East Portal Campground

$20.00/night

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.).

Facilities

East Portal is a small campground of 15 sites (10 are walk-in tent-only; 5 are vehicle accessible), shaded by box elder trees. Seasonal potable water access and trash collection. Food storage in bear boxes is required. Each campsite has a fire pit, grill and picnic tables. The campground has vault toilets only.

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.

Camp site features

Across 15 camp sites:

Pets allowed: all 15 sites
Largest party: 8 people

Fees

All campsites at East Portal are first-come, first-served. This campground uses Scan & Pay to accept on-site payment through the Recreation.gov mobile app. Download the app ahead of your visit to arrive ready! 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.).

Directions

After entering Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, turn right on East Portal Rd and follow it for 5.5 miles (8.7 km). NOTE: East Portal Campground is closed in winter, when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road.

Reviews

16 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

1 stars

Charles M

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Campsite was great. Facilities were what I expected. I would stay there again. My only issue was the not knowing if a site was available before making the drive down. The drive is tough on the brakes and if a site had not been available (only 5) I could have been quite frustrated. If there was some way to know about availability. And as I’m writing this, maybe I should have checked this app for availability. The ranger said it was first come first serve and that’s how it should be. I didn’t think to check this app for availability. If that’s true; my bad. Have a great day.

Brenda H

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

It was a perfect setting. The scenery and the river was beautiful. We also spent a day exploring the Black Canyon. It was nice and quiet.

Susanne H

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

This is a lovely small campground at the bottom of the Black Canyon. There are drive-in and walk-in campsites. There’s no water and vault toilets. The site is popular with anglers.

Casen L

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Awesome and beautiful

Erik S

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Camp site was clean & level. Bathrooms right there along with fresh water was great. Proximity to the river was excellent. The road to get here is paved and smooth, but it is NO JOKE. Plenty of very tight turns and very steep. Probably one of the most windy steep (short) roads I've been on. When you arrive, find a site, claim it, then self-register. You do not need the help of staff (there are none in that area to help; the duplex there is housing and not for "Q&A" or help. Saw plenty of fish, did not see a single angler catch one.

robert b

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Great primitive sites. Fresh water was great too. Clean restrooms

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve