Black Canyon of the Gunnison camping?

[time1]

Does anyone have any info on camping in or around the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in Colorado? I am headed west sthe last week in June. I have a 28 foot 5er and was wondering if I will be able to get to and fit in the camp sites or if I should look for something outside the park? Also, is there a prefered rout to access the park? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[BarryG]

Time1:

Can't remember for sure about in the park there is a campground just not sure if it is big enough for your trailer would certainly be worth a call to the park. Just east of the park is a road that goes south to Silver Jack Resevoir and Owl Creek Pass. There is a nice campground at Silver Jack Resevoir. At least it was last time I was there a few years ago (no hookups). I think there is KOA campground around there somewhere. Montrose is just down the road to the west also. As far as route if you are coming from the east I would take I-70 to US24 / exit to Leadville and go down to US 50 and then go west. You will go down along Blue Mesa Resevoir and Gunnison. That way would be the most scenic or you could take I-70 to Grand Junction and catch US 50 there and go south to Montrose and then east to Black Canyon. I think Black Canyon is only 20 or so miles east of Montrose. There are a couple other back ways you could get there as well. If you want to continue southwest from the canyon you could take 50 to Montrose and then take hwy 550 over Red Mountain pass down to Silverton and Durango and catch the train (awesome narrow gauge ride through the canyon (if so make reservations in advance)or go to Mesa Verde National Park. Hwy 550 is a good road but you will test your cooling system and brakes and there are a couple places where the pucker factor will increase but it is a great road with some awesome scenerey and you will have no problem. It is probably one of the prettiest stretches of road in the state if not the country. Give the park a call and break out the map. One last thing there are two entrances to the park one is on the east side of the canyon and the main entrance is on the west side of the canyon. The west side is the better side with the visitor center and the most pullouts or veiwpoints and if you have the time and energy take your fishing rod and hike into the bottom for some blue ribbon stream fishing just make sure and check out the fishing regs since it is blue ribbon it has a little bit different regs. It is one beautiful canyon you will enjoy it have a good time.

 

[Bill Stockard]

time 1,



While in the Black canyon area, leave your trailer at a park and drive up Hwy 50 towards Gunnison and take CO Hwy 92(Scenic Byway) towards Hotchkiss. You'll get some awesome views of the upper Black Canyon you won't see from the other side. It's a beautiful drive up through the Gunnison National Forest. You can go to Hotchkiss, Delta, and end up back in Montrose.



If you take your trailer, you will have some steep grades and sharp turns, negotiable with your trailer, but will work your truck. I pulled a 29' 5th wheel over the road--no problems. There is a very nice Colorado State Park at Crawford.



Another very scenic drive is CO Hwy 65 from Delta up to Grand Mesa. Spectacular views from the top of Grand Mesa.



Enjoy you trip to Colorado, my "adopted home state".



Bill

 

[Jetson]

They do have campgrounds in the park, but I don't think they have hookups. Your trailer will fit in many of the sites.

 

[klenger]

One of the members manages a camp ground around Gunnison. I think it's the Blue Mesa Ranch. Hopefully, he'll login to this post and offer some current info.



Edit: Look around on irv2.com for the guy who runs Blue Mesa Ranch. He has a Ford, so he's not on this site.