East Portal Campground

4.40

44 reviews

Quick Facts

6,526 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Closed in winter whe...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Curecanti National Recreation Area (campground); adjacent/access via Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,526 ft

Price

$30/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Closed in winter whe...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Curecanti National Recreation Area (campground); adjacent/access via Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park site

Get Directions

East Portal Campground

$30.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Black Canyon of the Gunnison charges a $30 per vehicle entrance fee payable upon arrival or in advance (https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74332)....

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

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

What Campers Say

4.40

Recommended

Based on 44 reviews

55 Google reviews

Most mentioned

sceneryquietcleanfriendly

"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."

Read all reviews

Fees & Passes at East Portal Campground

$30/night

Campsite fees

Prices verified December 10, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Curecanti National Recreation Area (campground); adjacent/access via Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park website.

Best Time to Camp at East Portal Campground

The campground welcomes visitors seasonally, with winter closures coinciding with the Bureau of Reclamation's closure of East Portal Road. During the operating season, you'll find potable water and trash collection services available. Plan your visit for the warmer months when the road is open and the canyon comes alive with activity, though be prepared for cooler temperatures at the canyon bottom even in summer.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

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

Tucked at the base of the dramatic Black Canyon of the Gunnison, East Portal Campground offers an intimate 15-site retreat where towering canyon walls meet the rushing Gunnison River. This hidden gem sits within Curecanti National Recreation Area, accessible only through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park via the winding East Portal Road—a seasonal route that closes each winter, making this a true warm-weather destination.

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

Weather and SeasonsThe campground welcomes visitors seasonally, with winter closures coinciding with the Bureau of Reclamation's closure of East Portal Road. During the operating season, you'll find potable water and trash collection services available. Plan your visit for the warmer months when the road is open and the canyon comes alive with activity, though be prepared for cooler temperatures at the canyon bottom even in summer.

ElevationDescend nearly 2,000 feet from the canyon rim to reach the campground at 6,526 feet elevation, where you'll find yourself nestled in a completely different microclimate at the canyon floor. The Gunnison River flows just steps away, having carved this magnificent gorge over millions of years, creating a sheltered environment that feels worlds apart from the exposed rim above.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits in a natural cathedral where ancient Precambrian rock walls soar overhead and the Gunnison River provides a constant, soothing soundtrack. Mature box elder trees create a canopy of dappled shade throughout the camping area, offering respite from the sun while you soak in views that shift with the light—from golden morning glow to dramatic afternoon shadows cast by the canyon walls. Direct river access invites fishing, wading, or simply contemplating the raw power of water that shaped this geological wonder. Every campsite offers a front-row seat to one of Colorado's most spectacular landscapes, where the intimate scale of the canyon bottom reveals details you'd never see from above.

Geological RegionThis unique campground occupies a rare position at the bottom of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, where the Gunnison River continues its patient work of carving through some of the oldest exposed rock in North America. Straddling the boundary between Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the location offers a geological perspective found nowhere else—surrounded by nearly vertical walls of 1.7-billion-year-old metamorphic rock that tell the story of ancient mountain-building events and the relentless erosive power of water.

Campsite details

Total Campsites15 campsites

Recommended CampsitesCampground 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.

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 are not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layout15 sites total: 10 walk-in tent-only sites and 5 vehicle-accessible sites; shaded by box elder trees; vault toilets on site.

Open and Closed SeasonClosed in winter when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road; campground is seasonally open when road access is available.

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

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

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

Campground is closed in winter when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
Each campsite has a fire pit and grill.

Hazards

General hazardsFood storage in bear boxes is required (bear presence implied by requirement).

Weather at East Portal Campground

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Clear sky

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 64%

Wind: 0.6 mph

Clear sky

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Trash and recyclingSeasonal trash collection available; food storage in bear boxes is required.

Proximity to water featuresLocated along the Gunnison River with nearby river access.

Campground Map

East Portal Campground

Driving directionsAfter entering Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, turn right on East Portal Rd and follow it for 5.5 miles (8.7 km). Note: East Portal Campground is closed in winter, when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road.

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.4

44 reviews

Recommended

East Portal Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% 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 44 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 44 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 44 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 44 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 44 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 44 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 44 reviews