The best camping near Gunnison National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Gunnison National Forest adventure.

97% (33 reviews)
97% (33 reviews)

Venture into the wild mountain wilderness of western Colorado.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Gunnison National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Gunnison National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Gunnison National Forest

96%
(167)

Zenzen Gardens

33 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Paonia, CO
Zenzen Gardens is now the official tasting room for Alfred Eames Cellars, a local winery located 3 miles south of Paonia. Come enjoy some local wines in the garden with a beautiful mountain view. Our tasting room is open May to October from 12 PM - 6 PM. Every Thursday evening, from June to October, we host Tapas events from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM, featuring our local guest chef. Please note that there will be no Tapas events in August due to our Pickin' in the Park festivities! 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.
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$35
 / night
100%
(123)

Marble Mountain Yurt

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Marble, CO
NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS FOR THE 2024 SEASON (May-October)! A little about our reservation process. We accept two group reservations per week: 1) A discounted mid-week booking (Checking-in Tuesday or Wednesday) for 1-2 nights minimum (depending on the season) 2) A weekend booking starting Thursday, Friday, or Saturday weekly with a 2-3 night minimum. Enjoy hut-style glamping at its finest in our modern mountain yurt. Bask in the sun and take in the stunning panoramic mountain views on our one-acre property above the quirky town of Marble, CO. With immediate access to public lands and some of the best backcountry skiing, hiking, biking, lakes, rivers, and BBQ in Colorado, there is truly something for everyone to love! The heated bathhouse features a toilet and foot pump sink. Purified drinking water is available from May - September. You must bring your own water from October - April. The kitchen features an oven/range and basic cooking and serving supplies. There is no refrigerator, so please bring your own cooler and ice. Campfires are allowed, but it is your responsibility to determine if there is a fire ban in effect. Firewood may be available or dead wood can be collected on the property. There is a picnic table nestled in the scrub oaks. We only rent one side and the entire property is private to you! We do have neighbors, but the property is pretty well tucked away. You may see the occasional vehicle or hiker on the road or hear someone doing some yard work, but it is generally very quiet and secluded at the yurt. Our neighbors have chosen to live in Marble for its privacy and tranquillity. Please show them respect by keeping the noise down and leaving them be. If you have questions or need help, call us from the yurt landline. Winter camping experience/equipment and a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle with severe snow-rated tires and chains may be required to access the yurt Oct-April. During large snow events, driving to the yurt may be impossible in any vehicle. Skiing to the yurt may be an option Dec - Feb. Gear sleds are available at the yurt for your use.
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$220
 / night
97%
(459)

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
100%
(12)

Tongue Creek Ranch

3 sites · Lodging70 acres · Austin, CO
Tongue Creek Ranch is beautifully situated at the base of the Adobe Buttes on the southern side of the Grand Mesa in Austin, Colorado. The 70-acre ranch has over 40 acres in hay and alfalfa with seasonal cattle grazing in the fall and winter months. Whether you come to stay at one of the rental properties, get married or host a special event, we welcome you to enjoy the beautiful setting of Tongue Creek Ranch and the incredible sites of the Western Slope! David and Barb Cocetti purchased the ranch in June 2019 to embark on a new life where they could cultivate the land and be more self-sustaining. By following Biblical guidelines for work and agriculture, this land has come to life! It is proving to be an oasis where people find peace while enjoying the serenity of the surroundings. The clamping Cabin sits behind the horse arena and in front of Tongue Creek. It's the cutest little cabin and we mean little, more like an expertly finished big shed. It is 10x14 with a 3x14 covered porch but finished inside like a 5 star hotel. AC, TV, Wifi, fireplace, comfortable queen size bed. Beetle kill tongue and groove ceiling, cultured barn wood wanes coating. It's super nice. The ranch itself may be the reason for the "glamp" booking. The yard is manicured and the 25 house, goats and chickens are fun to see. The big plus is we are only 20 minutes away from the Grand Mesa outdoorsman mecca. This is probably the cheapest base camp to the Mesa. The ranch is a great base camp to wineries, Moab, Telluride, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, fishing, boating, hiking, trails and hundreds of open BLM land for Razor riding. Check us out.
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$28.80
 / night
100%
(1)

Tomichi Creek Trading Post

28 sites · Lodging10 acres · Garfield, CO
Make the Most of Your Next Outdoor Adventure Whether you're looking for an action-packed week of outdoor adventures, or a relaxing weekend away where you can breathe clear mountain air and observe beautiful wildlife, Tomichi Creek Trading Post is the place you want to be. ​ We are located in one of the most scenic areas of Colorado and the year-round list of things to do is limitless. If you're new to the area, we'll be happy to answer your questions and offer our recommendations for activities during your stay. ​ Our property is ride-in, ride-out to hundreds of miles of off-road trails, so you can unload at your site, and get out into the wild right away. And when you're at your site, you'll have just about everything you need close at hand. Gas and fuel, a well stocked store with gifts and souvenirs, a restaurant and bar, and even an EV charging station. We'll take great care of you!
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$75
 / night
94%
(18)

Meadows of San Juan RV Resort

112 sites · RVs30 acres · Montrose, 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".
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$50
 / night

The best camping near Gunnison National Forest guide

Overview

About

Located in western Colorado, the co-managed Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests come together to create a three-million acre natural playground with 56 designated campgrounds, 3,000 miles of trails, and endless peaks and pines. Enjoy views of the picturesque Collegiate Peaks, fish for trout and salmon in pristine lakes, or hit the waters for thrilling whitewater adventures or serene paddling. Camping opportunities are extensive and vary greatly, with options ranging from off-grid dispersed camping to campgrounds with basic amenities, suitable for RVs. No matter where you stay, scenic views are practically guaranteed in this grand national forest.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for RV camping: One Mile Campground has some electric hookups, large sites, accessible roads, and river access, making it a good choice for RVs.
  • Best for lake lovers: Some sites at Lake Irwin Campground have lake views, but the ones without are also notable for stunning views of ponds, peaks, and meadows.
  • Best for off-grid camping: The Soap Creek Dispersed Camping area earns hike marks for its views of granite outcroppings and open camping amid a wildflower-filled meadow.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. Not all campgrounds offer reservable sites. Check Recreation.gov to see which campgrounds offer  reservations. 
  2. For reservable sites, reservations may be made online at Recreation.gov or by phone at 1-877-444-6777.
  3. Many sites and campgrounds are first-come, first-served. 
  4. Reservations open on a six-month rolling basis and may be necessary for weekends and holidays, especially during the summer season.
  5. Many campgrounds close for the off season, which runs from October through mid-May.

When to go

Is this the wildflower capital of Colorado? Some say so, and this annual cascade of color begins in late spring. Summer is a popular time to camp and hike in the Gunnison National Forest, as temperatures are significantly cooler in high elevations and in the shaded forests.  Fall is also popular, especially when the aspens turn gold in September and October. Higher elevation areas may have freezing temperatures and precip even in fall, so prepare accordingly. Camping is limited in winter due to heavy snows, which may persist through early spring.

Know before you go

  • Amenities vary greatly across campgrounds. You may find electric hookups, vault toilets, potable water, designated camping pads, and more. Or, you may have no onsite amenities. Check the U.S. Forest Service and Recreation.gov websites for full details. 
  • This area is bear country. Plan ahead to ensure proper storage of food and scented items.
  • Cell signals may be limited, especially in remote or mountainous areas.
  • Campgrounds and camping areas vary greatly in elevation. Check online to find the elevation and prepare for varying conditions.
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