4.4930 reviews
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$18/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
33 campsites
Season
null
Cell
No Service
Pets
Pets Allowed
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$18/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
33 campsites
Season
null
Cell
No Service
Pets
Pets Allowed
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Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
Spring birders, hikers, and wildlife watchers who book months ahead. Tent campers in sites 19-33 get wooded walk-in privacy, a fire ring, and trail access to the Gainesville-Hawthorne paved path and bison-visible prairie. Reviewers consistently call the bathhouses spotless.
RVs over 40 feet will fight narrow paved roads with low tree canopies and tight turns. No sewer hookups, no camp store, and sites book out so fast that getting a reservation even a year out is a real challenge. Also note: campfires are currently banned countywide, charcoal grills
Context for the broader area surrounding Ppcg Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
Fruitgrowers Reservoir was created by <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Fruitgrowers+Dam">Fruitgrowers Dam</a> which crosses Alfalfa Run. Alfalfa Runs natural flow is augmented by diversions from Surface and Dry Creeks. The reservoir is the main feature of the <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Fruitgrowers Project">Fruitgrowers Dam Project</a>. Visitation is estimated at roughly 500 people per year. There are about 5 miles of shoreline, 4 of which are open to recreation. No water contact activities are allowed. Average elevation is about 5,400 feet above sea level. The site has only primitivefacilities and no on-site manager or law enforcement.In the spring, Fruitgrowers Reservoir wildlife viewing area offers a spectacular sight with thousands of sandhill cranes stopping over on their way north. The reservoir hosts the largest nesting colony of western grebes in Colorado and more than 200 species of birds have been sighted. Also, a variety of mammals (i.e., mule deer, fox, mink) and reptiles make the area their home. There is a hard-surface watchable wildlife trail, about 750 feet long with turnout. Brochures for Fruitgrowers and other Grand Junction areas may be acquired by contacting the Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau. You may call them at 1-800-962-2547 or 244-1480 for local calls.
Take Colorado Highway 92 northeast out of Delta. Go 4 miles to Colorado Highway 65, then 6 miles to the reservoir turnoff.
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Spring delivers the best weather. Daytime highs in the mid-60s to low-80s, nights in the 50s and 60s. Wildflowers bloom, breeding birds are active, and bison and horses are easier to spot before summer heat arrives. Mornings work well for fishing and photography on Lake Wauburg. Trails and paddling stay pleasant through April before humidity and bugs ramp up. Summer's heat makes the shaded sites more appealing, but expect afternoon thunderstorms and mosquitoes. December sees fewer crowds and easier last-minute bookings, though mornings can be chilly. Moderate weekend crowds pick up during spring break; midweek visits offer more solitude.
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
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The Ppcg Campground within Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park offers a variety of amenities catering to diverse camping needs. Campfire facilities are available with fire rings and grills provided. Most campsites include picnic tables and electric hookups (with both 15 and 30 amp options available at some sites), and water hookups are also provided. "Walk-in tent sites" are featured prominently, with some campsites being hike-in only, requiring vehicles to be parked up to 250 feet away. User remarks frequently mention the proximity of campsites to key facilities, such as being less than 400 feet from the bathhouse and less than 900 feet from the playground. Notably, campsite #019 is an accessible site designed for visitors with mobility disabilities, while hammock camping is permitted at campsite #027.
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