The best river, stream, or creek cabin rentals in Blue Mesa Reservoir

In the high mountain desert between Gunnison and Montrose, Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water in Colorado. Part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, the 29-mile-long reservoir offers 96 miles of shoreline surrounded by canyons and mesas. Stocked with fish and home to the largest kokanee salmon hatchery in the country, the fishing is legendary. Visitors also come to go boating, paddling, windsurfing, and swimming, as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and wildlife spotting. Campers can choose from more than 10 lakeside and boat-in campgrounds around the reservoir, with many more options available elsewhere in Curecanti National Recreation Area and Gunnison National Forest nearby.

71% (9)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Luna Vista Cabin & Camping

2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Hotchkiss, CO

Soak up this little hideaway overlooking the West Elks & Raggeds, Needle Rock and Castle Rock on our quaint and serene ‘Ceres’ Escape’ 2 acre space. Enjoy your stay in our rustic cabin, walking distance to town and with short drives to some of Colorado's most iconic, beautiful landscapes. Enjoy small town festivals of Hotchkiss & Paonia, local ciders, vineyards, orchards, organic farms, musicians & an eclectic art scene. Garden strolls, 420 friendly. Our campsite is primitive and offers your own firepit. To get to the campsite, you do have to drive up a hill and we recommend AWD or 4WD, especially in rainy weather. Our 10×24ft cabin is rustic; chic. Enjoy this off grid, solar powered, unique space with West Elk mtn views on the front porch, while sipping local wines, coffee, or tea. Queen mattress in loft w/futon below, houses 2 guests comfortably +2 to squeeze. Feel good about minimal water usage with a compostable toilet (located in a bathroom in the cabin) plus, an outdoor solar shower. 5 gal water avail for dish and handwashing. Cook inside with a propane 2 burner stove and enjoy a propane powered heater to stay cozy in the colder months in this serene nature’s retreat (camping/RV parking also avail)

2. Washington Gulch Getaway

1 site · Lodging · Crested Butte, CO

Welcome to the Washington Gulch Getaway! Don't miss this rare opportunity to stay at one of the most coveted homes in Crested Butte. Featuring 20 acres of private land surrounded by National Forest, ample mountain views and wildlife, 3 ponds, and trout stream, this 3-story creekside cabin is the perfect place for you and your friends or loved ones to enjoy the CO backcountry, or to simply relax and recharge. Book now to lock in your dates before they're gone; I would love to host your stay! ABOUT THE LOCATION: The Washington Gulch Getaway is your premier destination to enjoy a remote mountain retreat in the beautiful backcountry of Crested Butte, Colorado. Start your day watching the sun rise over Gothic Mountain before it slowly starts moving across a picturesque view of Whetstone. Enjoy the views from two decks and frequent visits from wildlife, including elk, deer, moose, bears, and beavers. Sit and sunbathe by the two small ponds, or grab your fishing rod and follow the creek down to the third pond with plenty of trout waiting to bite. Hand-built over decades by the legendary Phil P., take in the sights, sounds, and rich history of one of the oldest gold mining claims in Gunnison County as you walk the property to find hidden gems like an old sluce box, outhouse, and some of the original equipment used to create this one-of-a-kind oasis. You'll also find countless trinkets, treasures, and antiques throughout the home. End your day watching the sunset over Anthracite Mesa, where an old coal mine once stood in the 1890's, as deer and other wildlife return almost every evening to graze and visit the ponds. Some might even get as close as the front door!

In the high mountain desert between Gunnison and Montrose, Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water in Colorado. Part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, the 29-mile-long reservoir offers 96 miles of shoreline surrounded by canyons and mesas. Stocked with fish and home to the largest kokanee salmon hatchery in the country, the fishing is legendary. Visitors also come to go boating, paddling, windsurfing, and swimming, as well as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and wildlife spotting. Campers can choose from more than 10 lakeside and boat-in campgrounds around the reservoir, with many more options available elsewhere in Curecanti National Recreation Area and Gunnison National Forest nearby.

71% (9)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Luna Vista Cabin & Camping

2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Hotchkiss, CO

Soak up this little hideaway overlooking the West Elks & Raggeds, Needle Rock and Castle Rock on our quaint and serene ‘Ceres’ Escape’ 2 acre space. Enjoy your stay in our rustic cabin, walking distance to town and with short drives to some of Colorado's most iconic, beautiful landscapes. Enjoy small town festivals of Hotchkiss & Paonia, local ciders, vineyards, orchards, organic farms, musicians & an eclectic art scene. Garden strolls, 420 friendly. Our campsite is primitive and offers your own firepit. To get to the campsite, you do have to drive up a hill and we recommend AWD or 4WD, especially in rainy weather. Our 10×24ft cabin is rustic; chic. Enjoy this off grid, solar powered, unique space with West Elk mtn views on the front porch, while sipping local wines, coffee, or tea. Queen mattress in loft w/futon below, houses 2 guests comfortably +2 to squeeze. Feel good about minimal water usage with a compostable toilet (located in a bathroom in the cabin) plus, an outdoor solar shower. 5 gal water avail for dish and handwashing. Cook inside with a propane 2 burner stove and enjoy a propane powered heater to stay cozy in the colder months in this serene nature’s retreat (camping/RV parking also avail)

2. Washington Gulch Getaway

1 site · Lodging · Crested Butte, CO

Welcome to the Washington Gulch Getaway! Don't miss this rare opportunity to stay at one of the most coveted homes in Crested Butte. Featuring 20 acres of private land surrounded by National Forest, ample mountain views and wildlife, 3 ponds, and trout stream, this 3-story creekside cabin is the perfect place for you and your friends or loved ones to enjoy the CO backcountry, or to simply relax and recharge. Book now to lock in your dates before they're gone; I would love to host your stay! ABOUT THE LOCATION: The Washington Gulch Getaway is your premier destination to enjoy a remote mountain retreat in the beautiful backcountry of Crested Butte, Colorado. Start your day watching the sun rise over Gothic Mountain before it slowly starts moving across a picturesque view of Whetstone. Enjoy the views from two decks and frequent visits from wildlife, including elk, deer, moose, bears, and beavers. Sit and sunbathe by the two small ponds, or grab your fishing rod and follow the creek down to the third pond with plenty of trout waiting to bite. Hand-built over decades by the legendary Phil P., take in the sights, sounds, and rich history of one of the oldest gold mining claims in Gunnison County as you walk the property to find hidden gems like an old sluce box, outhouse, and some of the original equipment used to create this one-of-a-kind oasis. You'll also find countless trinkets, treasures, and antiques throughout the home. End your day watching the sunset over Anthracite Mesa, where an old coal mine once stood in the 1890's, as deer and other wildlife return almost every evening to graze and visit the ponds. Some might even get as close as the front door!

Public campgrounds in and near Blue Mesa Reservoir

Jackson Guard Station

1 site · in Uncompahgre National Forest

100%

(2)

Yurts

3 sites · in Ridgway State Park

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

100%

(5)

Ridgway State Park

Loghill Village, Colorado

85%

(23)

Uncompahgre National Forest

Ophir, Colorado

Other options in and near Blue Mesa Reservoir

The best river, stream, or creek cabins in Blue Mesa Reservoir guide

Where to go

Sapinero Basin

At the western end of the reservoir is the Sapinero Basin, with three arms branching off north and south, and four campgrounds. The largest campground in the area, Lake Fork, offers 90 tent and RV sites, along with a marina and an information center. The Ponderosa campground can be found along the Soap Creek Arm while the West Elk Creek boat-in campground can be found along the West Elk arm.

Cebolla Basin

Centrally located, the Cebolla Basin is home to the Dillon Pinnacles and Elk Creek Campground, offering 160 sites for tents and large RVs, with fire rings and picnic tables. It’s also the only campground with electric hookups. Near the Elk Creek Visitor Center are a boat ramp, fish cleaning station, and a seasonal marina and restaurant. The basin is also home to the Red Creek, Dry Creek, and East Elk Creek Group Campground, plus the Cebolla Creek boat-in campground.

Iola Basin

On the eastern end of the reservoir, the Iola Basin is home to the Stevens Creek Campground, with 53 tent and RV sites. The Turtle Rock boat-in campground can also be found in this area, along with several picnic areas, two boat launches, and the Lake City Bridge.

Curecanti National Recreation Area

To the west of Blue Mesa are two other lakes that form part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area—Morrow Point Lake and Crystal Lake. Just west of Blue Mesa, Morrow Point offers two boat-in campgrounds at Curecanti Creek and Hermits Rest. Further west, Crystal Lake offers one boat-in campground and two developed campgrounds for tents and RVs, including East Portal, at the far western end of Curecanti National Recreation Area and just below Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Gunnison National Forest

To the northwest of Blue Mesa River is the Gunnison National Forest, spanning more than 1.6 million acres. In addition to plenty of space for dispersed backcountry camping, there are more than 30 developed backgrounds that offer tent sites, RV sites, and cabins. The closest developed campgrounds to Blue Mesa Reservoir include Soap Creek Campground, with 21 campsites, Lake Irwin Campground, with 25 campsites, and the Lost Lake Campground-Paionia, with 18 campsites.