Big Blue Campground - Gunnison Rd

4.33

20 reviews

Big Blue Campground - Gunnison RD

Quick Facts

9,800 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens US Forest Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

9,800 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens US Forest Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Big Blue Campground - Gunnison Rd

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are required for this site. Donation requested.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.33

Recommended

Based on 20 reviews

17 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewshiking

Some mention

crowded

"User reviews highlight Big Blue Campground as a remote, peaceful, and scenic destination. Many appreciate the lack of crowds, the proximity to wilderness trails, and opportunities to view wildlife. However, some note the challenging access road and lack of amenities such as potable water and firewood."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Big Blue Campground - Gunnison RD

Big Blue Campground - Gunnison Rd

Big Blue Campground - Gunnison RD

Driving directionsFrom Sapeniro, CO, take US Rt. 50 west 9.2 miles to Forest Access/Alpine Plateau Road sign (Forest Rt. 867). Turn left at sign onto gravel road (Rt. 867) and go 21 miles to "T" intersection (Forest Rt. 868). Turn right onto Rt. 868 and go 4.7 miles into campground. NOTE: After first 6 miles on Forest Service roads, they become intermittently rough, rocky and single-lane with few turnouts.

Drive ten miles north on State Road 149 to Forest Road 868. Turn left on to FDR 868 and drive nine miles. After first 6 miles on Forest Service roads, they become intermittently rough, rocky and single-lane with few turnouts.

Nearby places

Sapeniro, Colorado - Approx. 9.2 miles to Forest Access, then 21 miles to campground

Nearby supplies

No nearby information explicitly provided for groceries, camping supplies, or fuel. Campers should plan to bring their own essentials.

Best Time to Camp at Big Blue Campground - Gunnison Rd

Mountain weather at nearly 10,000 feet brings its own dramatic personality to every camping experience. Crisp, star-filled nights give way to cool mornings year-round, making that first cup of coffee by the campfire especially rewarding. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms that roll through the peaks, painting the sky with dramatic clouds and filling the air with the scent of rain-washed pine. As one seasoned visitor notes, afternoon and evening showers become a reliable companion from late July onward, creating a rhythm of sunny mornings perfect for hiking and cozy afternoons listening to rain patter on your tent.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Most popular season; warm days, cool nights, but frequent afternoon/evening rains in Jul–Aug.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Aspen color and crisp nights make fall scenic, though open season ends mid-Sept limiting window.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Open late May; spring conditions variable with cool temps and runoff; short season window.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 27–Sep 15; winter use not supported.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Peak season dates not explicitly mentioned.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open seasonally from May 27 through September 15.
Current Alerts: "Fire ban was in place" during June per Pedro Pistaccio's review.

About Big Blue Campground - Gunnison Rd

Tucked away where Soldier Creek meets Blue Creek, this hidden mountain sanctuary serves as your gateway to the pristine Uncompahgre Wilderness. Here, ancient trails wind through towering spruce and shimmering aspen groves, beckoning hikers to explore one of Colorado's most untouched wilderness areas. With mechanized travel prohibited beyond the campground boundaries, the only sounds you'll hear are rustling leaves, babbling creeks, and the whisper of mountain winds through the forest canopy.

The campground caters to tent campers and offers a rustic, primitive experience. RVs are not recommended due to rough, narrow access roads.

Historical SignificanceWhile the recorded human history of this specific campground remains unwritten, the surrounding wilderness carries the timeless stories of Colorado's high country in every weathered rock and ancient tree.

Weather and SeasonsMountain weather at nearly 10,000 feet brings its own dramatic personality to every camping experience. Crisp, star-filled nights give way to cool mornings year-round, making that first cup of coffee by the campfire especially rewarding. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms that roll through the peaks, painting the sky with dramatic clouds and filling the air with the scent of rain-washed pine. As one seasoned visitor notes, afternoon and evening showers become a reliable companion from late July onward, creating a rhythm of sunny mornings perfect for hiking and cozy afternoons listening to rain patter on your tent.

ElevationPerched at 9,800 feet above sea level, this high-altitude haven offers a true mountain experience where the air is crisp, the stars seem close enough to touch, and wildflowers bloom in compressed seasons of intense beauty. At this elevation, crystal-clear mountain streams tumble through dense forests, and the thin air reminds you that you've truly escaped to the roof of Colorado.

Natural Features and SceneryNature has painted a masterpiece here, where groves of quaking aspen dance with lush pine forests in an ever-changing display of color and light. The campground overlooks a stunning valley vista, while high mountain creeks provide a constant soundtrack of rushing water. Dramatic talus slopes frame one side of the camp, while Big Blue Creek defines the other, creating a natural amphitheater of stone and water. Multiple trails lead south from camp, disappearing into the wilderness like invitations to adventure.

Geological RegionNestled in the heart of the Uncompahgre Wilderness region, this campground sits in a geological wonderland where ancient forces have sculpted a landscape of contrasts. Massive talus fields speak of centuries of freeze-thaw cycles, while Big Blue Creek has carved its patient path through the valley floor. The surrounding peaks and forests represent millions of years of mountain building, creating the dramatic Colorado high country that draws adventurers from around the world.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in time not explicitly listed, but the campground is first-come, first-serve.

Check-out

Check-out time not explicitly listed, but the campground is first-come, first-serve.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 16 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

General Comments state single sites, but maximum guests per site is not explicitly listed.

Groups

There are no designated group camping sites.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSingle loop layout between a talus slope and Big Blue Creek.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations are accepted.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come, first-serve. "All spots were open" per user review by Linda Gann.

Cancellation PolicyNot applicable. The campground is first-come, first-serve.

AccessibilityThere are no specific mentions of accessibility features, and vault toilets are not wheelchair-friendly.

Site SizeThe sites are standard-sized tent sites, with parking aprons suitable for pop-up tents and slide-in RVs.

PrivacyThe campground is surrounded by dense groves of spruce trees, offering a secluded and private setting.

Total Campsites11 campsites

Recommended SitesUser reviews suggest avoiding the campground without an SUV or truck due to rough roads. "Pop-up tents and slide-ins could access the campground," per general comments.

Amenities available

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Big Blue Campground provides a variety of recreational opportunities suitable for nature enthusiasts. Activities include hiking on trails leading into the Uncompahgre Wilderness, trout fishing in nearby streams, and picnicking.

HikingSeveral hiking trails are accessible from the campground, such as Big Blue Trail #232, Ridge Stock Driveway Trail, and Alpine Trail. These trails primarily lead into the Uncompahgre Wilderness, where mechanized and motorized travel is prohibited. Hikers can enjoy scenic routes through aspen and spruce forests.

FishingFishing is available in nearby creeks and ponds with populations of brook and cutthroat trout. User reviews mention the abundance of brook trout in the creek.

Wildlife viewingThe area is rich in wildlife, with sightings of deer, moose, bears, and mountain lions mentioned in user reviews. Free-range sheep also roam the vicinity, adding to the wilderness experience.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife hazards include bears, mountain lions, and roaming deer as per user reviews. "Watch for bears," per Marc M. Another review mentions free-range sheep roaming in the area.

Active Alerts"Fire ban was in place" during June per Pedro Pistaccio's review.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyNoted fire bans during Level 2 restrictions. Campfires may be prohibited seasonally.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are not listed, but Sapeniro may have some emergency services.

Trash & RecyclingThis is a 'pack it in, pack it out' campground, meaning visitors must carry out all their trash and recycling.

Water FeaturesBig Blue Creek runs near the campground, but creeks were "close to dead due to the drought," per Pedro Pistaccio. No lakes or swimming areas.

Camp HostHost information not listed.

Weather at Big Blue Campground - Gunnison Rd

Reviews

4.3

20 reviews

Recommended

Big Blue Campground - Gunnison Rd is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight Big Blue Campground as a remote, peaceful, and scenic destination. Many appreciate the lack of crowds, the proximity to wilderness trails, and opportunities to view wildlife. However, some note the challenging access road and lack of amenities such as potable water and firewood.

Review Summaries

Based on 20 reviews

What Campers Love

Users frequently mention the campground's serene and secluded atmosphere, scenic views, and proximity to excellent hiking trails. Wildlife sightings, including moose and bears, are also praised.

Based on 20 reviews

Common Concerns

Criticisms focus on the rough condition of the access road, the absence of potable water, and the limited availability of essential amenities. A few users also commented on the vault toilets' lack of...

Based on 20 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing plenty of water, bug spray, and rain gear due to the site's lack of potable water and frequent summer rains. Ensuring a reliable vehicle for the rough access road is also...

Based on 20 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the most popular time for camping, with warm days and cool nights. However, users report frequent afternoon and evening rains in July and August. Nighttime temperatures can drop...

Based on 20 reviews

Camper Quotes

- "Brook trout are plentiful in the creek. It will rain in the afternoons and nights from late July onwards." - S. Furstenfeld - "Absolutely loved this campground! Bears, Big Bull Moose, deer, fox,...

Based on 20 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites are well-shaded and surrounded by spruce trees, offering privacy. Some parking aprons accommodate small RVs, but larger trailers are discouraged due to the narrow access road.

Based on 20 reviews