nestled beside the pristine waters of Cobbett Lake, this enchanting single-family campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts to experience the raw beauty of Colorado's Grand Mesa. At 10,300 feet, where ancient spruce trees stand sentinel and the Grand Mesa National Byway winds through breathtaking vistas, campers find themselves immersed in a world perfect for paddling across mirror-like waters, casting lines for native trout, exploring mountain trails, and encountering the abundant wildlife that calls this alpine paradise home.

102 ELK CREEK, GUNNISON, CO 81230, USA

Curecanti National Recreation Area

21001 Hwy 50, Gunnison, CO 81230, USA

10346 Hwy. 347, Montrose, CO 81401, USA

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore

PO Box 147, Crawford, Colorado, 81415-0147, United States

102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO, 81230, USA

Ponderosa Campground, Soap Creek Road, Colorado

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest

Curecanti National Recreation Area

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Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest

806 W. Hallam

Tucked away in the shadow of Colorado's most photographed peaks, Silver Bar Campground offers an intimate escape into the wilderness with just four secluded tent sites. This hidden gem invites adventurers to disconnect from the modern world and immerse themselves in the raw beauty of the Rockies. Each walk-in site comes thoughtfully equipped with everything you need for a memorable stay: sturdy picnic tables for mountain-side meals, bear-proof lockers to safely store your provisions, and stone fire rings where stories come alive under starlit skies. The gentle murmur of Maroon Creek provides nature's soundtrack, while vault toilets ensure basic comfort without compromising the pristine environment.

5575 CLEORA RD

Tucked away in the breathtaking Chalk Creek Canyon at 9,000 feet, Cascade Campground beckons adventurers seeking an authentic Colorado mountain experience. This beloved retreat features 21 thoughtfully spaced campsites, ranging from spontaneous walk-up spots to reservable havens, each equipped with sturdy picnic tables and inviting campfire rings where stories and s'mores come to life under starlit skies. Modern vault toilets and fresh drinking water ensure comfort without compromising the wilderness experience. Whether you're casting a line into pristine mountain waters, discovering hidden hiking trails, or venturing onto rugged off-road paths, Cascade serves as your perfect basecamp for mountain adventures and peaceful escapes alike.

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Tucked away in the pristine wilderness of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, Pines Campground offers an authentic high-country camping experience at 9,200 feet. This intimate campground features just 11 sites along the babbling South Fork of the Michigan River, where the sound of rushing water provides nature's soundtrack to your mountain retreat. While beetle kill has opened up the forest canopy, creating sun-drenched sites perfect for stargazing, visitors appreciate the campground's easy accessibility and rustic charm. As one camper noted, it's a 'great little campground' that delivers simplicity and natural beauty in equal measure.

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Perched in the heart of the Trappers Lake Recreation Area, Trapline Campground offers 11 thoughtfully arranged sites along a single loop, where the landscape opens up to endless Colorado skies. Unlike the dense forest campgrounds below, Trapline embraces its high-altitude setting with sun-drenched sites that bask in natural light from dawn to dusk. Here, the commanding presence of the Flat Tops Wilderness stretches across the horizon, creating a backdrop that transforms with each passing hour as shadows dance across ancient peaks and valleys.

46525 State Hwy 114, Saguache, CO 81149

Step back in time at Duncan Cabin, where the whispers of 1880s prospectors still echo through weathered log walls. Perched at 8,120 feet in the majestic Rio Grande National Forest, this authentic one-room sanctuary offers adventurers a rare blend of rustic charm and mountain solitude. Inside, cozy bunk beds and a crackling wood stove promise warmth after days spent exploring, while outdoor vault toilets maintain the frontier spirit. Whether you arrive on horseback to graze in nearby meadows, seek pristine dark skies for celestial photography, or use this historic haven as your basecamp for discovering the otherworldly Great Sand Dunes National Park, Duncan Cabin delivers an unforgettable high-country experience.

WHITE RIVER

Nestled in a tranquil Rocky Mountain valley, Camp Hale Memorial Campground offers 15 intimate campsites where history and wilderness converge. This hidden gem welcomes tents, trailers, and RVs alike, providing a peaceful retreat enhanced by attentive campground hosts who ensure every visitor feels at home. Adventure seekers will appreciate the direct access to the legendary Colorado Trail, making this modest campground a perfect basecamp for mountain exploration.

FS 520, CREEDE, CO 81130, USA

Nestled along the pristine banks of the Rio Grande River, River Hill Campground beckons adventurers seeking an authentic Colorado wilderness experience. This beloved riverside retreat serves as your gateway to endless outdoor pursuits—cast a line into crystal-clear waters teeming with trout, explore winding trails that disappear into the backcountry, or launch your kayak for a peaceful paddle. Just steps from your campsite, trailheads lead directly into the magnificent Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado's largest designated wilderness area.

San Juan NF, Colorado, USA

Perched at 7,643 feet in the Colorado high country, Target Tree Campground serves as your gateway to the Southwest's most treasured destinations. Just a scenic drive from the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park and the vibrant mountain towns of Mancos and Durango, this historic campground takes its name from a fascinating chapter in Ute Indian history. Here, centuries-old Ponderosa pines still bear the distinctive scars from when Ute hunters honed their marksmanship skills, while these same majestic trees provided life-sustaining sap and bark that supplemented their traditional diet.

REDFEATHER LAKES, BELLEVUE, CO, 80512, USA

Nestled along the pristine shores of Dowdy Lake, this mountain retreat offers 70 thoughtfully designed campsites that blend modern convenience with natural beauty. Choose from 60 spacious sites equipped with electric hookups for RVs and trailers, or embrace a more traditional camping experience at one of 10 dedicated tent-only sites. Each campsite serves as your personal basecamp, complete with a sturdy picnic table for lakeside meals, a dedicated tent pad, and a campfire ring with grill where evening stories and s'mores come to life. Modern vault toilets, fresh drinking water stations, and regular trash collection ensure comfort without compromising the wilderness experience.

46525 ST HWY 114, Saguache, CO 81149, USA

Nestled deep within the Rio Grande National Forest at 9,500 feet, Stone Cellar Guard Station beckons adventurers seeking true mountain solitude. This remote cabin sanctuary, perched at the edge of the La Garita Wilderness, serves as your gateway to pristine fishing streams, untamed hiking trails, premier hunting grounds, and exhilarating winter sports terrain. Here, where the modern world fades away, you'll discover the Colorado high country as it was meant to be experienced.