State Park Nearby

Silver Thread Basecamp

48 RV Sites, 1 Cabin, 5 Tent Sites, 3 Wagons

On the banks of the Rio Grande River in South Fork, Colorado—at the southern foot of the San Juan Mountains where the Silver Thread Scenic Byway begins its winding ascent through mining ghost towns, alpine meadows, and the crystalline lakes and waterfalls of the Rio Grande watershed toward Lake City and the Blue Mesa Reservoir—Silver Thread Basecamp puts guests directly on one of Colorado's Gold Medal waterways, a designation given by the Colorado Wildlife Commission to the reach of the Rio Grande above South Fork that consistently produces the trophy brown and rainbow trout fishing that defines Colorado's finest coldwater angling. The basecamp's combination of covered wagon accommodations, a rustic riverside cabin, full hookup RV sites, and tent camping creates a genuinely versatile property in one of the San Juan Mountains' most scenic and least crowded gateways. Full hookup RV sites with 30 and 50-amp service line the Rio Grande's bank, with 11 riverfront sites providing the immediate streamside position where the sound of the river is continuous and the trout rise visible from the picnic table. Covered wagons with queen beds, bunk beds, full bathrooms, heating, and air conditioning accommodate up to six guests each in the uniquely Colorado shelter format that combines the spirit of the frontier with the practical comfort of solid construction. A rustic cabin with a refrigerator, microwave, WiFi, and Smart TV rounds out the accommodation options. Hot tub and sauna service, a modern laundry, hot showers, a country store with propane fills, and a barbecue pavilion complete the basecamp infrastructure. South Fork sits at 8,180 feet in Rio Grande County at the confluence of the Rio Grande and the South Fork of the Rio Grande, in the broad, high-elevation valley that separates the San Juan Mountains to the west from the Sangre de Cristo range to the east. The Rio Grande's Gold Medal designation in the South Fork area reflects the river's exceptional clarity, cold temperatures, and aquatic productivity—conditions created by the high-elevation snowmelt and the spring-fed tributaries that maintain the water quality even during the warmer summer months. Fly fishing the Rio Grande in this reach requires skill; it rewards it with the trophy trout that have drawn anglers from across the country to this corner of southwestern Colorado. The Silver Thread Scenic Byway (Colorado Highway 149) begins in South Fork and climbs through one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in the state—passing Thirty Mile Campground, the waterfalls of Slumgullion Pass, the historic mining towns of Creede and Lake City, and the Blue Mesa Reservoir before reaching Gunnison in a 117-mile journey through country that remains genuinely remote even in the height of the Colorado summer season. Wheeler Geologic Area, accessible by four-wheel-drive or a 14-mile round-trip hike from the byway, protects the volcanic tuff formations that create the most bizarre natural landscape in the San Juan Mountains. Silver Thread Basecamp operates May through October in the South Fork valley's high-altitude seasonal window, with the Rio Grande's peak fishing from late June through September when the water clears from spring runoff and the trout become visible and active in the rifle runs and deep pools below the basecamp. The fall aspen color on the surrounding San Juan slopes typically peaks in late September and early October in the gold and orange display that makes the drive up the Silver Thread Byway at that season one of the finest fall experiences in Colorado. Reserve your riverside site, covered wagon, or cabin at Silver Thread Basecamp and let the Gold Medal Rio Grande define your South Fork Colorado adventure.

from $29/night

Aspen Ridge RV Park

35 RV Sites

Aspen Ridge RV Park in South Fork, Colorado, offers 35 full-hookup RV sites at the confluence of the South Fork and Rio Grande Rivers, with 20, 30, and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 55 feet. Back-in, pull-through, and deluxe patio back-in categories sit at 8,200 feet in the upper Rio Grande valley. Thirty-five sites carry water, sewer, and electric on 20, 30, and 50-amp across back-in, pull-through, and deluxe patio back-in configurations, sized to 55 feet, with picnic tables. Trailer rentals serve guests without a rig. Laundry, restrooms, showers, and a pavilion handle the practical side, with a community fire pit for evenings. Pets are welcome. On-site facilities are practical rather than programmed — this is a base for the surrounding mountains, and the valley does the work. Fishing runs from the rivers, with basketball on the grounds and a national park within reach. South Fork sits between Mineral and Rio Grande Counties at the gateway to the Rio Grande National Forest, the Weminuche Wilderness, and the Silver Thread Scenic Byway's mountain driving corridor — one of the least-visited and most naturally spectacular sections of the southern Colorado Rockies. The town's year-round resident community and resort economy sustain the full practical service infrastructure that serious mountain recreation requires, and the park's central valley position gives the best access to the fishing, hiking, skiing, and scenic driving in the drainage. The elevation shapes the season sharply. Summer fishing and hiking drive the peak, with fall color in the aspens a second draw and winter bringing ski traffic. Reserve ahead for July, August, and late September.

from $55/night

Grandview Cabins & RV Resort

81 RV Sites, 12 Cabins, 2 Tent Sites

Grandview Cabins and RV Resort in South Fork, Colorado, offers 81 full-hookup RV sites, 12 cabins, and two tent sites in the San Juans, with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 50 feet. Back-in and pull-through categories at both amperages join a hot tub, recreation center, walking trails, and dog park. Eighty-one sites span back-in 30-amp, back-in 50-amp, pull-thru 30-amp, and pull-thru 50-amp categories, all carrying water, sewer, and electric with site WiFi, sized to 50 feet, with picnic tables. Four straightforward categories — pick your amp service and whether you want to back in. Twelve cabins, two tent sites, and trailer rentals round out the lodging. A laundry, propane fills, restrooms, and showers handle the practical side. Rates cover two guests: additional RV guests are $3 per night, additional cabin guests $6, children under five are free, and active military get 10% off. A hot tub and sauna anchor the property, with a recreation center, community fire pit, walking trails, and dog park filling the grounds. Hiking, biking, boating, and fishing run nearby, with offroading close by. Pets are welcome. South Fork sits at the confluence of the South Fork and the Rio Grande in the San Juan Mountains, where the river's Gold Medal trout water, the Wolf Creek Pass corridor, and some of the deepest snowpack in Colorado meet. Creede, the Great Sand Dunes, and Wolf Creek Ski Area are all within reach. Summer is peak in the Colorado high country, with fall color and ski season extending demand. Reserve well ahead for June through September.

from $45/night

Base Camp Family Campground

20 RV Sites

Welcome to Base Camp Family Campground, a family-friendly campground in Southern Colorado crafted with insights from the Norris brothers' extensive RVing experiences. Kevin and Mitch Norris, enchanted by the region since their '80s escapades, established this premier Alamosa RV park to offer an affordable, spacious, and efficient camping hub. Situated amid towering 14,000 ft. mountain peaks, the campground is set in a unique high-desert alpine valley, surrounded by artesian wells, hot springs, and wetlands. Bask in 350 sunlit days annually with average summer temperatures hovering around 65 degrees. Historically, this valley holds profound significance for Native American tribes as a source of life and a peaceful passage. Blanca Peak marks its boundary, and the region's spiritual essence continues with 30 global religious centers in the nearby Crestone area. Join us, and find your center at Base Camp.

from $41/night

Four Seasons RV Park - Salida

62 RV Sites, 4 Cottages

Four Seasons RV Park in Salida, Colorado, offers 62 full-hookup RV sites and four cottages along the Arkansas River, with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 65 feet. Premium River and Deluxe River back-in categories join deluxe back-in, deluxe pull-through, and a small premium river tier, with a boat ramp, walking trails, and mountain views in every direction. Sixty-two sites span deluxe back-in, deluxe pull-through, deluxe river back-in, premium river back-in, premium river back-in small, and standard categories, all carrying water, sewer, and electric on 30 and 50-amp with site WiFi, sized to 65 feet, with picnic tables. The river categories are the reason to book here, and the small premium river tier right-sizes for compact rigs that still want the water. Four cottages and cabins round out the lodging. A laundry, propane fills and exchange, dump station, restrooms, showers, and boat storage handle the practical side. A boat ramp opens the Arkansas for boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, with walking trails, hiking, biking, a dog park, and picnicking filling the rest. Skiing and snowboarding are nearby. Pets are welcome. Directions: from US-285 go east on US-50 toward Salida — the park is a half mile east of town along the river, 10 minutes from Poncha Springs and an hour from Cañon City. The Collegiate Peaks define the skyline in every direction, and the Arkansas is the most rafted river in the country. Summer rafting season is peak. Reserve well ahead for June through August, with fall color drawing a strong September.

from $70/night

Salida RV Resort

85 RV Sites

Salida RV Resort in Colorado offers 85 full-hookup RV sites on more than 1,600 feet of private Arkansas River frontage, with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 45 feet on a big-rig-friendly layout. Premium riverside back-in and premium mountain view categories join standard mountain view back-in and pull-through tiers, with a boat ramp, fitness center, and clubhouse. Eighty-five sites span mountain view back-in, mountain view pull-thru, premium mountain view back-in, premium mountain view pull-thru, and premium riverside back-in categories, all carrying water, sewer, and electric on 30 and 50-amp with site WiFi, sized to 45 feet. Every category is named for its outlook, which tells you what the property is selling — river or mountains, and how close. A laundry, propane fills, dump station, restrooms, and showers handle the practical side. A boat ramp gives direct river access for boating and fishing, with a fitness center, clubhouse, game room, billiards, pickleball, sports courts, walking trails, hiking, biking, a playground, and dog park filling the grounds. Pets are welcome. Private river frontage in Chaffee County is a serious claim. The Arkansas carves through the Sawatch Range's eastern foothills between the Collegiate Peaks and the Sangre de Cristos here, and the whitewater, fishing, and trail access make this one of the most concentrated adventure-sport landscapes in the American West. Salida's historic downtown is close. Summer is peak in the Colorado high country, when the rafting season runs and the passes are open. Reserve well ahead for June through August, with fall color drawing a strong September.

from $64/night

Sweetwater River Resort

11 RV Sites, 4 Cabins, 6 Tent Sites, 1 Glamping Site

Sweetwater River Resort occupies 31 private acres along a half-mile of the Arkansas River in Cotopaxi, Colorado — a stretch of Highway 50 where the river cuts through the Bighorn Sheep Canyon between Cañon City and Salida, delivering some of the most dramatic high-desert river scenery in the American West. With frontage on both sides of the Arkansas and a setting in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Sweetwater River Resort is one of the most scenically positioned camping destinations in Colorado. Accommodations span rustic cabins, pioneer cabins, deluxe cabins, glamping tents, four traditional motel rooms, and a Big House perched above the river — suitable for large groups who want a private space with kitchen amenities and wraparound river views. RV sites and tent sites round out the options for guests bringing their own shelter. The bath house provides hot showers near the property entrance, and the half-mile of Arkansas River frontage on both banks gives guests unfettered access for fishing, wading, and riverside relaxation throughout the day. Pets are welcome. The Arkansas River at Cotopaxi flows through the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area — a state park extending the length of the river's Colorado run that protects and provides access to some of the most celebrated whitewater in the country. Gold Medal fishing on the Arkansas draws fly anglers who prize its brown and rainbow trout, while kayakers and paddlers of all skill levels navigate the Bighorn Sheep Canyon section that runs directly through the Sweetwater property. Royal Gorge, 30 minutes west in Cañon City, is one of Colorado's most dramatic natural landmarks — a 1,000-foot-deep canyon crossed by the world's highest suspension bridge, with the Royal Gorge Route Railroad running along the canyon floor for a scenic ride unlike anything above ground. Salida, 30 minutes east, is one of Colorado's most vibrant mountain towns — art galleries, local restaurants, live music, and 14er access fill the kind of afternoon that makes Salida worth a full day of exploration. Forty-five miles of 4x4 and ATV trails at Texas Creek and the Rainbow Trail near Westcliffe extend the outdoor recreation for guests with off-road capability. Sweetwater River Resort is open through the Colorado camping season, with summer delivering the widest combination of river recreation — from whitewater rafting with the outfitters concentrated along the Highway 50 corridor to fly fishing the Gold Medal Arkansas to hiking the Sangre de Cristo foothills. The sweetwater river resort's position exactly between Cañon City and Salida makes it a natural base for exploring two of the Arkansas Valley's most appealing communities in any direction.

from $40/night

The Last Resort on the River

28 RV Sites, 2 Cabins, 5 Tent Sites

The Last Resort on the River sits along the Blanco River on Highway 84 between Pagosa Springs and Chama, New Mexico—a small, quiet campground on a cold-running mountain river in the San Juan foothills of southwestern Colorado where the fishing is good, the setting is genuine, and the distance from the resort crowds of the main Pagosa Springs corridor is part of the appeal. The property has evolved from a simple riverside stopping point into a full-service camping destination with hookups, cabins, tent sites, and a collection of on-site recreation that keeps guests occupied through long summer days in the high country. The campground offers 23 full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer, plus six partial riverside sites with electric and water for smaller units positioned closest to the Blanco's current. Tent sites are situated directly on the river. A dry cabin and a fully stocked one-bedroom cabin are available for guests preferring enclosed accommodation. The bathhouse provides men's and women's showers and restrooms, with an on-site washer and dryer for laundry. A small general store carries ice, snacks, fishing tackle, and RV supplies. A former barn converted into a pavilion serves as the communal gathering space, two playgrounds provide children's recreation, and horseshoes, volleyball, and tether ball courts fill out the dry-land activity roster. Walking trails thread through the property, a dog park provides a fenced run area, and fishing is available in both the campground's stocked pond and the Blanco River itself. River tubing and beach access round out the water recreation. The Blanco River's valley cuts through the San Juan foothills in a landscape of piñon, juniper, and ponderosa pine that transitions into the higher spruce-fir forest of the San Juan National Forest as the elevation rises toward the Continental Divide. This stretch of Highway 84 between Pagosa Springs and Chama is one of the quieter and more scenic drives in the Four Corners region, traveling through ranching valleys and past the volcanic mesa formations that characterize the geology of this corner of Colorado and northern New Mexico. The Blanco runs cold and clear through the campground, fed by snowmelt from the San Juan peaks visible on clear days to the north. Pagosa Springs is about 20 miles north and is anchored by the geothermal hot springs at the center of town—the deepest known hot spring in the world feeds the pools at The Springs Resort and the town's other soaking facilities, providing the kind of hot-spring experience that the San Juan Mountain towns have offered travelers since the nineteenth century. Chimney Rock National Monument, a Chacoan outlier site where ancestral Puebloan structures perch on dramatic stone columns, is accessible as a day trip and represents one of the more visually striking archaeological sites in the American Southwest. Wolf Creek Ski Area, one of Colorado's snowiest mountains, rises above Pagosa Springs for winter visits. The Last Resort operates through the Colorado mountain camping season, with peak demand from Memorial Day through Labor Day and the high-altitude location delivering cool nights even at the peak of summer. The combination of riverside camping, hot spring proximity, and position on the scenic Pagosa-to-Chama corridor makes it a natural stop for travelers crossing the San Juan region who want something more than a highway pull-off and something less than a full resort experience.

from $45/night

Mesa Campground

Three miles west of Gunnison on US Highway 50, Mesa Campground sits at the gateway to one of Colorado's most compelling outdoor corridors, with the Gunnison River within walking distance and Blue Mesa Reservoir—Colorado's largest body of water—just minutes down the road. The campground offers full hookup sites for rigs of all sizes, cabin rentals, and proximity to both Curecanti National Recreation Area and the broader Gunnison Valley that makes this part of Colorado a legitimate four-season destination. The combination of river access, a national recreation area next door, and proximity to Crested Butte and Black Canyon makes Gunnison a natural hub for serious outdoor travelers. The campground's sites range from open and shaded options with 30 and 50-amp service to luxury pull-through configurations suited to the largest motorhomes. Free shared WiFi covers the property, and pet-friendly restrooms and showers reflect a campground culture that treats traveling pets as genuine guests. A well-maintained laundromat, communal fire pits, a small playground, and an on-site clubhouse, recreation center, and general store keep the operation self-sufficient for guests who prefer to limit trips to town. Propane service and boat storage accommodate guests who arrive between outings on Blue Mesa or the river. Cabins are available for those seeking a more contained stay. The Gunnison River is the natural focal point of the campground's immediate setting, and walking access to its banks provides easy trout fishing—the river holds brown and rainbow trout in quality numbers through the season—and the particular calm of a high-country river corridor available at whatever time of day fits your schedule. Blue Mesa Reservoir, three miles from the campground, is Colorado's largest body of water and one of the best Kokanee salmon fisheries in the West. Curecanti National Recreation Area surrounds the reservoir system and offers boating, paddling, and scenic canyon geology. Crested Butte, one of Colorado's most beloved mountain towns and a world-class ski and mountain biking destination, is 28 miles north of Gunnison on Highway 135. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park—a dramatically narrow canyon carved by the river itself—is accessible to the west for a day trip that ranks consistently among the most visually striking geological experiences in the Rocky Mountain region. The Gunnison area also anchors an off-road vehicle network extending into the surrounding mountains, and mountain biking trails out of Gunnison and Crested Butte are among Colorado's best. Mesa Campground operates year-round and provides a genuinely useful base for campers who want to explore the Gunnison Valley's remarkable concentration of outdoor opportunity. Summer is the peak season for water recreation on Blue Mesa and trails at Crested Butte, while fall brings extraordinary aspen color across the valley. Winter brings ski access at Crested Butte for guests willing to make the short drive over Kebler Pass. Book your site early for summer weekends and fall aspen season, and use the Gunnison Valley as the base camp it deserves to be.

Tall Texan RV Park and Cabins

84 RV Sites

Tall Texan RV Park and Cabins in Gunnison, Colorado, offers 84 full-hookup RV sites with 30 and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 45 feet, with more than 50 years of continuous operation in the Gunnison and Crested Butte Valley. Super size and El Grande back-in categories join premium back-in, premium pull-through, standard, and super size pull-through tiers. Eighty-four sites span standard back-in, premium back-in, super size back-in, El Grande back-in, premium pull-thru, and super size pull-thru categories, all carrying water, sewer, and electric on 30 and 50-amp with site WiFi, sized to 45 feet. The El Grande and super size tiers give larger rigs a proper option in a valley where space is often tight. A general store, boutique shop, laundry, propane fills, dump station, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side. A game room, playground, pavilion, and pond fill the grounds, with fishing on the property and a river nearby. Offroading is close by. Pets are welcome. Fifty years of continuous operation in a competitive mountain resort market says something no amenity list can. Gunnison sits at the convergence of the Gunnison River valley and the road north to Crested Butte, with the Black Canyon, Blue Mesa Reservoir, and the West Elk Mountains all within reach. Directions: from Highway 50, turn north on Main Street (Highway 135) for 2.5 miles — if you cross the bridge over the Gunnison River you have gone too far — then right onto County Road 11 by the mailboxes and the blue campground sign, and 300 yards in. Summer is peak in the Colorado high country. Reserve well ahead for June through September.

Oasis RV Resort & Cottages

36 RV Sites

Positioned directly across from Blue Mesa Reservoir—Colorado's largest body of water, covering more than 9,000 acres of surface area in the Black Canyon country of Gunnison County—Oasis RV Resort and Cottages offers lakeside camping access alongside a well-rounded amenity package that makes it a comfortable multi-day destination for guests exploring the Curecanti National Recreation Area and the broader Gunnison Valley. The resort's lakeside location gives it a natural backdrop defined by the reservoir's dramatic rock formations, and the combination of immediate water access and Gunnison's outdoor recreation infrastructure positions it as a natural basecamp for guests drawn to high-altitude Colorado camping. Sites are available for RVs with electric and sewer hookups, and tent camping and vacation cottages expand the accommodation options for guests with different lodging preferences. Shaded RV sites, free Wi-Fi, and pure drinking water address daily comfort needs, while a coin-operated laundry, propane sales, RV and boat storage, and a dog park handle practical aspects of an extended stay. The general store on-site is well stocked with groceries, toiletries, fishing tackle, RV supplies, and regional souvenirs, giving guests a convenient on-property resupply option without requiring a trip to Gunnison's retail corridor several miles away. Blue Mesa Reservoir, created by the impoundment of the Gunnison River behind Blue Mesa Dam in 1966, supports trophy trout fishing for Kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, and brown trout in one of Colorado's most productive high-altitude fisheries. Boating, waterskiing, kayaking, and windsurfing are popular on the reservoir's open water during the summer months, and the three arms of the lake—Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal—provide varied terrain for water recreation and lake exploration by boat. The Elk Creek Marina provides boat ramp access and rental services for guests who want on-water transportation beyond what they can launch independently. Curecanti National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service and headquartering near the campground on U.S. Highway 50, administers the reservoir and surrounding canyon lands with hiking trails, visitor programming, and ranger-led boat tours into the dramatic Morrow Point Canyon accessible only by water or the Pine Creek Trail. The Gunnison River downstream of the reservoir enters the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park—one of Colorado's most dramatic canyon systems, with sheer walls dropping nearly 2,700 feet to the river below. Dos Rios Golf Club in Gunnison provides a local golf option for guests seeking a break from water-based recreation. Oasis RV Resort and Cottages is open through the summer camping season, with the Colorado high country's elevation—Gunnison sits at approximately 7,700 feet—delivering cool nights and mild days even during the warmest summer months. The trout fishing season on Blue Mesa runs from spring through fall, and the reservoir's Kokanee salmon fishery peaks in late summer. Advance reservations for waterfront and lake-view positions are recommended for summer holiday weekends, when Curecanti National Recreation Area sees its highest visitation of the year.

from $60/night

Royal Gorge RV Resort & Cabins

69 RV Sites, 7 Cabins, 12 Tent Sites, 1 Glamping Site

Royal Gorge RV Resort and Cabins in Cañon City, Colorado, offers 69 full-hookup RV sites, seven cabins, 12 tent sites, and a glamping site across 35 acres, with 20, 30, and 50-amp service, ADA-accessible sites, and rigs accepted to 65 feet. Premium and deluxe back-in and pull-through categories join a pool, hot tub, spa, and jumping pillow with mountain views in both directions. Sixty-nine sites run in deluxe back-in 30/50-amp, deluxe pull-through 30/50-amp, premium back-in 30/50-amp, and premium pull-through 30/50-amp categories, all carrying water, sewer, and electric on 20, 30, and 50-amp with site WiFi, sized to 65 feet, with fire pits, picnic tables, and BBQ pits. Accessible sites are available. Seven cabins, 12 tent sites, and a glamping site round out the lodging. A general store, laundry, propane fills and exchange, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side. An outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, and spa anchor the property, with a jumping pillow, sports courts, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, walking trails, golf cart rentals, a playground, community fire pit, and picnicking filling the grounds. A river runs the property for fishing, and the birding is productive. Pets are welcome. Thirty-five acres with mountain sunrise and sunset views puts the Royal Gorge experience within reach from camp — one of the most geologically significant canyon systems in the Rocky Mountain West, with the Arkansas River corridor and its whitewater alongside. Summer is peak. Reserve well ahead for June through August.

from $49/night