Buckeye Recreation Area
The Buckeye Recreation Area is located adjacent to Buckeye Reservoir in Montrose County, Colorado. The area is popular for camping, OHV/ATV trails, hunting and fishing. Do not rely soley on Google Maps or Apple Maps for getting to this campground.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 30 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
31 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | 39 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 02 | Standard | Pull-through | 73 | Gravel | None | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 53 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 04 | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 05 | Standard | Back-in | 51 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 06 | Standard | Back-in | 52 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 07 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 08 | Standard | Pull-through | 74 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 09 | Standard | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | 41 | Gravel | Partial | 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 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 74 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The Buckeye Recreation Area is located adjacent to Buckeye Reservoir. The Recreation Area is spread out around the reservoir and consists of the Pioneer Campground (30 single family reservable campsites), a boat ramp for small fishing boats (5 HP motor limit and wakeless speed), a reservable group site, a day-use picnic area and 18 less developed dispersed campsites scattered around the reservoir. Campsites in the Pioneer Campground include graveled parking spurs, concrete picnic tables, fire rings, a utility table and access to vault toilets. There is a 14 day stay limit at this campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | Manti-La Sal National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made from May 15th until September 30th by calling 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or online at Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Individual campsites are $15/night. There is one group site available for $50/night. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Best Route: Head south from Moab on US 191 for approximately 27 miles and turn left onto Highway 46 at La Sal Junction. Continue on Highway 46 for 32 miles into Paradox, Colorado. Turn left at 5.75 Road at the USFS sign. Continue to the T-intersection and left on U5 Road and follow the USFS signs to Buckeye Campground.
| Nearest town | Montrose County, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.4454° N, 109.0431° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Some GPS or driving app directions are sending people on 4WD roads or to locked gates that are on private property.
- If you are unfamiliar with the area, please visit our "Facility Information - Getting Here" section for instructions on the best route to get to Buckeye Reservoir before reserving.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedTransfer Rd Rx
48 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 ↗ | 28.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Gearheads Outdoor Store ↗ | 28.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Centennial RV ↗ | 50.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Colorado Hidden Gems - Buckeye Reservoir Campground Walk - A High Def visit of a mountain
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miPioneer Cutoff0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV
- 2 miRoc Creek1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.1 miSinbad Ridge ↗8.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.5 miTwo-Mile Connector0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Dolores River BridgeStructure · Bedrock · 12.6 mi
Natural features
The recreation area is located in a valley at 7,600 feet in elevation and is set amongst mature stands of Ponderosa Pines. The high peaks of the La Sal Mountains are visible from much of the area. The scenic Paradox Valley and the town of Paradox, Colorado are located approximately 10 miles to the southeast.
Recreation
Recreation in the area centers around the reservoir which provides excellent opportunities for fishing and canoeing. Forest roads in the area provide for off-highway vehicle touring and the nearby state lands provide motorized trails for Off-highway vehicles and motorcycles. The La Sal Mountains are nearby which provide many hiking and biking trails.
Nearby
The scenic La Sal Mountains are very close to the area and provide numerous opportunities for recreation. Canyonlands and Arches National Parks are about 1.5 hour drive away from the area as well as numerous recreation opportunities around the towns of Monticello and Moab, Utah.
Guidebooks for Colorado
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Buckeye Recreation Area?
Sites at Buckeye Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made from May 15th until September 30th by calling 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or online at Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Buckeye Recreation Area?
Individual campsites are $15/night. There is one group site available for $50/night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Buckeye Recreation Area?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Buckeye Recreation Area have?
31 sites, including 30 standard sites without power and 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Buckeye Recreation Area?
The longest site here provides 74 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 Buckeye Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Buckeye Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Buckeye Recreation Area?
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 Buckeye Recreation Area?
Recreation in the area centers around the reservoir which provides excellent opportunities for fishing and canoeing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Buckeye Recreation Area?
Montrose County, Colorado. The scenic La Sal Mountains are very close to the area and provide numerous opportunities for recreation.
Source: Getting there
What if Buckeye Recreation Area is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Dewey Bridge Campground (7.9 mi, partly first-come), Upper Onion Creek Campground (8.9 mi, first-come), and Oowah Campground (13 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby