Lake Irwin
Lake Irwin Campground is situated on the western banks of its picturesque namesake lake, approximately 9 miles from Crested Butte, Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its abundant trail opportunities, fishing and beautiful scenery.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 10 |
| Tent-only | 9 |
| RV, no hookups | 6 |
| Host/management | 20 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 99 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
25 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | |||
| 002 | RV | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | RV | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 | |
| 004 | RV | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | ||
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | |
| 007 | RV | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 6 / 1 | |
| 008 | Tent only | Pull-through | Gravel | 6 / 1 | |||
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | ||
| 010 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | 6 / 1 | |||
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 6 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Accessibility | Sites 002, 012, 030, XXX are listed accessible |
The campground offers several single-family campsites, some of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Currently no water is provided, please bring your own.
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 | June 13 to Oct. 3 |
| Forest | Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore |
| Fees | $24 per night per camping unit; $10 per firewood bundle. |
| Rules | ATV's use not authorized in campground. |
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore recreation page ↗
Weather by month
Getting there
From Gunnison, take Colorado Highway 135 north 28 miles to Crested Butte. Turn left on Gunnison County Road 12. Proceed 7 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 826 and follow signs to the campground.
| Coordinates | 38.8811° N, 107.1069° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireWillow
43 mi from the campground · 7,359 acres · 92% contained
- PrescribedHigh Mesa Piles Rx
49 mi from the campground · 324 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 6.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 23.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The charming town of Crested Butte is a short drive from the campground. The former coal mining town offers a variety of outdoor activities, dining and shopping options and annual festivals, like the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival.
- 4.6 miKebler Pass Winter Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.1 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miIrwin Lake Spur0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miIrwin Lodge Snowmobile0.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.5 miDyke Mountain Bike ↗5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miRidge 701.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.5 miIrwin Lake3 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.7 miScarp2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests.
- inGrand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,153,199 acres
- 2.4 miRaggeds Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 64,307 acres
- 4.5 miWest Elk Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 176,431 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
On the National Register nearby
- Town of Crested Butte (Boundary Increase and Boundary Decrease)Historic district · Crested Butte · 6.5 mi
- Crested Butte Denver and Rio Grande Railroad DepotBuilding · Crested Butte · 6.9 mi
- Crystal MillBuilding · Crystal · 12.3 mi
Natural features
The campground is set high in the Colorado Rockies at an elevation of 10,200 feet. Summer days are cool and afternoon showers are common. Nights can be chilly. Lake Irwin borders the campground on the east, and the Ruby Mountain Range lies to the west. Vivid wildflowers fill the landscape during July and August. Most campsites are shaded by mature Englemann spruce and subalpine fir trees. The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are located on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. Together, the three forests cover 2.9 million acres in the central and southern Rocky Mountains, south of the Colorado River and west of the Continental Divide.
Recreation
Mountain biking and hiking are popular activities in this challenging, rugged terrain. Canoeing and fishing are favorite pastimes as well. The lake is usually so full of fish, one can see them rise to the calm surface.
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 Lake Irwin?
Sites at Lake Irwin are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Lake Irwin?
$24 per night per camping unit; $10 per firewood bundle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lake Irwin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lake Irwin open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season June 13 to Oct. 3.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Lake Irwin have?
45 sites, including 10 standard sites without power, 9 tent-only sites, and 6 RV sites without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lake Irwin?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Lake Irwin?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Irwin. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Lake Irwin?
Sites 002, 012, 030, and XXX are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Lake Irwin?
Mountain biking and hiking are popular activities in this challenging, rugged terrain. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Lake Irwin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Oh Be Joyful Campground (4.6 mi), Lost Lake Campground-Paonia RD (5.6 mi, first-come), and Gothic (8.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby