Camping at Black Canyon of the Gunnison: 3 Campgrounds, Rates, and Reservations

By David Sanchez · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Black Canyon Of The Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison has three NPS-managed campgrounds: South Rim Campground, North Rim Campground, and East Portal Campground, down in the canyon along the Gunnison River. All 116 sites cost $10 per night. Some South Rim sites are reservable through recreation.gov; the other two campgrounds, along with the remaining South Rim sites, are first-come, first-served. The table above summarizes the raw data for each campground. This guide explains how to choose.

Campgrounds in the park (3)

• Campground South Rim Campground recreation.gov · 88 sites Directions ↗
• Campground North Rim Campground recreation.gov · 13 sites Directions ↗
• Campground East Portal Campground recreation.gov · 15 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

Can you camp inside Black Canyon of the Gunnison?

Yes, and staying overnight changes the park experience completely. The canyon lights up at dawn and dusk with views day visitors never see. That's the real reason to pitch your tent here instead of heading back to Montrose for the night.

Camping outside designated sites is prohibited, except in the backcountry with a free permit. See below. In the campgrounds, food-storage rules are mandatory because black bears and mountain lions live in the park.

Campgrounds in the park, by rim

South Rim Campground

South Rim Campground is the park's largest campground, with 88 sites, and the only one open year-round. Potable water is available from mid-May through mid-September. Outside that window, you can still access the campground, but services are limited. It's also the only campground in the park with electrical hookups. Twenty-three sites have them, a rare convenience in a national park.

Some sites are reservable through recreation.gov; the rest are first-come, first-served. Flush toilets and bear-resistant food lockers round out the amenities. RVs up to 55 feet are allowed, making this the only workable option in the park for large vehicles. The rate is $10 per night for every site.

North Rim Campground

You have to earn the North Rim. From Crawford, Colorado, it's about 9.3 miles on a road that's partly unpaved. The road closes in November and typically reopens in late April or early May, depending on snow conditions. The campground itself closes from mid-November through late April.

North Rim Campground has 13 sites, all first-come, first-served. Toilets, potable water, and bear-resistant food lockers are available. RVs up to 22 feet are allowed. Beyond that, neither the road nor the sites can accommodate them. For starry skies and silence, this is the place. The rate is $10 per night.

East Portal Campground

East Portal is the park's most secluded campground. It's at the bottom of the canyon along the Gunnison River, reached by a steep road. The road is closed to RVs longer than 22 feet and to any vehicle towing a trailer.

The campground has 15 sites, including 10 tent-only sites. Everything is first-come, first-served. Toilets, water, and bear-resistant food lockers are available. The campground generally closes from early November through mid-April, depending on weather and road conditions. In return for the difficult access, you sleep at the bottom of one of Colorado's deepest canyons with the Gunnison River rumbling nearby. The rate is $10 per night.

RV vs. tent: which site should you choose?

For RVs longer than 22 feet, South Rim Campground is the only option in the park, with a maximum length of 55 feet. Check the specific loop on the recreation.gov listing before you reserve.

The North Rim and East Portal accept smaller vehicles up to 22 feet. East Portal is specifically not recommended for vehicles towing a trailer because of the steep access road.

If you need electrical hookups, the 23 powered sites at South Rim Campground have you covered. For full hookups, including water and dump access, plan on staying at a private campground around Montrose, about 12 miles southwest of the park. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison RV camping guide lists options and dump stations for large vehicles in the area.

Camping nearby: private campgrounds outside the park

When the park is full, which is common in July and August, most alternatives are around Montrose. The town has several private campgrounds and RV parks with full hookups. Gunnison, east of the park along U.S. 50, is another option for travelers approaching from the North Rim.

For lodging with a roof, see the Where to stay at Black Canyon of the Gunnison guide and the hotels and lodges guide.

Dispersed camping and backcountry camping

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one of the few national parks where you can descend into the canyon away from any marked trail. You can access the inner canyon with a free permit, which you must pick up in person at the South Rim Visitor Center or the North Rim ranger station.

The descent takes preparation. Slopes sometimes exceed 35 degrees, and the terrain includes loose rock and dense vegetation such as Gambel oak and poison ivy. Stiff-soled shoes, gloves, and off-trail navigation gear are essential. Never descend alone. At least two people should go together.

Backcountry camping is allowed only in the inner canyon, with a permit in hand. Spending a night at the bottom of the canyon with the Gunnison River rumbling a few yards away is an experience in itself. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison hiking guide covers the main descents, including Gunnison Route, Warner Route, and S.O.B. Draw, with ascent and descent times and difficulty ratings.

How and when to reserve a campsite at Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Where to reserve: Reservable South Rim Campground sites are available through recreation.gov. The reservation window opens six months before your arrival date, at 10 a.m. Denver time, or Mountain Time.

When to reserve: In July and August, sites can disappear within hours of the window opening. If you're targeting summer, set an alarm for the first available day. In May and June or in September, availability is a little easier.

First-come, first-served: If you don't have a reservation, arrive early in the morning, before 9 a.m., to claim a site vacated by overnight departures. Checkout is at 11 a.m. at all three campgrounds. Your odds are decent on weekdays. A July weekend is a much tighter proposition.

North Rim and East Portal: Reservations aren't available. Everything is first-come, first-served.

For seasonal context and the busiest periods, the When to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison guide gives temperatures and visitation by month.

Rates: how much does a night of camping cost at Black Canyon of the Gunnison?

All three campgrounds charge the same rate: $10 per night, whether you choose South Rim with its electrical hookups, the secluded North Rim, or East Portal beside the river. Rates don't vary between the rims or between sites with and without electricity.

The park entrance fee comes on top of that: $30 per private vehicle, or $15 per person entering on foot or by bicycle. The $80 America the Beautiful Pass, valid at all federal recreation sites, pays for itself after two park visits. Recreation.gov reservation fees are added to the site rate. Current entrance fees are listed in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison guide; the National parks fees and passes guide explains entrance fees and passes.

Camping safety and best practices

Food storage. The park is home to black bears and mountain lions. Store all food, sugary drinks, scented toiletries, and trash in your vehicle's trunk or in an approved bear-resistant container whenever you're not watching them. All three campgrounds have bear-resistant food lockers. Never keep food in your tent. No exceptions.

Nighttime temperatures. In summer, nighttime temperatures drop to 45 to 61°F even in July. At about 7,900 feet on the South Rim, temperatures fall quickly after sunset. Bring a sleeping bag rated for the conditions and an insulating layer, even in peak season.

Afternoon thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are common from July through early September, usually between 1 and 5 p.m. Along the canyon rim, exposed overlooks are especially vulnerable to lightning. Get back to camp before the sky darkens.

Wind. The canyon rims, especially on the North Rim, can be very exposed. Sturdy tent stakes and extra guy lines are well worth packing.

Which campground is right for you?

Family or RV: South Rim Campground is reservable and sits a short walk from the Visitor Center and the South Rim's most accessible overlooks. Its 23 electrical sites are unique in the park.

Solo travelers or couples seeking quiet: North Rim Campground on a weekday outside July and August. It has only 13 sites, all first-come, first-served.

Anglers or inner-canyon hikers: East Portal, provided your vehicle can handle the access road, with a length under 22 feet and no trailer, and you're comfortable on technical, unmarked terrain. It has 15 sites, including 10 tent-only sites.

Immersive backcountry camping: Pick up a backcountry permit at the Visitor Center, descend into the canyon with the right gear, and bring at least one partner.

Frequently asked questions