Buckeye Recreation Area (Co)

Star3.91
73 reviews
Montrose County, Colorado, USA

Quick Facts

7,600 ft

Price

$15 - $50/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

48 campsites

Season

Open May 15 - Septem...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens U.S. Forest Service site

Official Website
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Buckeye Recreation Area (Co)
$15.00 - $50.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Nonelectric sites are $15 per night, and Group Standard Area Nonelectric sites are $50 per night. Additional reservation fees include $8 for...
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Standard Site Fee$15.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$50.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
1-435-587-2041bmurdock@fs.fed.us
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What Campers Say

3.91

Mixed Reviews

Based on 73 reviews

14 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanlocationwater

"User reviews highlight the campground's cleanliness, quiet atmosphere, and well-maintained vault toilets. Common complaints include challenging access roads, fluctuating reservoir water levels, and the absence of potable water and trash facilities."

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Campground Map

Montrose County, Colorado, USA

Buckeye Recreation Area (Co)

Montrose County, Colorado, USA

Driving directionsBest Route: Head south from Moab on US 191 for approximately 27 miles and turn left onto Highway 46 at La Sal Junction. Continue on Highway 46 for 32 miles into Paradox, Colorado. Turn left at 5.75 Road at the USFS sign. Continue to the T-intersection and left on U5 Road and follow the USFS signs to Buckeye Campground. It is about 13 miles on Forest Service Road 0371 from Paradox to Buckeye Campground and it is winding gravel road. Please drive with caution. Alternative Route: Very muddy or impassable when wet, please use caution and discretion: Head south from Moab on US 191 for approximately 27 miles and turn left onto Highway 46 at La Sal Junction. Continue about 12 miles and take a slight left at Upper Two Mile Road (Forest Service Road 0208). Continue on Upper Two Mile Road for approximately 18 miles. Follow the signs to Buckeye Campground. This route crosses private property, please respect the wishes and property and do not trespass on this land.
The route involves winding gravel roads and private property crossings. GPS directions may lead to 4WD roads or locked gates. Visitors are advised to follow the official directions provided rather than relying solely on navigation apps.
Nearby places
Paradox, Colorado (10 miles), Monticello, Utah, and Moab, Utah (approximately 1.5 hours away).
Nearby supplies
No supplies available in Paradox, Colorado. Naturita, Colorado (30 minutes away) offers the nearest store options for groceries and camping essentials.

Best Time to Camp at Buckeye Recreation Area (Co)

Wake to crisp mountain mornings that give way to pleasantly mild afternoons in this high-altitude paradise. The region enjoys remarkably stable weather with minimal precipitation throughout most of the year, creating ideal conditions for outdoor adventures. Winter transforms the landscape into a snow-dusted wonderland, though accumulation remains moderate, allowing for year-round access to this mountain retreat.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season May 15–Sep 30; late spring/early summer high water boosts activities.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Late summer/fall often have low water limiting aquatic rec, but offer solitude and scenery.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5
Top 16% in CO

Late spring often brings higher reservoir levels and pleasant weather for activities.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Open FCFS in winter but cold weather, access issues and limited services reduce appeal.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 15 - September 30.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 15 - September 30 for reservations. First-come, first-served from October 1 - May 14.
  • Current Alerts: No current alerts reported.

About Buckeye Recreation Area (Co)

Discover your perfect mountain escape at Buckeye Recreation Area, where pristine camping meets the crystal-clear waters of Buckeye Reservoir. This mountain haven features 30 reservable sites at Pioneer Campground, each thoughtfully equipped with graveled parking spurs, sturdy picnic tables, fire rings, and convenient utility tables. For those seeking a more intimate connection with nature, 18 dispersed campsites dot the shoreline, offering secluded spots for the adventurous soul. Groups can gather at the dedicated group site, while day visitors can enjoy waterside picnics at the scenic day-use area. Modern vault toilets ensure comfort without compromising the wilderness experience.
Buckeye Recreation Area offers a mix of camping options, including Pioneer Campground with 30 single-family reservable sites, a group site, and 18 dispersed campsites around the reservoir. Dispersed camping is less developed but includes amenities such as vault toilets and concrete fire rings. RV and tent camping are supported, though the lack of hookups and potable water requires self-sufficiency.
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
11:00 AM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
14 consecutive nights during a visit or rolling 30 days total.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

The Buckeye Recreation Area supports a range of recreational activities centered around Buckeye Reservoir and the surrounding forests. Visitors can enjoy fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating on the reservoir (restrictions apply: wakeless speed and 5 HP motor limit). Nearby trails offer opportunities for hiking, biking, OHV/ATV use, and wildlife viewing. Hunting is also permitted in designated areas. User reviews confirm stargazing, water activities, and wildlife viewing to be popular pastimes.
HikingThe La Sal Mountains provide hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. While reviewers mention hiking positively, specific trail details are not provided.
FishingFishing is supported in the reservoir; however, reviews reveal fluctuating fish populations due to water level variations. A Colorado State Fishing License is required.
SwimmingSwimming is possible when water levels allow. Reviews note clear water during favorable conditions, but low water levels at times limit swimming opportunities.
BikingBiking trails in the La Sal Mountains cater to mountain bikers, but reviews indicate dust from ATV traffic can impact the experience.
BoatingBoating is limited to wakeless speeds and small motors (up to 5 HP). Canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating are encouraged, but reservoir levels can significantly affect usability.
Wildlife viewingWildlife sightings are frequently mentioned, including deer and free-range cattle. The remote environment enhances viewing opportunities.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBears frequent the area; food storage vigilance is necessary. Muddy roads during wet weather are a challenge.
Active AlertsNo current alerts reported.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Buckeye Recreation Area (Co)

Reviews

3.9
73 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Buckeye Recreation Area (Co) has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the campground's cleanliness, quiet atmosphere, and well-maintained vault toilets. Common complaints include challenging access roads, fluctuating reservoir water levels, and the absence of potable water and trash facilities.
Review Summaries
Based on 73 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviews praise the area's natural beauty, clear water in the reservoir during favorable conditions, clean bathrooms, and the courteous and helpful camp host. Dispersed sites offer solitude, and the...
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Based on 73 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints focus on challenging dirt road access, low or nonexistent reservoir water levels, lack of drinking water, and the absence of trash disposal facilities. Noise from generators and...
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Based on 73 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing sufficient drinking water, avoiding reliance on GPS for navigation, and preparing for primitive camping conditions. Many emphasize following the official directions to...
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Based on 73 reviews

Seasonal Insights

High reservoir water levels in late spring and early summer enhance activities like fishing and swimming. Late summer and fall often see low water levels, limiting aquatic recreation. Winter weather,...
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Based on 73 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Bathrooms are kept super clean, as is the whole campground.' - Lesley Kelly 2. 'The 18 dispersed sites around the reservoir are spread out where you almost feel like you are alone.' - Chris H 3....
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Based on 73 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews include complaints about overgrown vegetation at sites 1-2 and noise from generators near site 30. Positive feedback highlights site 08's seclusion and cleanliness.
Based on 73 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are not explicitly reviewed by users, though vault toilets and gravel pads are mentioned as standard amenities.
Based on 73 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but some reviews note issues such as roaming dogs disturbing other campsites. Pet owners are encouraged to manage their animals responsibly.
Based on 73 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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