Red Creek Group Site
In the heart of southwest Colorado is a group camp getaway for nature lovers and outdoor sports-enthusiasts. The Red Creek Group Site is located in the Curecanti Recreation Area, just south of the West Elk Mountains. The campground is surrounded by national forests and park lands with Gunnison National Forest to the north, Black Canyon to the west and the Uncompahgre National forest to the southwest. A wide range of mammals can be found within Curecanti, including mule deer, mountain lions, black bears, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, elk and the occasional moose. Bald eagles come here to fish in winter.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado · dark sky in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 22 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 22 | Gravel | Partial | 20 / 8 | 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 | 22 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 |
This is a group camping site for a minimum of 9 people and a maximum of 20 people. Recreation vehicles over 22'' not reccomended.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Red Creek Group campground is located off of US Hwy 50 between Gunnison and Montrose, on the north side of the highway approximately 3 1/2 miles (5.5 km) west of Elk Creek.
| Nearest town | Gunnison, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.4853° N, 107.2400° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHigh Mesa Piles Rx
22 mi from the campground · 324 acres
- WildfireGold Mountain
38 mi from the campground · 39,747 acres · 92% contained
- PrescribedTransfer Rd Rx
50 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 ↗ | 4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Float Shack ↗ | 29.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
The Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit features a display of an old-fashioned locomotive at the last remaining railroad trestle in the Black Canyon on the Gunnison route. The bonus is picture-perfect access to the tallest cliffs in the canyon. The Red Creek Road, which passes by the campground, provides access to national forest lands where hiking abounds.
- 3.9 miCurecanti Boat Launch Permit ↗Boat launch
- 4.2 miElk Creek Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
- 7.7 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
- 7 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 · 14.8 mi
Natural features
“This area is characterized by semi-arid shrubland with large cottonwood trees lining the campground. Red Creek flows out of the West Elk Mountains, through this campground, and into Blue Mesa Reservoir. By mid to late summer, the creek is low enough for wading. Some small fish inhabit the deeper pools.” Blue Mesa connects to the Morrow Point Reservoir, which flows down to the more isolated Crystal Reservoir. The passage of the Gunnison River is marked by the steep, narrow cliffs of the Black Canyon.
Recreation
Hikers may enjoy the Dillon Pinnacles Trail for views of spires formed by erosional forces working volcanic debris. The trail is a lollipop of about 4 miles. Anglers can enjoy fishing for brown, rainbow, and Mackinaw trout and Kokanee salmon. The population of Kokanee salmon is denser at Blue Mesa Reservoir than anywhere else in the country.
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 Red Creek Group Site?
Sites at Red Creek Group Site are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Red Creek Group Site?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Red Creek Group Site have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Red Creek Group Site?
The longest site here provides 22 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 pets allowed at Red Creek Group Site?
Yes, pets are allowed at Red Creek Group Site. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Red Creek Group Site?
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
Is Red Creek Group Site good for stargazing?
Yes. Red Creek Group Site sits inside Curecanti National Recreation Area, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
Is there cell service at Red Creek Group Site?
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 Red Creek Group Site?
Hikers may enjoy the Dillon Pinnacles Trail for views of spires formed by erosional forces working volcanic debris. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Red Creek Group Site?
Gunnison, Colorado. The Cimarron Canyon Rail Exhibit features a display of an old-fashioned locomotive at the last remaining railroad trestle in the Black Canyon on the Gunnison route.
Source: Getting there
What if Red Creek Group Site is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are East Elk Creek Group Campsite (3.7 mi), Elk Creek Campground (3.7 mi), and Ponderosa Campground (4.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is Red Creek Group Site in?
Red Creek Group Site is a Curecanti National Recreation Area campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.