The best waterside campgrounds near Crested Butte, Colorado

Surrounded by wilderness and mountains, Crested Butte is often called “Colorado’s last great ski town,” renowned for both downhill and Nordic skiing. It also shines in summer, with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities that include hundreds of miles of epic mountain bike trails, hiking, fishing, rafting, and more. It’s home to a registered historic district and a lively festival scene. Numerous areas near Crested Butte and Mount Crested Butte offer camping, including private campgrounds and RV parks, developed forest service campgrounds, and primitive wilderness sites.

92% (1.5K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Crested Butte

1. Gondola Village at Holy Cross

93%

(160)

46mi from Crested Butte · 4 sites · Lodging

Gondola Village at Holy Cross is a little sanctuary in the mountains between Vail, Leadville, and Aspen. There is little nearby except for the next door Holy Cross Wilderness, with a lifetime worth of trails, lakes, and peaks to explore -- all only two hours from Denver. Gondola Village at Holy Cross has direct access that many dream of to Colorado's water wilderness, and some of the best backcountry skiing, hiking, scrambling, backpacking, and fly fishing in the Summit Vail Eagle Aspen area. Our modern alpine cabins are some of the cutest cabins you'll step foot in, complete with a mix of amenities to make your wilderness stay a bit more comfortable. Gondola Village at Holy Cross is at 11.5k feet above sea level (believed to be the highest altitude Hipcamp in the world). Gondola Village at Holy Cross has been featured on Discovery Channel’s Reclaimed, Airbnb's OMG! Fund, Arch Digest, and the site of many product shoots. The managers of this property have worked in yurt, ADU, and cabin construction and hospitality for many years and have brought together some of the best Scandinavian and modern design with a mining town aesthetic. The trip up can be challenging (only off-road, winch / locker equipped vehicles dare try the 759 Holy Cross City jeep road, others will need to hike in at least 2.5 miles), but the views and cabins are well worth the trek. Snow free season tends to be June 15 an October 30 annually, and outside of this guests should be prepared for up to 11 miles of over-snow travel with no cars allowed (a bit less depending on snow coverage in the shoulder seasons from May 21 - early June and late October - November 21)

2. Curecanti National Recreation Area

100%

(2)

158 sites · Gunnison, Colorado

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

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Surrounded by wilderness and mountains, Crested Butte is often called “Colorado’s last great ski town,” renowned for both downhill and Nordic skiing. It also shines in summer, with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities that include hundreds of miles of epic mountain bike trails, hiking, fishing, rafting, and more. It’s home to a registered historic district and a lively festival scene. Numerous areas near Crested Butte and Mount Crested Butte offer camping, including private campgrounds and RV parks, developed forest service campgrounds, and primitive wilderness sites.

92% (1.5K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Crested Butte

1. Gondola Village at Holy Cross

93%

(160)

46mi from Crested Butte · 4 sites · Lodging

Gondola Village at Holy Cross is a little sanctuary in the mountains between Vail, Leadville, and Aspen. There is little nearby except for the next door Holy Cross Wilderness, with a lifetime worth of trails, lakes, and peaks to explore -- all only two hours from Denver. Gondola Village at Holy Cross has direct access that many dream of to Colorado's water wilderness, and some of the best backcountry skiing, hiking, scrambling, backpacking, and fly fishing in the Summit Vail Eagle Aspen area. Our modern alpine cabins are some of the cutest cabins you'll step foot in, complete with a mix of amenities to make your wilderness stay a bit more comfortable. Gondola Village at Holy Cross is at 11.5k feet above sea level (believed to be the highest altitude Hipcamp in the world). Gondola Village at Holy Cross has been featured on Discovery Channel’s Reclaimed, Airbnb's OMG! Fund, Arch Digest, and the site of many product shoots. The managers of this property have worked in yurt, ADU, and cabin construction and hospitality for many years and have brought together some of the best Scandinavian and modern design with a mining town aesthetic. The trip up can be challenging (only off-road, winch / locker equipped vehicles dare try the 759 Holy Cross City jeep road, others will need to hike in at least 2.5 miles), but the views and cabins are well worth the trek. Snow free season tends to be June 15 an October 30 annually, and outside of this guests should be prepared for up to 11 miles of over-snow travel with no cars allowed (a bit less depending on snow coverage in the shoulder seasons from May 21 - early June and late October - November 21)

2. Curecanti National Recreation Area

100%

(2)

158 sites · Gunnison, Colorado

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

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Crested Butte

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

F

Frasier

October 2025

2 nights at Gondola Village at Holy Cross

Relaxing cabin in the mountains! Make sure not to over pack so you can actually enjoy the hike up to the cabin!

Jessica

September 2025

2 nights at Gondola Village at Holy Cross

We loved this special little village. It's a very well-kept cabin and has everything you could need. The hike in was a bit tough, but well worth it and very straightforward! We were able to see lots of wildlife and enjoy time at the nearby lake. There's a marmot that runs around the abandoned town and plenty of pika in the surrounding area. Will remember this trip for a while.

Whitney

August 2025

1 night at Gondola Village at Holy Cross

What an absolute GEM of a spot! Went up for a little solo retreat, and the cabin had absolutely everything I needed for a cozy camping experience but with a roof over my head and all camping basics provided plus a little more! I hiked over to Cleveland Lake, enjoyed the cozy cabin at night, and woke up to a stunning sunrise. It’s a relatively accessible spot, meaning you don’t have to hike very many miles to get there, but you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere in only the best way. Would absolutely come again!!!

R

Ruth

June 2025

2 nights at Gondola Village at Holy Cross

Such a cozy and peaceful cabin! Perfect for a quiet getaway—remote enough to feel like an escape, but still super comfortable and well equipped with everything you need. The host was incredibly responsive and helpful, which made the whole experience seamless. Would absolutely come back!

Nearby public parks

Browse national and state parks near Crested Butte

100%

(2)

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Gunnison, Colorado

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best waterside camping near Crested Butte guide

Where to go

South

Take the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway south to Gunnison. Camp with your boat or lakeside at Blue Mesa Reservoir, part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Colorado’s largest body of water is known for excellent fishing and plenty of watersports. Continue south to remote Lake City, nestled in the San Juan Mountains. Enjoy ice climbing, go off-roading, or enjoy the waters of Lake San Cristobal. Stay in a private campground in town, dispersed camping on USFS land, free BLM riverside campsites, primitive sites in La Garita Wilderness Area, or in a network of backcountry yurts.

West

Take the West Elk Loop over Kebler Pass to Somerset for hiking, boating, and camping at Paonia State Park. Go fishing and sample wines near Hotchkiss. Just outside of Delta, enjoy boating and birdwatching at Sweitzer Lake State Park, look for dinosaur bones at Dry Mesa Quarry, and explore the red rock canyons and bluffs of Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. Montrose is a great base for exploring the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Camping options can be found at state parks, wilderness areas, and national parks, and include sites for tents and RVs.

East

Head east to Taylor Park for camping, fishing, and rafting. Further south, Sargents offers dirt biking, mountain biking, and off-roading. Explore state wildlife areas and ghost towns, then soak in the hot springs and history of Poncha Springs or the arts scene in Salida. Bag a 14er in the Sawatch Range. There are plenty of campground options, whether you prefer the forest riverside, lakeside, or the backcountry. Gunnison National Forest also offers more than 30 developed campgrounds, with tent sites, RV sites, and cabins.

When to go

Winter and summer are the most popular times to visit Crested Butte and nearby Mount Crested Butte. Several popular festivals are held over the summer. The area is known for abundant wildflowers over the summer, and golden aspens in the fall. Crested Butte Mountain Resort offers lift-assisted activities over the summer and winter. In the winter, the area is a top skiing and snowboarding destination. Several mountain passes close over the winter.

Know before you go

Crested Butte is situated at nearly 9,000 feet. Other recreation areas and campsites in the region are at even higher elevations. Be aware of potential altitude issues.
A free shuttle bus takes passengers around the town of Crested Butte and Mount Crested Butte year-round. A vehicle will be required to explore outside of the area.
Backcountry camping near Crested Butte is restricted to designated dispersed camping sites.
Be bear aware, especially when camping. Store food and other attractants in a bear-proof container away from your tent.
Permits are required for state and national wilderness areas.