Lake Fork Campground
Lake Fork Campground is on the Blue Mesa Reservoir, near the reservoir's dam. It is a part of the historic Curecanti Recreation Area and is an ideal place to stay for days of boat recreation, hiking and taking in the views of the Black Canyon.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · dark sky in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 59 |
| RV, no hookups | 19 |
| Tent-only | 5 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
83 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Lower Loop | RV | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | Lower Loop | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | Lower Loop | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | Lower Loop | RV | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 005 | Lower Loop | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | Lower Loop | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | Lower Loop | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | Lower Loop | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Lower Loop | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | Lower Loop | RV | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Lakefront | 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 | None |
| Max vehicle length | 52 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Dark sky | Inside Curecanti National Recreation Area, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
| Accessibility | Sites 004, 015, 036, 037 and 2 more are listed accessible |
Flush toilets are available in summer months. Cell phone service is limited. For anglers, a fish cleaning station is provided for conveniently preparing the days catch.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Lake Fork campground is located off of Hwy 50 between Gunnison and Montrose, along Blue Mesa reservoir.
| Nearest town | Gunnison, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.4589° N, 107.3300° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHigh Mesa Piles Rx
18 mi from the campground · 324 acres
- WildfireGold Mountain
34 mi from the campground · 39,747 acres · 92% contained
- PrescribedTransfer Rd Rx
45 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 station | Dump station ↗ | 8.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 29.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Lake Fork Campground - Conejos River Colorado
Worth a stop
The recreation area is just south of Gunnison National Forest and east of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There's no shortage of options for Scenic Drives and Hiking. Try hiking the Curecanti Creek Trail or Hermit's Rest Trail off HWY 92.
- 7.7 miCommissary Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.6 miCurecanti Boat Launch Permit ↗Boat launch
- 8.9 miElk Creek Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
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
- 9.1 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Rimrock SchoolBuilding · Sapinero · 9.7 mi
- Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad Boxcar No. 3132Structure · Cimarron · 11.9 mi
- Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad Caboose No. 0577Structure · Cimarron · 11.9 mi
Natural features
The steep canyon walls in this part of the reservoir were carved out by the Gunnison River, which once flowed with powerful intensity fueled by the snowmelt of nearby mountains. Today, the Gunnison river is dammed in three places, creating three large and beautiful reservoirs to be enjoyed by visitors. The land is characterized by semi-arid shrubland with vast expanses of sagebrush. The natural features and ecosystems of Curecanti vary greatly, with Riparian habitats, epic canyons and lush patches of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and aspen trees.
Recreation
Jet skiing, water skiing and canoeing are some of the many water activities available on the reservoir. Bird Watching is also rewarding, with chances to see the black-billed magpie. Along the shrubland, visitors can spot Gunnison's Prairie Dogs popping out of their holes.
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 Fork Campground?
Sites at Lake Fork Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lake Fork Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Lake Fork Campground have?
83 sites, including 59 standard sites without power, 19 RV sites without hookups, and 5 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lake Fork Campground?
The longest site here provides 52 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
Are there showers or a dump station at Lake Fork Campground?
Flush toilets are available in summer months.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Lake Fork Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Fork Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lake Fork Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Lake Fork Campground?
Sites 004, 015, 036, and 037 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 6 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lake Fork Campground good for stargazing?
Yes. Lake Fork Campground sits inside Curecanti National Recreation Area, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
Is there cell service at Lake Fork Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G 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 Lake Fork Campground?
Jet skiing, water skiing and canoeing are some of the many water activities available on the reservoir. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Lake Fork Campground?
Gunnison, Colorado. The recreation area is just south of Gunnison National Forest and east of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Source: Getting there