The best camping in Grand Mesa National Forest, CO

Towering above the Colorado River’s Grand Valley on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains near Grand Junction, Colorado, the Grand Mesa National Forest sits on top of the world’s largest flat-topped mountain. Grand Mesa is filled with crystal clear alpine lakes, hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and ATV trails, and numerous campgrounds and dispersed camping areas. The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway traverses 63 miles of that national forest’s most stunning scenery and passes by several trailheads and lakes. In winter, Grand Mesa becomes a playground for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling adventures. There’s even downhill skiing at Powderhorn Mountain Resort.   

• Best for trailers and RVs: Cobbett Lake Campground 
• Best for fishing and lake access: Ward Lake Campground 
• Best for hiking and mountain biking: Crag Crest Campground

1. Online reservations can be made up to six months in advance for many of the Grand Mesa National Forest campgrounds. 
2. All sites at the Crag Crest, Ward Lake, and Divide Forks campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Many other Grand Mesa campgrounds have a handful of first-come, first-served sites available as well. 
3. Grand Mesa National Forest also has two old Forest Service Guard Stations available for rent: Moose Manor and Black Bear Cabin. Cabins are fairly rustic and reservations are available on a six-month rolling basis. 

With hundreds of high alpine lakes to see, summer is the best time to hike and camp on Grand Mesa. The snow is mostly melted by June and wildflowers generally peak in the middle of July. Some high-elevation Forest Service roads may stay snow-covered well into July and may close for the season in early November. Many of the Grand Mesa National Forest campgrounds are only open from early June through September.      

1. Stop at the Grand Mesa Visitor Center, located along the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, for trail maps and camping information. 
2. Grand Mesa National Forest is bear country. Make sure to store food and other attractants safely in camp. 
3. When hiking in summer, get an early start to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. 
4. Don’t forget your bug repellent. Grand Mesa’s abundant lakes and swampy areas attract quite a bit of mosquitoes especially in July. 
5. Bring extra layers. Grand Mesa can get quite chilly at night even in the middle of summer.