Elk Creek Campground
Elk Creek Campground is on the north shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir. The lake is Colorado's largest body of water with 96 miles of shoreline and the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the United States. Elk Creek Campground is located off of US hwy 50 -15 miles west of Gunnison Co. at Mile Marker 142. The campground is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, which was named after a Ute Indian chief of the mid-19th century. The Elk Creek area is a hub for water based activities year round.
More like this: electric hookups in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · dark sky in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| RV, no hookups | 51 |
| Standard, no hookups | 45 |
| Standard with electric | 38 |
| Tent-only | 16 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 62 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
150 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A01 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| A02 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A03 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| A04 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A05 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A06 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A07 | Loop A | Standard | Pull-through | 30 | Paved | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| A08 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| A09 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 22 | Paved | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| A10 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 22 | Paved | No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 62 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | There is an additional $6:00 electricity attribute fee for Standard Electric sites. |
| Dark sky | Inside Curecanti National Recreation Area, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
Campfire programs are in full swing during the summer months. Cell phone service is limited. Electric hookups are in Loop D for both 30 and 50 amps.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Elk Creek is located off of US Hwy 50 between Gunnison and Montrose, along Blue Mesa reservoir.
| Nearest town | Gunnison, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.4678° N, 107.1758° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHigh Mesa Piles Rx
24 mi from the campground · 324 acres
- WildfireGold Mountain
40 mi from the campground · 39,747 acres · 92% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Float Shack ↗ | 29.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Holiday RV ↗ | 59.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Elk Creek Campground | Cumbres Pass | Antonito Colorado | Review
Worth a stop
Visit the Cimarron Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route.
- 0.2 miCurecanti Boat Launch Permit ↗Boat launch
- 0.5 miElk Creek Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
- 11 miCommissary Trailhead ↗Trailhead
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
- 8.8 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
- Gunnison River Bridge IStructure · Gunnison · 12.9 mi
- Gunnison River Bridge IIStructure · Gunnison · 13.1 mi
- Edgerton HouseBuilding · Gunnison · 14.1 mi
Natural features
At an altitude of 7,540 feet, Elk Creek is surrounded by a vast expanse of sagebrush. Trees are minimal because the reservoir gets less than 12 inches of rain a year. Curecanti National Recreation Area is sandwiched between the towns of Montrose and Gunnison, Colorado. It spans three reservoirs, named for corresponding dams on the Gunnison River. These include the Crystal Reservoir, Morrow Point Reservoir and Blue Mesa.
Recreation
Anglers delight in catching salmon and rainbow trout, while water sports fans find excitement in windsurfing and water skiing. Swimming is permitted throughout the 20-mile long reservoir and birders can find bald eagles here year round.
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 Elk Creek Campground?
Sites at Elk Creek Campground 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 Elk Creek Campground?
There is an additional $6:00 electricity attribute fee for Standard Electric sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Elk Creek Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Elk Creek Campground have?
153 sites, including 51 RV sites without hookups, 45 standard sites without power, 38 standard sites with power, and 16 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Elk Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 62 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Elk Creek Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Elk Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Elk Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Elk Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is Elk Creek Campground good for stargazing?
Yes. Elk Creek Campground sits inside Curecanti National Recreation Area, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
Is there cell service at Elk Creek Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Elk Creek Campground?
Anglers delight in catching salmon and rainbow trout, while water sports fans find excitement in windsurfing and water skiing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Elk Creek Campground?
Gunnison, Colorado. Visit the Cimarron Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route.
Source: Getting there