Is Soap Creek first-come first-served or reservation?

Soap Creek operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Soap Creek?

Soap Creek does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Soap Creek?

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

Soap Creek

4.35

20 reviews

Soap Creek

Peace & Quiet

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

7,740 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

7,740 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Soap Creek

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

N/A

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Soap Creek

38.5479, -107.3178

Weather at Soap Creek

Best Time to Camp at Soap Creek

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access, warmest daytime temperatures, and the longest days for camping and exploring—expect highs around 65–85°F and cool nights in the mid-30s to 50°F at 7,740 ft. This is prime time for general camping, stargazing and day hikes (plan hikes for mornings to avoid frequent afternoon monsoon storms in July–August). Weekends are busier but the campground’s remote, first-come-first-served character still delivers plenty of solitude; bring layers, rain gear, and have a Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Seasonal info: 'Summer brings the most reliable access and the warmest weather.'

Planning Tips

About Soap Creek

Soap Creek sits at 7,740 feet in a remote corner of Colorado where cell service drops out and the first-come, first-served tradition still applies. The campground draws visitors willing to trade convenience for solitude. Download the Recreation.gov app before you arrive. You'll need the offline QR code to pay.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access, warmest daytime temperatures, and the longest days for camping and exploring—expect highs around 65–85°F and cool nights in the mid-30s to 50°F at 7,740 ft. This is prime time for general camping, stargazing and day hikes (plan hikes for mornings to avoid frequent afternoon monsoon storms in July–August). Weekends are busier but the campground’s remote, first-come-first-served character still delivers plenty of solitude; bring layers, rain gear, and have a Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: December, January

Elevation7740 ft above sea level

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsOn-site Scan and Pay via the Recreation.gov mobile app may be available to pay for campsites (requires the Recreation.gov mobile app).

Recommended SitesDownload the free Recreation.gov mobile app (https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app) prior to arrival to enable Scan and Pay if cellular service is unavailable on-site.

Amenities available

This campground is first-come, first-served only; visitors must physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. On-site payment may be possible by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app and the Scan and Pay feature if that option is available.

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.4

20 reviews

Recommended

Soap Creek is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Review Summaries

No review summaries available for this campground yet.

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Go if

Campers who can arrive mid-week, have the Recreation.gov app pre-loaded for offline QR payment, and want genuine quiet at elevation without competing for a reserved slot.

Skip if

Weekend warriors counting on a site being open will gamble and lose. No reservations, no cell signal to check availability en route, and afternoon monsoons from July through August make it a hard sell for anyone without flexible timing or rain gear.

Nearby Campgrounds

0.0

(3)

Ponderosa Campground (Co)

Ponderosa Campground, Soap Creek Road, Colorado

Ponderosa Campground sits at 7,880 feet in Curecanti National Recreation Area, offering budget-friendly tent, RV, and primitive sites with direct access to Blue Mesa Reservoir. This small, seasonally operated campground provides vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables in a high-elevation alpine setting. Visitors launch boats, paddle the reservoir, and watch wildlife during summer months when conditions are most reliable.

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

21001 Hwy 50, Gunnison, CO 81230, USA

Red Creek Group Site sits in Curecanti National Recreation Area near Gunnison, offering high-elevation alpine access to Blue Mesa Reservoir. Operated by the National Park Service, this group-only campground provides vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables for organized gatherings. Visitors fish the reservoir, hike nearby trails, and watch wildlife along the water's edge.

$60.00 - $60.00 / night

102 ELK CREEK, GUNNISON, CO 81230, USA

Lake Fork Campground sits on the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir in Curecanti National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service. This large, high-elevation alpine campground offers tent and RV sites with flush toilets, showers, and a dump station. Visitors fish, boat, hike, and watch wildlife along the reservoir, with fall bringing vivid aspen color and quieter shorelines.

$24.00 - $24.00 / night

Less Visited

3.9

(14)

East Elk Creek Group Campsite

23935 Hwy 50, Gunnison, CO, 81230, USA

East Elk Creek Group Campsite sits in the high-elevation alpine country of Curecanti National Recreation Area, near Gunnison. Operated by the National Park Service, this small group-only site offers privacy and direct access to Blue Mesa Reservoir for boating and fishing. Fall brings kokanee salmon runs and brilliant aspen color, making it a prime spot for wildlife viewing and fishing along the shore.

1 campsites

Reservable

14.438 km

$120.00 - $120.00 / night

Elk Creek Campground sits at 7,540 feet on the shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir in Curecanti National Recreation Area, operated by the National Park Service. This large campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites with electric hookups and a dump station, serving as a base for boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking. Reviewers praise spacious, level sites and nightly ranger talks, though wind and limited shade are common trade-offs at this high-elevation alpine setting.

$24.00 - $34.00 / night

Frequently Visited

4.1

(121)

Stevens Creek Campground

29130 Hwy 50

Stevens Creek Campground sits on the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir in Curecanti National Recreation Area, about 20 miles west of Gunnison. This mid-sized campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Visitors come for fishing, boating, swimming, and wildlife viewing on Colorado's largest body of water, with spacious sites and clean facilities maintained by friendly hosts.

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

4.0

(44)

Cimarron Campground

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Cimarron Campground sits at 6,895 feet in Curecanti National Recreation Area near Montrose, Colorado, offering tent and RV camping with flush toilets and potable water. Summer brings reliable weather and easy access to Crystal Reservoir fishing, canyon viewpoints, and historic railroad exhibits, with warm days (70–85°F) and cool nights (40–50°F). The campground is known for clean facilities and attentive hosts, though some reviewers note rusty water and bright utility lighting.

Cimarron Campground (Co)

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Cimarron Campground sits in mid-elevation forest within Curecanti National Recreation Area, near Montrose and Crystal Reservoir. Operated by Recreation.gov, this small campground offers tent and RV sites with flush toilets, potable water, and a dump station. Visitors fish for trout in Crystal Reservoir, hike canyon trails, and explore nearby railroad exhibits in a quiet setting.

$24.00 - $24.00 / night

3.5

(15)

Red Bridge Campground

210 West Spencer Avenue, Gunnison, CO 81230, USA

Red Bridge Campground sits along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River near Lake City, managed by the BLM's Gunnison Field Office. This very small, primitive riverside site offers vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables but no potable water. Campers come for riverside fishing, fall aspen color along the Silver Thread Byway, and exceptional stargazing in a quiet high-elevation setting.

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Pitkin Campground sits at 9,390 feet in Colorado's mountains near the small town of Pitkin. Sites are first-come, first-served, so arrive early in the day during summer to avoid getting shut out. Cell service is limited or nonexistent, and you'll need the Recreation.gov app downloaded in advance to use the QR code payment system.

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Rivers End sits at 9,364 feet in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, offering high-elevation alpine camping with vault toilets and primitive tent sites. Visitors come for the scenic views, fishing opportunities, and tranquil atmosphere during the summer season when access is most reliable and alpine streams run full. The campground provides a quiet base for anglers and those seeking cooler mountain temperatures.

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Cement Creek is a high-elevation alpine campground in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest operated by Recreation.gov. This primitive campground accommodates both tent and RV camping along a mountain river corridor surrounded by aspen and mixed-conifer forest. Reviewers consistently praise the clean vault toilets, wildflower displays, and peaceful setting that stays accessible for early-season camping.

Bootleg is a high-elevation alpine campground at 8,396 feet in Colorado's PSICC recreation area. Summer brings the most reliable access and warmest conditions, with daytime highs around 55–75°F and cool nights dipping into the 30s–40s. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, so mornings are best for activities.

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Reservable

80.998 km

No fees available

Campgrounds

Soap Creek

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Soap Creek sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>This campground provides access to the southern trails of the West Elk Wilderness. On site is Coal Mesa Trailhead, which is the portal for a network of trails including 451.2 (Coal Mesa), 451 and 452. Horse corrals and bins are located adjacent to the campground. 21 campsites.</p>

Open Season: May 23 – Sept. 29