How much does camping cost at East Portal Campground?

Camping fees at East Portal Campground range from $20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is East Portal Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

East Portal Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at East Portal Campground before I book?

Yes! East Portal Campground has 7 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit East Portal Campground?

East Portal Campground is open April 15 to September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at East Portal Campground?

East Portal Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does East Portal Campground have?

East Portal Campground has 15 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at East Portal Campground?

Pets are not allowed at East Portal Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at East Portal Campground?

East Portal Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

East Portal Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at East Portal Campground?

Fire policies at East Portal Campground: STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES . Remove plants, seeds, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicles. Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. Stay on designated roads and trails, and follow local guidelines for firewood . CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and any other recreational equipment that contacts water. Dispose of unwanted bait, worms, fish parts, or other organisms into the trash and not into the environment. For more information visit the National Invasive . Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.53

52 reviews

East Portal Campground

Top 5%Summer

Scenic ViewsPeace & QuietStargazing

Featured in:Tent Camping

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,526 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Closed in winter whe...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Curecanti National Recreation Area (campground); adjacent/access via Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,526 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Closed in winter whe...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Curecanti National Recreation Area (campground); adjacent/access via Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Official Website

Get Directions

East Portal Campground

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

East Portal: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

970-641-2337 x205

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to East Portal Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

East Portal Campground

38.5271, -107.6495

Weather at East Portal Campground

Current alerts(3)

East Portal Campground is at the base of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, down a steep (17% grade) and curvy road. Vehicles in excess of 22' of total length are prohibited on this road.
East Portal Campground is closed in winter, when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road.
The East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which charges a $30 per vehicle entrance fee. You will pay this fee upon arrival (or purchase in advance ).

Best Time to Camp at East Portal Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable access — East Portal Road is open and daytime temperatures are comfortable for river activities (typically ~70–85°F) while nights cool to the 40s–50s. This is prime time for rafting/float trips, shore fishing, and hiking in the canyon when the Gunnison River is running steadily and services (potable water, trash) are available. Expect busier weekends at the tiny 15-site campground, but overall crowds remain moderate compared with larger front-country park Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 5% in US

Summer is the 'most reliable' window; road stays open and temps are ideal (70–85°F).

Planning Tips

Peak Season: April 15 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Closed in winter when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road; campground is seasonally open when road access is available.

About East Portal Campground

East Portal Campground sits at the bottom of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, directly on the Gunnison River in Curecanti National Recreation Area. This small, budget-friendly campground offers vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables for tent and RV campers. The steep, winding East Portal Road descends into the canyon, delivering visitors to a quiet riverside setting prized for fishing, rafting put-ins, and dramatic canyon walls.

Fifteen total sites: ten are walk-in tent-only sites and five are vehicle-accessible sites.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable access — East Portal Road is open and daytime temperatures are comfortable for river activities (typically ~70–85°F) while nights cool to the 40s–50s. This is prime time for rafting/float trips, shore fishing, and hiking in the canyon when the Gunnison River is running steadily and services (potable water, trash) are available. Expect busier weekends at the tiny 15-site campground, but overall crowds remain moderate compared with larger front-country park Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation6526 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a rare position at the canyon floor, surrounded by ancient Precambrian rock that records mountain-building events from 1.7 billion years ago. The Gunnison River runs steadily through camp, carving deeper into some of the oldest exposed rock in North America. Box elder trees provide shade across the sites. The canyon walls create dramatic light shifts throughout the day and exceptional darkness at night for stargazing. Direct river access makes wading and fishing easy. The setting feels more secluded and serene than views from the rim suggest.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation Platformshttps://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74332

Total Campsites15 campsites

Recommended SitesCampground consists of 10 walk-in tent-only sites and 5 vehicle-accessible sites; all sites are shaded by box elder trees and include a fire pit, grill and picnic table.

Amenities available

Small campground of 15 sites (10 walk-in tent-only; 5 vehicle-accessible). Seasonal potable water access and seasonal trash collection are provided. Each campsite has a fire pit, grill, and picnic table; food storage in bear boxes is required. The campground has vault toilets only.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Located at the bottom of Black Canyon along the Gunnison River, the site offers plentiful shade and abundant views of the canyon and Curecanti, with nearby access to the Gunnison River for riverside and scenic experiences.

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

Food Storage RequiredFood storage in bear boxes is required; bear boxes are provided for food storage.

Fire PolicySTOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES . Remove plants, seeds, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicles. Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. Stay on designated roads and trails, and follow local guidelines for firewood . CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and any other recreational equipment that contacts water. Dispose of unwanted bait, worms, fish parts, or other organisms into the trash and not into the environment. For more information visit the National Invasive

Trash & RecyclingSeasonal trash collection available; food storage in bear boxes is required.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.5

52 reviews

Top-Rated

East Portal Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about East Portal Campground, describing it as beautiful, quiet, and one of the best camping spots they’ve visited. They especially highlight the dramatic canyon setting, riverside location, great fishing, dark skies, and overall sense of seclusion and serenity. Several note that the steep, winding access road is intense but worth the effort once you arrive.

Review Summaries

Based on 52 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the stunning canyon scenery, proximity to the river, and excellent fishing. The campground is consistently described as quiet, secluded, and serene, with great opportunities for...

Based on 52 reviews

Common Concerns

There are very few complaints in these reviews. The only recurring concern is about the bathrooms, with one reviewer saying they “need a little attention,” while another later review praises the...

Based on 52 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer notes that “you must schlep you camp gear into it,” implying at least some sites are walk-in rather than drive-in. Another mentions that each spot has a fire pit and picnic table, and...

Based on 52 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviewers recommend arriving early because sites are first-come, first-served and limited. Multiple comments stress using low gear and being prepared for the very steep, windy 16% grade road;...

Based on 52 reviews

Camper Quotes

“East Portal is a beautiful campground and has amazing fishing with friendly and helpful ranges. The campground is tucked back in the trees at the base of the hill. Quiet secluded and serene.” “%16...

Based on 52 reviews

Accessibility Features

Multiple reviews emphasize that the access road is steep, winding, and “not for the faint of heart,” with a 16% grade and switchbacks that can cause brake issues if driven improperly. Reviewers also...

Based on 52 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Nearby Campgrounds

4.5

(52)

East Portal Campground

102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO, 81230, USA

East Portal Campground sits along the Gunnison River at the base of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, operated by the National Park Service. This small, mid-elevation forest campground serves anglers and river enthusiasts who want direct water access in one of Colorado's most dramatic canyon settings. The intimate scale and riverside location make it a base camp for fishing, hiking, and exploring the inner canyon.