Sand Gulch Campground

$20.00–$40.00/night

Show on map 719-269-8500 blm_co_rg_visitorinfo@blm.gov

Bureau of Land Management, 3028 East Main St
Canon City, CO 81212

Overview

With easy walking access to sport rock climbing routes in the popular Shelf Road Recreation Area, Sand Gulch Campground is a 31-site camping facility, open year-round. The campground is located 14 miles north of Cañon City at an approximate elevation of 6,400 feet and features spectacular views of the surrounding limestone cliffs.

Recreation

Sand Gulch Campground offers sport climbers easy walk-in access to tall monolithic cliffs. Climbers can access Contest and Freeform Walls with bolted routes via the Sand Gulch trails. A variety of other recreation opportunities easily accessed from the campground include hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding as well as 4wd routes. In addition to campsites, Sand Gulch Campground offers a small day-use parking area for recreationalists.

Facilities

Sand Gulch campground has 29 individual sites, two group sites, and two vault toilets. Individual sites are limited to 2 vehicles and 8 people. The group site is limited to 4 vehicles and 20 people. Each campsite includes a parking space, a metal fire ring and picnic table. Many sites are designed for tent or van camping. Large camp trailers are accommodated best in pull- through campsites 5, 7, 11 (see map). Drinking water, electric hook-ups and trash service are not available at Sand Gulch Campground. Please bring your own water and firewood. Plan to take your trash with you when you leave.

Natural Features

Sand Gulch Campground and the surrounding area is well known amongst rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts for the long bands of limestone cliffs dominating the landscape. Stunning rock features paired with the piñon pine and juniper vegetation, enhance the dramatic vistas and a picturesque camping environment.

Nearby Attractions

The region around Shelf Road offers numerous attractions and recreation opportunities. Popular activities include visiting the Royal Gorge via the Royal Gorge Bridge, the Royal Gorge Train, hiking trails or a rafting trip with one of a number of river outfitters. The Arkansas River offers whitewater rafting as well as outstanding angling. There are numerous trails for all activities in the region as well as agricultural and heritage tours along the Gold Belt National Scenic Byway. The local communities offer a range of shopping and dining experiences.

Visit the Royal Gorge Region web page for more information about local attractions:

Explore - Royal Gorge Region: royalgorgeregion.com

Camp site features

Across 31 camp sites:

Fire pit: 14 of 31 sites
Pets allowed: all 31 sites
ADA accessible: 1 of 31 sites
Group sites: 2 of 31 sites
Longest RV: 99 ft
Largest party: 20 people

Fees

Individual Sites: $20 per night Group sites: $40 per night There is an $8 non-refundable reservation fee for each reservation.

Directions

From Highway 50 in Cañon City, Take Dozier Avenue north following it as it turns west. At the four-way stop sign turn right on Field Avenue and follow it north until it turns into CR 9. In approximately 10 miles, take a left turn at the sign for Sand Gulch Campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 1 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

67 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Vicki L

Loop:Sand Gulch

Site:

Reviewed 18 days ago

This is a wonderful campground close to Canyon City with a remote feel. It is surrounded by beautiful rocks. This is a rock climbers destination. Clean outhouses and a very nice campground host.

Sean C

Loop:Sand Gulch

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

The views of this campsite were absolutely spectacular! Campsite is well managed and clean. Campos was great as well! Plenty of recreation and outdoor space.

David C

Loop:Sand Gulch

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

We stayed at Sand Gulch for two nights in September. The sites are nearby but most have trees between for more privacy. There are no hookups available and there was no cell service for Verizon. The campground was well taken care of including clean vault toilets. There are trails to hike accessible from the campground that led to rock climbing areas. We enjoyed our stay and would stay there again.

Miles N

Loop:Sand Gulch

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Good spot, great view. I’d recommend a site on the outside of the ring, but all spots were good. For a large tent, this tent spot was a little slanted but there are other tent spots at this site that are flatter for smaller tents. The sunsets and views are great.

Sally W

Loop:Sand Gulch

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Beautiful campground.

Caitlin C

Loop:Sand Gulch

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

We love this campground! The sites are spacious, beautiful and there’s a nice amount of privacy with the junipers. We fit two tents on the tent pad and could easily drive stakes in. The concrete picnic table at the site is big and sturdy. The bathrooms are clean and full of toilet paper. It was safe, clean and well maintained. It was pretty buggy in July, but that was expected and it was mostly just gnats that didn’t bite. Really gorgeous place to stay. Good sunsets, good stars and very quiet.

Availability

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

Reserve