The best camping near Curecanti National Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Curecanti National Recreation Area adventure.

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Nestled high in the mountains west of Colorado Springs is a boater's paradise.

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Community favorites near Curecanti National Recreation Area

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Curecanti National Recreation Area

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Lake Fork Campground

64 sites · RVs, Tents In Curecanti National Recreation Area

Stevens Creek Campground

17 sites · RVs, Tents In Curecanti National Recreation Area

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Elk Creek Campground

75 sites · RVs, Tents In Curecanti National Recreation Area

Red Creek Group Campground

1 site · RV, Tent In Curecanti National Recreation Area

East Elk Creek Group Campground

1 site · RV, Tent In Curecanti National Recreation Area

Top-rated campgrounds near Curecanti National Recreation Area

Booked 13 times

Oasis RV Resort & Cottages

71 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Gunnison, CO

Oasis RV Resort & Cottages Gunnison Lakeside offers a beautiful location for short and long-term RV vacationers all year round. Our facilities include free Wi-Fi, electric and sewer hookups, pure drinking water, and shaded sites. Take advantage of the coin-operated guest laundry. We also offer RV and boat storage, a dog park, a picnic area with tables, and on-site propane sales. Enjoy the convenience of our general store selling such items as groceries, toiletries, fishing tackle, RV supplies, as well as souvenirs. We are conveniently located right across from beautiful Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado’s largest body of water, and Kokanee salmon fishery, and just 12 miles west of Gunnison on Highway 50 between mm 146 and 145. Our park’s location offers lake views and high country scenery being only a few miles away from Gunnison River, and Dos Rios Golf Club, and we share a border with Curecanti National Recreation Area. So you are only a short drive away from a boat ramp and marina. Local dining establishments include Garlic Mikes, Mario's, OL' Miners Steakhouse, 5 B's BBQ, Gunnison Pizza Co., and The W Cafe! We offer great rates to make your RV Park camping experience more affordable and enjoyable.

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Campfire Ranch on the Taylor

2 sites · Tents10 acres · CO

We believe campgrounds should be more fun, more accessible and more inclusive for all kinds of campers - that's why we started Campfire Ranch to make camping easier. Our campground is nestled between the granite walls of Taylor Canyon alongside the Taylor River in central Colorado, halfway between Gunnison and Crested Butte, CO. If you've never been to the area, get ready to be amazed, with over 2,500 square miles of public land, 700+ miles of singletrack trail and countless rivers, creeks and lakes to explore. We'll see y'all in the woods! Learn more about this land: *We will open May 19th for the 2023 season!* Camp and adventure in the Gunnison-Crested Butte valley at Campfire Ranch on the Taylor. Book now on our website for additional availability and site details at: Campfireranch.co - we feature walk-in tent only campsites, convenient amenities, demo camping equipment and a full Adventure Concierge service! Please contact us before booking if you are seeking a family focused experience - we do not have a kids area or playground and require that children under the age of 16 be in the company of an adult at all times due to our proximity to Co Rd 742 and the Taylor River. No multi-room tents are allowed at camp, we simply don't have the room, the largest tent size we can accommodate is 12'x12' - please inquire if you have specific tent questions. You can check-in with us anytime after 3pm the day of your reservation, please message us if you need to check-in after 8pm. All campers will be required to sign our release of liability waiver before camping (parents/guardians will have to sign for minors in your group) - you can review these terms and rules on our website: CampfireRanch.co

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Tater's Black Canyon Campground

3 sites · RVs, Tents35 acres · Crawford, CO

Hot showers and toilets are now available! Tater's was voted a top runner up as Best Hipcamp in Colorado. 35 acres of bliss shared with 2 humans, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 horses and 4 chickens. Eggs may be available upon request. Black Canyon National Park is a short drive to the west. Conveniently located to Crawford and the North Fork Valley to wineries, music fests and local eateries. Incredible views and dark skies make the perfect respite for just hanging out, climbing in the Black, foodie time in the North Fork Valley or pretty much whatever you like to do.

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Riverwalk Yurt, luxury on river

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents35 acres · Hotchkiss, CO

The House where we live is the corner stone of the Bruce Property and is on the Colorado Register of Historic Houses.The residence was constructed between 1905 and 1912, using red bricks made on the site. John and Sophia Bruce, early pioneers in the North Fork Valley, were first involved in cattle raising. The family later became successful fruit growers. Located along the West Elk Loop, a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway, the large two-story residence features a steeply pitched hipped roof with prominent attic dormers.As a guest of Riverwalk you will have full access to the river during your stay. In addition, there is the Riverwalk Trail System that skirts the North Fork of the Gunnison River from the top of the property, by the Riverwalk Yurt, (available on this site) meandering downstream past the Riverwalk TIPI (available on the site) passing the Grove Yurt (available on this site) and terminating at the bottom of the property with the sandy Riverwalk Beach. There is a trial that zigs through the Cottonwood Grove and zags back along the gentle Monitor Ditch skirting a newly planted grove of young trees.For RV Campers we provide 2- 30amp,1-50 amp and 1- 110-amp electrical services and potable water. There is a dump station available. There is also access to our heated shower house with running water and bathroom amenities (<3 min. walk, may be shared with other guests). The property is perfectly geared to groups of friends gathering in a central location between the onset of the Rockies and the termination high desert to the west. Friends or family will reserve both Yurts and the RV Site for a perfect reunion setting!

Booked 5 times

Darbywoods Mountain Lot

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Cimarron, CO

This is a one acre lot for just one RV located at 9500ft in the Colorado mountains between Montrose and Gunnison. Located half way between and six miles up the Alpine Plateau road this area is surrounded by BLM land and National Forest. The lot is located with full hook ups in a neighborhood with cabins and rv lots.

Booked 2 times

Balsam Bliss

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Cimarron, CO

Natural RV site at 9500 feet within Arrowhead Ranch. Electric (50 amp RV and 2 - 20 amp circuits), water, and septic on site. Enjoy nature on this primitive site. No WiFi provided and Cell Service is not ideal. No unapproved fire pits allowed. No firewood provided. Speed limit in Arrowhead is 20 mph. Arrowhead Mountain Lodge is a mile from the site. The lodge has a small convenience store and an excellent restaurant. In the summers, they offer musical groups on the weekends. Long Term Stays are available in Spring, Summer and early Fall. No winter camping allowed. Other things to note Hwy 867 is a gravel road. All roads within Arrowhead are gravel.

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Wild Abandon Ranch

1 site · RV, Tent50 acres · Paonia, CO

Wild Abandon Ranch is a gorgeous 50 acre property that we just acquired in March of 2023. Sadly, the property had been abandoned and neglected for over 20 years and we are doing our best to breath some new life into her. We are chasing those land dreams! This property has a wild amount of potential and an endless story of labor and we hope to bring a new vision and purpose to this very special place. The Hipcamp site is located down by the creek (on the SOUTH side of Minnesota Creek Rd) where you'll have total privacy and room to relax and explore. The deer trails are a great way to get lost amongst the trees and the rhythm of the creek. Just down the road further on Minnesota Creek Road is direct access to National Forest. Our property is only 3.5 miles from the town of Paonia so you're oh-so-close yet so far away from it all. Paonia is central to the abundant North Fork Valley and there is so much to experience in this area. From hiking, biking, camping, or swimming to touring the many vibrant vineyards or galleries. Your visit is directly contributing to this land's second chance. We hope you'll visit again and follow along in the evolution of Wild Abandon Ranch. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

Booked 4 times

Miller Flats

4 sites · Tents40 acres · Powderhorn, CO

Miller Flats is a privately own home on 40 acres bordered on 4 sides by Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Powderhorn Wilderness is literally in the back yard. You will find hiking and biking trails plentiful. The Lake Fork of the Gunnison River is just across the street, with public access just two miles away. If you are looking for Jeep or ATV trails, they are less than a mile down the road. We are twenty miles from the spectacular Alpine Loop! And twenty-five miles from Blue Mesa Reservoir. Tent sites include a firepit, and flat spot for tent. Water and electricity are available at the well house, but not the tent sites. Each campsite has a five gallon bucket of water, a camp potty with a removable bag that you dispose. There may be an outdoor shower available for an extra fee. Please do not plan on using the firepit unless we have had recent rain and the camp host approves. The grass around the campsite is a wildfire waiting to happen since we have been in a severe drought since 2021. There is a pile of wood near the cabin driveway that you can use for campfires. Please make sure you have a way to extinguish your fire. The road to the tent sites is BLM. It is not gravel, it is dirt. My car can get to most sites, but the camp host can help haul gear if you don’t want to drive down it. I have had several sedans drive the road, but if you have a low profile vehicle we can tote your supplies. Also, in spring the road may be muddy. Please have a 4 wheel drive. Just send me a message and we will make it work for you. Satellite Wifi is available near the well house, but somewhat spotty. Not great for downloading movies or gaming. Some people get cell service at the top of the hill, but otherwise there is very little in the area. Your tent sites are arranged around the property next to the wilderness and a BLM trail. You will be able to drive there. There is a log home on the center of the property, about a quarter mile or more away from the tent sites. We rent the property and a third of the time we are living on premises. There are gardens, barn cats, dogs and we are hoping to add a horse and a fuzzy cow. There are outdoor living areas between the log home and your sites. If you are interested in more seclusion, please see the Private Valley campsite. It has a ridge between the cabin, other campsites and the well house.

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Old Moon Acres Tipi Haven

7 sites · Lodging22 acres · Paonia, CO

Formerly known as the North Fork Tipi Haven, this 22 acres was once owned by International sculptor Lincoln Fox, and built by Mr. Wooten in the early 1900's as an apple orchard, Old Moon Acres is now home to Old Moon Acres Tipi Haven. The North Fork Valley of the Gunnison River, encompassing Crawford, Hotchkiss and Paonia, was an important fruit orchard area in the late 1800's and well into the early 1900's. The valley's climate is a banana belt, perfect for fruit with the cold air coming down from the mountains at night and the heat from the mesas warming up the valley during the day. Coal mines up the road in Bowie and Somerset paid better, so many of the orchards languished over the years. Since the closing of all the mines but one, today the NFV is home to the largest concentration of organic farms in the state of Colorado as well as becoming a state Creative District serving the multitudes of artist and creatives that call the valley home. There are many pick-your-own peaches, cherries, apples, pears, nectarines and if we are lucky, apricots, in the valley. Delicious Orchards, 1 mile down Hwy 133, is an excellent place to pick your own, drink local hard cider and listen to live music on the weekend over a wonderful brunch. It is all about the farms, cattle, art, music, outdoor adventure, fun and relaxation here in the North Fork Valley. The tipis are custom made by the Colorado Yurt Company in Montrose, Colorado where they have been making yurts, tents and tipis since 1976. The tipis are expertly designed and made with custom paintings invoking the animal spirits that inhabit our land. These are a Sioux design tipi as the Ute's mainly lived in wiki-ups until they were introduced to the tipi in the 1800's. The Ute's appropriated the tipi design from the Sioux or Plains Natives. We have solar showers (solar bags of water heated by the sun during the day) available for free. Showers are also available at the local laundromat in Hotchkiss. Our goal is to awaken your sense of wonder by sleeping out in nature and waking up to the Colorado blue sky in clean, clear air at 5500 ft. You can visit the many high altitude wineries, fruit orchards, organic farms, farm-to-table restaurants, great music, interesting movies at the community owned Paradise Theater, art at the Creamery Arts Center in Hotchkiss, stand-up paddle boarding, WSSUP, at Crawford reservoir, mountain biking in Grand Mesa, hiking in the West Elks, rafting down the Gunnison river in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, fishing up canyon in the coolness of the forest or relaxing in one of many hot springs within an hour of us. Colorado Detours is highly recommended by us to take you and yours on a hiking, farm, wine, or geology tour of the area. Aspen, Crested Butte (over Kebler Pass), Glenwood Springs, Gunnison, Ouray, Grand Junction, Ridgeway and Telluride all are about an hour or two away by car. Welcome to Colorado.

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Rain Crow Farm

10 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Paonia, CO

Rain Crow Farm is a small, organic farm located in the pristine North Fork Valley on Colorado’s Western Slope. The campsites here are right along the river, surrounded by tall cottonwoods and stunning Mountain View’s. There is a shallow swimming hole and plenty of riverbank hangout spots. The farm is walking distance from Paonia and hiking, biking, fishing, wine tours and ATV tracks are all within a few miles reach. Campers who stay with us with have access to produce from the farm, including eggs, goat milk, and loads of fresh salad greens. Wake up to sound of birds and rivers’ flow. Because of our diverse livestock, dogs must be on a leash at all times here. Thank you!

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Coworking Space with Mountain Views

5 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Montrose, CO

We bought a school house! Our long-term plan is to build out a full campground on the property, but in the interim we will be offering boondocking. While we are under construction on the outdoor space, the main building that we have converted into a coworking space is available for our guests to use from the hours of 9AM - 6PM. Unfortunately, we are on old agricultural land so the sites are in the direct sun during the day. Please be aware that it gets hot out here in the summer and take this into consideration when booking your stay with us. Please note that there is only one camping structure allowed per site (one tent, one rv, one van, etc.). Since we are under construction we ask that you use caution when pulling into the lot. Our property is also on a bike trail that connects to 70 miles of (mostly paved) bike trails across the town of Montrose. Please reach out with any questions. We look forward to hosting you!

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Double Rose Ranch

5 sites · Tents110 acres · Crawford, CO

The only and closest Hipcamp under the steady majesty of Needlerock! This area was Ute land first and Needlerock was ceremonial ground. We have lots of large fields (110 acres) A river running through to dip into and secluded areas to be at one with the magical beauty here. Once a working sheep ranch we are now taking time to dream into this magical place and it’s next incarnation. Come pitch a tent or use one of ours and share in this ranch paradise. We limit each camping spot to two people. There are mosquitos down by the creek at certain times in the summer in the evening, so we recommend bringing some bug spray. There is a fridge in the barn to keep small things cold and tables to use to sit and enjoy the rustic lux surroundings. We will be providing a bathroom so please only #1 (pee) outdoors. The land is big although we have five camping spots listed, and they are mowed all summer, there is plenty of room to usually be able to choose your own exact spot. This is a cut above basic camping!

The best camping near Curecanti National Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

Curecanti Creek contains three reservoirs on the Gunnison River. Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's largest body of water, and it's very popular. Summertime brings out plenty of boats thanks to two marinas and five boat launches.

BYOB or rent a boat from a nearby outfitter. Deep waters of the reservoirs and canyons contain a copious amount of fish. Try to snag a huge lake trout or Kokanee salmon. Some areas even allow ice fishing in winter.

Curecanti Creek has something for everyone, even if you're a landlubber. Cimarron Visitor Center displays some narrow gauge railroad cars that delve into the mining history of the area. Elk Creek Visitor Center explains the natural history of the Gunnison River. Get up close to wildlife and wildflowers along the many miles of hiking trails here.

Ten campgrounds offer year-round home bases for your outdoor excursion. Elk Creek has 160 sites with full RV hook-ups.

Notable campgrounds

Elk Creek Campground – A gateway to Blue Mesa Reservoir with facilities for both RVs and tents.
Lake Fork Campground – Offers a cozy spot for anglers and boaters alike, with easy access to the water.
Stevens Creek Campground – Perfect for those seeking a quieter camping experience with scenic views.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early, as spots fill up quickly, especially during peak summer months.
Check for cancellations regularly to snag a last-minute reservation.
Consider visiting during the shoulder seasons for better availability.
Explore nearby camping options for alternative accommodations when the park is full.

When to go

The best time to visit Curecanti is from late spring to early fall, when the weather is warm and all facilities are open. Winter can be harsh, with limited access and services, but offers a tranquil, snowy landscape for the intrepid.

Know before you go

Check weather conditions and prepare for sudden changes, as the park is at a high elevation.
Watercraft inspections are mandatory to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Be aware of wildlife and practice safe viewing distances.
Some areas may be closed due to weather or conservation efforts, so verify accessibility in advance.
Bring all necessary supplies, as amenities are limited in certain parts of the park.