Pickle Gulch
Pickle Gulch is a group picnic and camping facility located just off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway/Highway 119. Visitors enjoy the area for its scenic and off-road driving, and nearby hiking and fishing opportunities.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · tent only in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group walk to | 6 |
| group picnic area | 1 |
Site guide
7 sites in 7 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001A Day Use | Day Use Only Picnic Site | Group Picnic Area | Gravel | 150 / 35 | Yes |
| 001 | Grp 1 | Group Walk To | Gravel | 30 / 6 | |
| 002 | Grp 2 | Group Walk To | Gravel | 30 / 6 | |
| 003 | Grp 3 | Group Walk To | Gravel | 30 / 6 | |
| 004 | Grp 4 | Group Walk To | Gravel | 30 / 6 | |
| 005 | Grp 5 | Group Walk To | Gravel | 30 / 6 | |
| 006 | Grp 6 | Group Walk To | Gravel | 15 / 4 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 8:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Pickle Gulch is an area that offers day-use picnic sites and six campsites to accommodate large groups. The picnic site can accommodate up to 150 people and is equipped with picnic tables and campfire circles. A parking area, vault toilets and a playground are provided. The group campsites are all walk-to sites for tent camping only. Each campsite is equipped with picnic tables, a campfire circle and tent pads. Vault toilets and drinking water spigots are shared between sites. A separate day-use area contains two volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, picnic tables and a vault toilet. Firewood may be gathered from the surrounding forest, if available, or purchased from the host.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | 5/19 to 10/9 |
| Forest | Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG |
| Booking | Make reservations at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
| Fees | Check detailed information on www.recreation.gov or see general fees on the campground table. |
| Rules | Tents only. No campers or trailers past parking area. Dogs must be on leash. |
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG recreation page ↗
Weather by month
Getting there
From Interstate 25 in Denver, travel west on 6th Avenue to State Highway 6 and continue through Clear Creek Canyon. Turn on State Highway 119 toward Black Hawk and Central City. Follow the highway 4 miles north of Black Hawk, to the campground.
| Nearest town | Morrison, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.8432° N, 105.5226° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Customers and contact center agents cannot modify reservations on or after the check-in date.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHarris Park Broadcast Rx
22 mi from the campground · 390 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump Station ↗ | 4.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Clear Creek Outdoors ↗ | 7 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 19.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The historic mining town of Central City is nearby. The town hosts various popular events, including Lou Bunch Day and the Central City Opera and Jazz festivals. Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a short drive from the campground. This scenic park offers more than 35 miles of hiking trails. Mountain biking and horseback riding are also allowed on some trails. Every stream and pond within the park is open to fishing.
- 10.8 mi
- 11.8 miRainbow Lakes Trailhead Day Pass ↗Trailhead
- 12.6 mi
- 13.2 miSecond Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Public land it sits in
James Peak Wilderness begins about 5.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.8 miJames Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 17,109 acres
- 12 miIndian Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · FS/NPS · 77,932 acres
- 13.2 miMount Evans Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 73,416 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The site offers many scenic views of the surrounding area. It is set among a fairly level forest of lodgepole pine trees, dotted with aspens. Due to the mountain pine beetle infestation and removal of hazardous trees, there may be little to no shade at these sites.
Recreation
Many hiking and biking trails are found nearby. Scenic driving is available along Highways 119 and 72, which is also known as the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Numerous creeks, rivers and lakes in the area provide fishing opportunities. Off-road enthusiasts will find many jeep roads in the vicinity.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Pickle Gulch?
Sites at Pickle Gulch are reservable on Recreation.gov. Make reservations at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Pickle Gulch?
Check detailed information on www.recreation.gov or see general fees on the campground table.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Pickle Gulch?
Check-in 8:00 AM, checkout 8:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Pickle Gulch open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season 5/19 to 10/9.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Pickle Gulch have?
7 sites, including 6 group walk to and 1 group picnic area.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Pickle Gulch?
Pickle Gulch is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Pickle Gulch?
Yes, pets are allowed at Pickle Gulch. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Pickle Gulch?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Tents only.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Pickle Gulch?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Pickle Gulch?
Many hiking and biking trails are found nearby. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Pickle Gulch?
Morrison, Colorado. The historic mining town of Central City is nearby.
Source: Getting there
What if Pickle Gulch is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cold Springs (1.5 mi), Columbine Campground (2.5 mi), and Kelly Dahl (6.3 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby