East Elk Creek Group Campsite
Invite family and friends to East Elk for an active group camping experience surrounded by rugged and stark mountains. The campground is perched on the tranquil East Elk Creek, which allows for water activities without the commotion of the reservoir. Enjoy time picnicking, kayaking, fishing or exploring wildlife.
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
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 2640 | Gravel | Full | 50 / 25 | 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 |
| 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 campsite accommodating a minimum of 9 people up to a maiximum 50 people. The boat ramp and inspection station are less than a mile away at Elk Creek.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
East Elk Creek Group campground is located off of US Hwy 50 between Gunnison and Montrose, on the north side of the highway approximately 1/2 mile (.8 km) west of Elk Creek.
| Nearest town | Gunnison, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.4856° N, 107.1722° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHigh Mesa Piles Rx
25 mi from the campground · 324 acres
- WildfireGold Mountain
41 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 ↗ | 1.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Float Shack ↗ | 28.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Holiday RV ↗ | 59.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Elk Creek campground Gunnison Colorado campground review #campgroundreviews, #rvlifestyle
Worth a stop
- 1.3 miCurecanti Boat Launch Permit ↗Boat launch
- 1.3 miElk Creek Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
- 10.5 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
- 7.7 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
On the National Register nearby
- Gunnison River Bridge IStructure · Gunnison · 12.3 mi
- Gunnison River Bridge IIStructure · Gunnison · 12.5 mi
- Edgerton HouseBuilding · Gunnison · 13.5 mi
Natural features
East Elk Creek sits at an altitude of 7,800 feet, just off the Blue Mesa Reservoir in Curecanti National Recreation Area. The reservoir is surrounded by scenic mountains and is home to the largest population of Kokanee land locked salmon in the state of Colorado. The other two reservoirs in the recreation area, Crystal Reservoir and Morrow Point Reservoir, are surrounded by high rising cliffs.
Recreation
The campground is set just off of the windsurfing area in the Cebolla Basin. It's an ideal location for avid windsurfers. It's also great for canoeing and hiking. Try the Dillon Pinnacles Trail for the nearest hiking trail.
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 East Elk Creek Group Campsite?
Sites at East Elk Creek Group Campsite are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at East Elk Creek Group Campsite?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does East Elk Creek Group Campsite have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to East Elk Creek Group Campsite?
East Elk Creek Group Campsite is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at East Elk Creek Group Campsite?
Yes, pets are allowed at East Elk Creek Group Campsite. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at East Elk Creek Group Campsite?
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 East Elk Creek Group Campsite good for stargazing?
Yes. East Elk Creek Group Campsite sits inside Curecanti National Recreation Area, a certified International Dark Sky Park.
Source: DarkSky International
Is there cell service at East Elk Creek Group Campsite?
FCC coverage maps show 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 East Elk Creek Group Campsite?
The campground is set just off of the windsurfing area in the Cebolla Basin. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to East Elk Creek Group Campsite?
Gunnison, Colorado.
Source: Getting there
What if East Elk Creek Group Campsite is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Elk Creek Campground (1.2 mi), Red Creek Group Site (3.7 mi), and Stevens Creek Campground (4.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
Which national park is East Elk Creek Group Campsite in?
East Elk Creek Group Campsite is a Curecanti National Recreation Area campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.



