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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 adventure.

100% (2 reviews)
100% (2 reviews)

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

Top-rated campgrounds near Curecanti National Recreation Area

95%
(144)

Tater's Black Canyon Campground

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents35 acres ¡ Crawford, CO
Coming soon! Hot showers and toilets will be available end of May. 35 acres of mountain bliss shared with 2 humans, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 3 horses and 5 chickens. Eggs may be available upon request. 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.
from 
$33
 / night
99%
(271)

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!
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$35
 / night
98%
(31)

Pine Ridge Botanical Sanctuary

1 site ¡ Lodging2 acres ¡ Ridgway, CO
This handsome Earthwork's tipi is situated in a private location amidst a lovely Ponderosa pine grove on the West side of the Uncompaghre river valley. Abundant birds fill the forest with their song and the tipi deck is a great perch for watching them flit through the forest. The land is just 10 minutes from Ridgway or ten minutes to Ouray (by car). The tipi sits on an elevated deck to provide a flat, dry space and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. It is comfortably appointed with a memory foam pad atop a futon bed with clean sheets and cozy blankets. There's a propane cook stove, a picnic table, a few lounge chairs and fresh drinking water. Cheery solar-powered fairy lights make it easy to see inside at night and the shady hammock spot should not be missed for those seeking a blissful afternoon nap. Guests are most welcome to use the private, indoor, 3/4 bathroom in the apothecary shop at the main house on the property. A 2 minute walk along a nature trail from the tipi gets you there. Towels and toiletries are not provided. There are over 80 varieties of medicinal plants growing on the property. Some are in formal and informal gardens, others in the greenhouse and others grow wild in the forest. A comprehensive line of botanical products are created in the Apothecary on site. Tours are available by appointment. (970) 708-0236 Activities close by include: hiking trails within minutes of the land, rock climbing in Ridgway and Ouray, a via ferrata, the box canyon waterfall and hot springs are all just ten minutes away.
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$85
 / night
100%
(70)

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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$78
 / night
100%
(46)

Coworking Space with Mountain Views

5 sites ¡ RVs, Tents6 acres ¡ Montrose, CO
We bought a school house! The property was was built in 1945 and has been recently renovated, just south of Montrose and sits on almost 15 acres of farmland. 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 is available for our guests to use. Inside the building we have Fiber internet, bathrooms, and coworking space. Please remember, we are under construction, so there is quite a bit happening around the campground outside during the day. We have several options for HipCampers. We have several large trees which you can park under and will have partial shade throughout the day with mountain views or if you want full sun and would prefer to be out by our creek, we have that too! 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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$35
 / night
100%
(9)

Meadows of San Juan RV Resort

112 sites ¡ RVs30 acres ¡ Colona, CO
Meadows of San Juan is located in Colorado's high desert region and is conveniently situated near some of the area's most popular attractions, including Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Ouray Hot Springs, and Colorado National Monument. Our RV park is family, pet, and big rig-friendly, with 120 spacious Full Hook-Up Pull-thru or Back-in Sites equipped with 30 amp and 50 amp service. Each site features a picnic table, complimentary Wi-Fi, and stunning Colorado views. You can even stay hooked up if you're only staying for one night. Our vacation cabins are cozy and comfortable, featuring wooden decks, a full bed, and a set of twin bunks that can accommodate up to four people. Each cabin comes with a small kitchenette equipped with a cooktop and refrigerator, and a charcoal grill and picnic table are available outside. The cabins also have a full bathroom with a shower, sink, and toilet. For a more rustic camping experience, we offer primitive cabins that sleep four comfortably with two bunk beds and an air mattress, but no heat, electricity, kitchen, or bathroom. We offer a range of amenities and activities for guests to enjoy, including a seasonal indoor/outdoor pool, billiards, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and pedal karts. Other amenities include WiFi, propane, a general store where firewood is sold, and access to communal fire rings for campfire nights. For families with children and pets, there is a playground and a "Bark Park" for off-leash exercise. The resort also has an event center available for groups, reunions, weddings, and other celebrations. The scenic views and beauty of Montrose, CO enhance your camping experience with added value. Discover and explore the authentic Colorado experience with Meadows of San Juan RV Resort as your ideal "home base".
from 
$50
 / night
93%
(133)

4 Leg Adventures Non Profit

8 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents46 acres ¡ Paonia, CO
A Beautiful and quiet small ranch two miles from town and one mile from national forest. Our property is home of 4 Leg Adventures Non Profit. 4 leg Adventures offers conventional riding lessons, Alexander Technique Riding Lessons, and Trail rides for experienced riders. They also do Equine and wilderness based summer camps.
from 
$30
 / night
Booked 3 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.
from 
$25
 / night
98%
(416)

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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$65
 / night
98%
(93)

Zenzen Gardens

33 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres ¡ Paonia, CO
We are now the official tasting room for Alfred Eames Cellars beginning May 15th. The tasting room will be open from 11:00am - 6:00 pm. Come sit under the veranda and taste some exceptional local wines. The property is also a music venue with two performance sites in the barn and a stage by the pond. We also offer farm-to-table dinners throughout the summer, and tapas on Thursdays. Check out our calendar for concerts and dinner dates at www.zenzengardens.com There is veranda seating to enjoy the beautiful flower gardens and where you can access the internet. At the turn of the century, this farm was a dairy operation with its huge old red barn built in the 1880's. The property is pastoral, relaxing, rural and beautiful! It is surrounded by hay and alfalfa fields. It is very quiet with wide open spaces. You might see deer, fox, Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, Red Tail Hawks and Red Wing Blackbirds, just to name a few.
from 
$35
 / night
98%
(191)

Sage View Ranch

24 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres ¡ Paonia, CO
After traveling the US in our motorhome for almost 5 years my husband Scott and I know the value of a smiling face and a helping hand after a day (or week) of travel. Exploring and experiencing this amazing country, its diversity and incredible people enhanced our lives in so many ways. In mid 2017 we found out our first grandchild was on the way. Long story short we parked the RV and parked ourselves here in Paonia, CO. In December of that year, we moved onto this amazing property full time and started the long list of fix ups (the list is still long). lol We are blessed to have our two adult sons and (aforementioned) grandson living on this property with us. Our philosophy is to live in the moment as the present is the gift. Whether enjoying a sunrise or a sunset or anytime in between you’ll likely find us outside most days. In that, we love all that nature has to offer including fresh fruits and veggies, animals, beauty and fragrances. Sage View Ranch is being created with the desire to have people experience the natural rustic beauty and magic of Paonia. Scott and I look forward to meeting you :)
from 
$30
 / night
99%
(36)

Mount Hayden Backcountry Lodge

2 sites ¡ Lodging35 acres ¡ Ouray, CO
This property came to me through a family connection and we are thrilled to share it with others. In the spring you ski or hike to the property from Camp Bird Road. Spring skiing or snow shoeing is spectacular. The road to the property is open late June or early July through October and is real 4WD or you can hike or bike in. There are many incredible waterfalls on site. The summer months bring wildflowers galore and lots of wildlife, along with great hiking on the surrounding 13 and 14 thousand foot peaks. Ouray and all of it's amenities are a quick seven miles away. Learn more about this land: This listing is for a new lodge Remote, pristine with full amenities and two gourmet meals each day included. The Mount Hayden Backcountry Lodge is located at 11,200 ft. in Richmond Basin off of the Imogene Pass jeep trail between Ouray and Telluride, Colorado. Situated in a gorgeous forest the lodge provides comfort and full amenities. There are two private rooms and two partitioned bunk spaces as well.  There is cell and internet. The conventional plumbing can even deliver a hot shower with amazing spring water. Bring your own sheet and pillowcase or sleeping bag but there are plenty of blankets here.  Hike, bike or drive off road ready, high clearance 4WD in from Camp Bird (required).  The base rate is $120/person/night, $25/dog/stay and chef/owner caters breakfast and dinner at your convenience. All dietary needs can be accommodated.  You won't believe the wood fired hot tub! Please see Haydenbackcountry.com for more information and exact directions. Do not attempt to arrive here using a navigations app!
from 
$150
 / night

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.

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