Wake up in the cool, pine scented air tinged with the smoky remnants of your campfire. There's nothing like unplugging and escaping the noise and chaos of modern life. With options ranging from off-the-grid camping to modern sites with convenient amenities, there is something for everyone.
Summer 2024 Update: All campsites in and around Crested Butte are now Designated Sites or Established Campgrounds ONLY. See info and map below for more details.Â
Designated Camping
Camp in sites that have a post with a campsite number, metal fire ring, and parking spot. For these areas, you can camp only at signed sites first come, first served with a 14 day maximum. Fires are only permitted in the established metal fire rings and limited to two vehicles per site. There is no site saving; it is illegal to leave property unattended for more than 24 hours. Camping outside designated camping sites is prohibited, as are fires outside of official USFS fire rings in the designated restricted areas (see map below) from June 14, 2022 until rescinded or until June 30, 2027, which ever occurs first.
What If I can’t find an empty site?Â
- Travel mid-weekÂ
- For weekenders, try to arrive on Thursday
- Consider camping further from Crested Butte where dispersed camping is allowed
- Reserve a site at an established campground ahead of time
- Book a hotel room
- Bottom line, have a back up plan! There is no guarantee you will find an open site in the designated camping areas nearest to Crested Butte
Established Campgrounds
Looking for a campground with amenities? These pay-for sites offer fire rings, picnic tables, trashcans, and bathrooms. Campgrounds can fill up fast during the summer, so make sure to reserve campsites before arriving.
Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov.
Dispersed Camping
Unlike established campgrounds, camping in undeveloped areas require more from campers to help keep sites in the condition in which they were found. Individuals should camp where others have camped before or on durable surfaces and should be stationed 100 feet from all water sources. Campsites can be occupied for no more than 14 days and is also limited to a total of 28 days in a 60 day period. Click here for more info. As of 2024, there are no dispersed campsites near Crested Butte. The closest ones are on the far side of Kebler Pass or down south accessible via Almont in the Spring Creek area.
Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Try to use a lightweight stove for cooking. Where fires are permitted:
- Use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires
- Try to keep fires small
- Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, and put out campfires completely with water
If possible, try to use an established toilet before going into the woods. There are more than a dozen public restrooms and portable toilets at trailheads and other outdoor areas in Crested Butte. Know where they are before you head out.
When you don't have access to outdoor restrooms, deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, campsites and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. You can pick up free 'poop kits' from the Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte Visitor Centers, which include a trowel, TP, instructions, and more.
Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter to prevent animals from invading the area. For more information of proper outdoor waste guidelines, brush up on Leave No Trace.
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach animals and never feed them. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely in bear canisters or by setting up a bear bag.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Camping Map
Below is an interactive map for camping in the upper and lower Gunnison Valley. Upper valley includes Crested Butte and nearby areas, while Lower consists of Gunnison and the Taylor Reservoir area.
REDÂ = established campgroundsÂ
BLUEÂ = dispersed camping areas
YELLOWÂ = designated camping areas
YELLOW = Large RV or trailer access
YELLOW = 4x4 access only
 In order to access our custom maps on MOBILE, please sign into a Google account in the Google Maps app.
Upper Valley Camping
| Key | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H= Host | W = Water | T = Trash | R = Restroom/Toilet | A = Handicap Accessible |
| Site | Area | Established or Dispersed | Features | Fee per night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gothic Campground | East River (Gothic) Valley | Established - 4 Sites - Designated sites ONLY | R | $18.00 |
| Lost Lake Campground | Kebler Pass | Established - 18 Sites | H, W, T, R, | $18.00 |
| Lake Irwin Campground | Kebler Pass | Established - 32 Sites | H, W, T, R, A | $18.00 |
| Oh Be Joyful Campground | Slate River Drainage | Established | R | |
| Kebler Pass Road (12) | Kebler Pass West | Dispersed | 30 miles on County Road 12 | |
| Lake Irwin Road | Kebler Pass | Designated - 36 | Before and after established campground | |
| Slate River Road (734) | Slate River Drainage | Designated - 43 Sites | Use signed/numbered sites only throughout the valley and Poverty Gulch. | |
| Gothic Road (317) | East River Drainage | All roadside vehicle and tent camping allowed ONLY in designated sites for nightly fee. | Past the town of Gothic | $18.00 |
| Washington Gulch Road | Washington Gulch | Designated - 48 Sites | 5 miles up the road after private property. Use signed/numbered sites only. | |
| Brush Creek Road | Brush Creek | Designated - 41 Sites | 6 miles up road from HWY 135 | |
| Cement Creek Road | Cement Creek | Designated - 28 Sites | Starting 2 miles up road from HWY 135 | |
| Crested Butte RV Resort | Riverland | Established - 21 Sites | H, W, T, R, A 2 miles south of CB | $50.00 - $75.00 |
Lower Valley Camping
| Site | Area | Established or Dispersed | Features | Fee per night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gunnison Mountain Park Tent Camp | Taylor Canyon | Established - 6 Sites | H, T, R | $12.00 |
| Granite Tent Camp | Taylor Canyon | Established - 6 Sites | H, T, R | $12.00 |
| One Mile Campground | Taylor Canyon | Established - 23 Sites | H, W, T, R, A | $18.00 |
| North Bank Campground | Taylor Canyon | Established - 17 Sites | H, W, T, R | $14.00 |
| Rosy Lane Campground | Taylor Canyon | Established - 22 Sites | H, W, T, R, A | $18.00 |
| Lodgepole Campground | Taylor Canyon | Established - 16 Sites | H, W, M, R | $16.00 |
| Cold Springs Campground | Taylor Canyon | Established - 37 Sites | H, W, T, R | $18.00 |
| Spring Creek Campground | Spring Creek | Established - 12 Sites | H, T, R | $14.00 |
| Mosca Campground | Spring Creek | Established - 16 Sites | H, T, R | $14.00 |
| Spring Creek Road | Spring Creek | Dispersed | Just before the second bridge on the right | |
| Hartman Rocks | Gunnison | Designated | Just southwest of Gunnison | |
| Cement Creek Road | Cement Creek | Designated - 22 Sites | Just past the town of CB South | |
| Stevens Creek Campground | Blue Mesa | Established - 17 Sites | H, W, T, R, A | $8.00 - $16.00 |
| Elk Creek Campground | Blue Mesa | Established - 75 Sites | H, W, T, R, A Electric hookup and RV hookup available | $8.00 - $16.00 |
Advice for Trailers and RVs
We recommend that all vehicles greater than 35-40 ft. Do not attempt to drive beyond the following locations within each drainage due to lack of turn around space, rough roads, and/or lack of sites with adequate parking for large vehicles.
- Slate River – Musicians Camp: Approx 6 miles from Gothic Road
- Washington Gulch – Rendezvous Meadow: Approx 4.5 miles from Gothic Road
- Kebler Pass – Kebler Pass can accommodate RVs and Trailers at all points, but avoid Splain’s Gulch and beyond the Lake Irwin established campground.
- Brush Creek – Tent City: Approx 6 miles from Hwy 135. Avoid Strand Hill Road and West Brush Creek Road, as they are very rough and require high-clearance 4×4 vehicles
- Cement Creek – Cement Creek Site #8: Approx 6 miles from Hwy 135
- Gothic Road – Gothic site #13: Approx 3.5 miles past the town of Gothic
If you’re looking to park it and stay: Check out Crested Butte RV Resort, 2 miles south of town. It’s far enough away, it’s quiet and close enough to bike to town. They’re the only big rig friendly spot in upper Gunnison Valley.
