U.S. Forest Service · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest · Delta, CO

Island Lake Campground

Island Lake Campground is located at an elevation of 10,000 feet on Colorado's Grand Mesa, which is home to more than 300 fishing lakes, near the cities of Cedaredge and Delta. Visitors enjoy the area for its excellent fishing, canoeing and hiking opportunities.

Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

More like this: electric hookups in Colorado · first-come in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
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Photos via Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups21
Standard with electric8
Group sites3
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 100 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

32 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePowerPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
001ElectricBack-in60GravelPartial50 amp8 / 1YesPrime
002ElectricPull-through100Gravel30 amp8 / 1YesPrime
003ElectricPull-through100Gravel30 amp8 / 1YesPrime
005ElectricPull-through100Gravel50 amp8 / 1YesPrime
006ElectricBack-in60GravelFull30 amp8 / 1YesPreferred
007ElectricBack-in60GravelFull50 amp8 / 1YesPreferred
008ElectricBack-in40GravelFull50 amp8 / 1YesPreferred
009StandardPull-through100GravelPartialNo8 / 1YesPrime
010StandardBack-in50GravelFullNo8 / 1YesPreferred
011StandardPull-through100GravelPartialNo8 / 1YesPrime

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

HookupsElectric, sewer
Max vehicle length140 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Tent padsYes

The campground offers 39 sites, including electric, non-electric and group sites. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided. Three vault restrooms are located within the facility. Trail access for hiking and off-road vehicle driving can be found within the campground. Visitors will find a boat ramp, fish cleaning station and new restroom at nearby Island Lake. Day-use parking and boat trailer parking are available for a small fee.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
SeasonJune 14 to Oct. 1 (weather dependent)
ForestGrand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore
BookingReservations can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777, TDD 1-877-833-6777. Some sites are first-come, first-served.
Fees$26 per night per camping unit; $10 per night electric fee; $10 per firewood bundle. Two vehicles are allowed with a total of 8 people per site. Sites must be occupied the first night and cannot be unoccupied for 24 hours. Not a picnic area.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Fore recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Island Lake Campground10°20°30°40°50°60°January: 2.87 inches of precipitationFebruary: 3.58 inches of precipitationMarch: 3.07 inches of precipitationApril: 3.01 inches of precipitationMay: 2.13 inches of precipitationJune: 1.11 inches of precipitationJuly: 2.04 inches of precipitationAugust: 2.24 inches of precipitationSeptember: 2.45 inches of precipitationOctober: 2.60 inches of precipitationNovember: 2.45 inches of precipitationDecember: 3.81 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 16.1°F averageFebruary: 15.4°F averageMarch: 23.1°F averageApril: 28.7°F averageMay: 38.1°F averageJune: 49.3°F averageJuly: 55.0°F averageAugust: 51.9°F averageSeptember: 45.7°F averageOctober: 34.7°F averageNovember: 23.8°F averageDecember: 15.2°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Bonham Rsvr, 8 miles from the campground at 9,852 feet, station USC00050825 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 31 inches a year. The shaded span is the published season, June 14 to October 1.

Getting there

From Cedaredge, Colorado, take State Route 65 north for 15.7 miles to campground sign (Forest Route 116). Turn left at sign onto Route 116 (gravel) and go 1.4 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.

Nearest townDelta, Colorado
Coordinates39.0319° N, 108.0106° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Transfer Rd Rx

    40 mi from the campground · 139 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗16.5 mi
RV sales & serviceTimberleaf Camping Trailers ↗28.8 mi
Outdoor gearLoki Outdoor Shop ↗29.8 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Camping on the Largest Flat Top Mountain in the World - Island Lake Campground - Colorado

Worth a stop

Recreation opportunities on the Grand Mesa National National Forest and surrounding areas are varied, and millions of visitors come to enjoy nearly 60 campgrounds and 13 picnic areas and more than 3,700 miles of system roads, including national and state-designated scenic byways and other scenic or recreation travel corridors. Thousands of miles of trails for hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking and motorcycle riding are available, including sections of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Colorado Trail. More than 300 lakes and 3,600 miles of streams are found on the Forest. Six mountain peaks reach more than 14,000 feet in elevation, creating many popular areas for rock and ice climbing, hiking and driving along high elevation meadows thick with colorful wildflowers and nature observation and photography of Colorado's abundant wildlife. A variety of historic mining sites are also found in the forest, including the San Juan Mining area, as well as the Alpine Tunnel Historic District, which includes approximately 13 miles of the former Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad railbed across the Continental Divide.

  • 0.1 mi
    Island Lake
    1.5 mi trail · hiking
  • 0.5 mi
    Land of Lakes
    0.4 mi trail · hiking
  • 0.6 mi
    Overlook
    2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 0.6 mi
    County Line Ski Outer Limits
    1.2 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
  • 0.6 mi
    County Line Ski Tower
    2.4 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
  • 0.6 mi
    Tower
    2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike

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

On Wilderness Atlas →

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests begins about 4.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

Island Lake is just.10 miles from the campground. A few sites offer panoramic views of Grand Valley and several lakes below. A dense grove of mature spruce trees covers most sites. A wide variety of wildlife frequents the area, including deer and elk.

Recreation

More than 3,000 miles of trails and routes provide access to areas of rugged beauty and solitude. Many were carved by indigenous peoples, early explorers and miners, offering an experience that connects visitors to the land and its prehistoric and historic past. The topography allows the forest to provide year-round trails for beginners to experts. The mountains, plateau and mesa never fail to provide a breathtaking backdrop.

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 Island Lake Campground?

For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Island Lake Campground?

$26 per night per camping unit; $10 per night electric fee; $10 per firewood bundle. Two vehicles are allowed with a total of 8 people per site. Sites must be occupied the first night and cannot be unoccupied for 24 hours.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Island Lake Campground?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Island Lake Campground open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season June 14 to Oct. 1 (weather dependent).

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Island Lake Campground have?

32 sites, including 21 standard sites without power, 8 standard sites with power, and 3 group sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Island Lake Campground?

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

Does Island Lake Campground have hookups?

Yes, electric and sewer hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Island Lake Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Island Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Island Lake Campground?

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.

Source: Fire nearby

What is there to do at Island Lake Campground?

More than 3,000 miles of trails and routes provide access to areas of rugged beauty and solitude. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Island Lake Campground?

Delta, Colorado. Recreation opportunities on the Grand Mesa National National Forest and surrounding areas are varied, and millions of visitors come to enjoy nearly 60 campgrounds and 13 picnic areas and more than 3,700 miles of system roads, including national and state-designated scenic byways and

Source: Getting there

What if Island Lake Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Little Bear (0.7 mi, first-come), Cobbett Lake (1.6 mi, partly first-come), and Ward Lake (1.8 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby