## Overview

The East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation
Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon of the Gunnison
National Park. The campground is located at the bottom of the canyon, along
the Gunnison River. It is a small campground of 15 sites (10 are tent-only),
shaded by box elder trees. East Portal is closed in winter, when the Bureau of
Reclamation closes the East Portal Road. Elevation: 6526 feet (1990 m).

**NOTE:** Black Canyon of the Gunnison charges a $30 per vehicle entrance fee
which you will pay upon arrival (or purchase in advance ). The park also
honors interagency passes for entry (e.g., senior, access, Golden Age, 4th
grade, etc.).

## Natural Features

East Portal offers plentiful shade and nearby access to the Gunnison River.
Spectacular views of Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Curecanti are abundant.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>The East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The campground is located at the bottom of the canyon, along the Gunnison River. It is a small campground of 15 sites (10 are tent-only), shaded by box elder trees. East Portal is closed in winter, when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road. Elevation: 6526 feet (1990 m).</p>
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> Black Canyon of the Gunnison charges a $30 per vehicle entrance fee which you will pay upon arrival (or <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/sitepass/74332" rel="nofollow">purchase in advance</a> ). The park also honors interagency passes for entry (e.g., senior, access, Golden Age, 4th grade, etc.). </p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>East Portal offers plentiful shade and nearby access to the Gunnison River. Spectacular views of Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Curecanti are abundant.</p>

All campsites at East Portal are first-come, first-served. You will pay upon
arrival using Scan & Pay through the Recreation.gov mobile app (download the
app before your visit), or by cash, check or credit card using the self pay
envelope on-site.

**NOTE:** Entrance to the campground is through Black Canyon of the Gunnison
National Park which charges a $30 per vehicle entrance fee. You will pay this
fee upon arrival (or purchase in advance). The park also honors interagency
passes for entry (e.g., senior, access, Golden Age, 4th grade, etc.).

Five out of the fifteen sites have vehicle access.

East Portal Campground  - Sites with vehicle access

Ten of the 15 sites are walk-in tent sites.

East Portal Campground - Walk-in sites

A view of East Portal Campground with wayside signs and restrooms

The East Portal area is a haven for anglers

A view of historic East Portal with a fisherman dwarfed by canyon walls

East Portal Campground

## Overview

Cimarron Campground is located 20 miles (32 km) east of Montrose, CO on U.S.
Highway 50 at the site of Cimarron, a historic narrow gauge railroad town .
The campground accomodates all types of camping--from tents to medium sized
RVs. All sites are first-come first-served, and the campground rarely fills.
Railroad exhibits are adjacent to the campground, and Crystal Reservoir near
Morrow Point Dam is approximately 1.5 miles away (2.4 km). Elevation: 6895
feet (2101 m)

## Nearby Attractions

The Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit is adjacent to the campground. Crystal
Reservoir near Morrow Point Dam is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away.

## Charges & Cancellations

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Cimarron Campground is located 20 miles (32 km) east of Montrose, CO on U.S. Highway 50 at the site of <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/learn/historyculture/cimcanyonexhibit.htm" rel="nofollow">Cimarron, a historic narrow gauge railroad town</a> . The campground accomodates all types of camping--from tents to medium sized RVs. All sites are first-come first-served, and the campground rarely fills. Railroad exhibits are adjacent to the campground, and Crystal Reservoir near Morrow Point Dam is approximately 1.5 miles away (2.4 km). Elevation: 6895 feet (2101 m)</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/learn/historyculture/cimcanyonexhibit.htm" rel="nofollow">Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit</a> is adjacent to the campground.  Crystal Reservoir near Morrow Point Dam is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) away.</p>
<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>

All campsites at Cimarron Campground are first-come, first-served. You will
pay upon arrival using Scan & Pay through the Recreation.gov mobile app
(download the app before your visit), or by cash, check or credit card using
the self pay envelope on-site.

Campsite with recreation trailer, picnic table, fire pit, mountain, trees, and sagebrush.

Trains, Campground. Fence, Trees, Mountains, Blue Sky

A typical campsite at Cimarron Campground

Cimarron Campground  campsite with recreation trailer, picnic table, fire pit, mountain, trees, and sagebrush covered peak in the background.

Denver & Rio Grande Western  train (Narrow Gauge), engine number 361, engine type 2-8-0, as seen in 1949

black and white image of a Denver & Rio Grande Western  train (Narrow Gauge), engine number 361,as seen in 1949

Cimarron Campground (CO)

## Overview

Lake Fork Campground is on the Blue Mesa Reservoir, near the reservoir's dam.
It is a part of the historic Curecanti Recreation Area and is an ideal place
to stay for days of boat recreation, hiking and taking in the views of the
Black Canyon.

## Recreation

Jet skiing, water skiing and canoeing are some of the many water activities
available on the reservoir.  
  
  
Bird Watching is also rewarding, with chances to see the black-billed magpie.  
  
  
Along the shrubland, visitors can spot Gunnison's Prairie Dogs popping out of
their holes.

## Facilities

Jet skiing, water skiing and canoeing are some of the many water activities
available on the reservoir.  
  
  
Bird Watching is also rewarding, with chances to see the black-billed magpie.  
  
  
Along the shrubland, visitors can spot Gunnison's Prairie Dogs popping out of
their holes.

## Natural Features

The steep canyon walls in this part of the reservoir were carved out by the
Gunnison River, which once flowed with powerful intensity fueled by the
snowmelt of nearby mountains.  
  
  
Today, the Gunnison river is dammed in three places, creating three large and
beautiful reservoirs to be enjoyed by visitors.  
  
  
The land is characterized by semi-arid shrubland with vast expanses of
sagebrush. The natural features and ecosystems of Curecanti vary greatly, with
Riparian habitats, epic canyons and lush patches of Ponderosa pine, Douglas
fir and aspen trees.

## Nearby Attractions

The recreation area is just south of Gunnison National Forest and east of the
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There's no shortage of options for
Scenic Drives and Hiking.  
  
  
Try hiking the Curecanti Creek Trail or Hermit's Rest Trail off HWY 92..

## Charges & Cancellations

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Lake Fork Campground is on the Blue Mesa Reservoir, near the reservoir's dam. It is a part of the historic Curecanti Recreation Area and is an ideal place to stay for days of boat recreation, hiking and taking in the views of the Black Canyon.</p>
<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>Jet skiing, water skiing and canoeing are some of the many water activities available on the reservoir.<br><br><br><a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/birdwatching.htm" rel="nofollow">Bird Watching</a>  is also rewarding, with chances to see the black-billed magpie. <br><br><br>Along the shrubland, visitors can spot <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/learn/nature/prairiedogs.htm" rel="nofollow">Gunnison's Prairie Dogs</a>  popping out of their holes.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>Jet skiing, water skiing and canoeing are some of the many water activities available on the reservoir.<br><br><br><a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/birdwatching.htm" rel="nofollow">Bird Watching</a>  is also rewarding, with chances to see the black-billed magpie. <br><br><br>Along the shrubland, visitors can spot <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/learn/nature/prairiedogs.htm" rel="nofollow">Gunnison's Prairie Dogs</a>  popping out of their holes.</p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>The steep canyon walls in this part of the reservoir were carved out by the Gunnison River, which once flowed with powerful intensity fueled by the snowmelt of nearby mountains. <br><br><br>Today, the Gunnison river is dammed in three places, creating three large and beautiful reservoirs to be enjoyed by visitors. <br><br><br>The land is characterized by semi-arid shrubland with vast expanses of sagebrush. The natural features and ecosystems of Curecanti vary greatly, with Riparian habitats, epic canyons and lush patches of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and aspen trees.</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
<p>The recreation area is just south of Gunnison National Forest and east of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There's no shortage of options for <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/scenicdrives.htm" rel="nofollow">Scenic Drives</a>  and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/hiking.htm" rel="nofollow">Hiking.</a> <br><br><br>Try hiking the Curecanti Creek Trail or Hermit's Rest Trail off HWY 92..</p>
<h2>Charges & Cancellations</h2>

Sunrise Over Curecanti National Recreation Area

U.S. Highway 50 crosses Blue Mesa Reservoir on Middle Bridge

U.S. Highway 50 crosses Blue Mesa Reservoir on Middle Bridge, with snow capped hills in the background.

Wildlife in Curecanti National Recreation Area

Curecanti National Recreation Area

Blue Mesa Reservoir, Curecanti National Recreation Area

A landscape shot of Blue Mesa Reservoir with peaks in the background

Clouds above peaks and Blue Mesa Reservoir

Lake Fork Campground

## Overview

Ponderosa Campground is located at the northwest end of the Soap Creek Arm of
Blue Mesa Reservoir at 7880 feet (2402 m). The campground offers outstanding
views and solitude.

**Note:** During dry conditions, the first 7 miles (11 km) of Soap Creek Road
are passable to trailers and RVs. Rain can make the Soap Creek Road
impassable.

<h2>Overview</h2>
<p>Ponderosa Campground is located at the northwest end of the Soap Creek Arm of Blue Mesa Reservoir at 7880 feet (2402 m). The campground offers outstanding views and solitude. </p>
<p><strong>Note: </strong>During dry conditions, the first 7 miles (11 km) of Soap Creek Road are passable to trailers and RVs. Rain can make the Soap Creek Road impassable.</p>

All campsites at Ponderosa are first-come, first-served. You will pay upon
arrival using the Recreation.gov mobile app (download the app before your
visit), or by cash, check or credit card using the self-pay envelope on-site.

The Upper Loop of Ponderosa.

Ponderosa Campground

Two deer looking toward the photographer with snowy background

An amazing view from Ponderosa Campground

An amazing view from Ponderosa Campground showing a picnic table and firepit in the foreground

Ponderosa Campground (CO)

Three reservoirs and surrounding lands make up this recreation area in western
Colorado. It is a landscape of tradeoffs; natural and human made features
exist together. Geologic wonders are abundant from the sagebrush shrublands to
forests. Visitors can experience the park year-round on both land and water.

Three reservoirs and surrounding lands make up this recreation area in western Colorado. It is a landscape of tradeoffs; natural and human made features exist together. Geologic wonders are abundant from the sagebrush shrublands to forests. Visitors can experience the park year-round on both land and water.

East Portal Campground

Overview

Natural Features

Directions

Reviews

Camp Sites

Nearby Campgrounds

Cimarron Campground (CO)

Lake Fork Campground

Ponderosa Campground (CO)