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Camping · Colorado

ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND

Campground · Fee

160 sites

Fast facts

Cost
$24.00
Type
Campground
Sites
160 total · 111 reservable · 49 first come
Reservations
recreation.gov
Phone
970-641-2337
Nearest dump station
Taylor Lagoons Dump Station · 43.5 mi
Coordinates
38.4678, -107.1758
Last verified
September 19, 2026
38.4678° N · 107.1758° W
Last verifiedSeptember 19, 2026

About this place

Overview Elk Creek Campground is on the north shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir. The lake is Colorado's largest body of water with 96 miles of shoreline and the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the United States. Elk Creek Campground is located off of US HWY 50 -15 miles west of Gunnison Co. at Mile Marker 142. The campground is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, which was named after a Ute Indian chief of the mid-19th century. The Elk Creek area is a hub for water based activities year round. Recreation Anglers delight in catching salmon and rainbow trout, while water sports fans find excitement in windsurfing and water skiing. Swimming is permitted throughout the 20-mile long reservoir and birders can find bald eagles here year round. Facilities Campfire programs are in full swing during the summer months. Cell phone service is limited. Electric hookups are in Loop D for both 30 and 50 amps. Elk Creek, Lake Fork and Iola boat ramps are OPEN for the season. Natural Features At an altitude of 7,540 feet, Elk Creek is surrounded by a vast expanse of sagebrush. Trees are minimal because the reservoir gets less than 12 inches of rain a year. Curecanti National Recreation Area is sandwiched between the towns of Montrose and Gunnison, Colorado. It spans three reservoirs, named for corresponding dams on the Gunnison River. These include the Crystal Reservoir, Morrow Point Reservoir and Blue Mesa. Nearby Attractions Visit the Cimarron Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route. Charges & Cancellations

From the managing agency.Official page

Is ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND free?

No. ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND charges $24.00. 111 of its sites are reservable through recreation.gov.

Can I bring an RV to ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND?

ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND has 160 sites on record. 111 sites are reservable and 49 are first come.

How do I get to ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND?

From Gunnison, drive 16 miles west on U.S. Highway 50. Turn left at Elk Creek.

What is the weather like at ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND?

Weather can vary greatly throughout the day. Summer daytime temperatures range between 50 to 90F (10 to 32C), nights 40 to 60F (4 to 15C). Precipitation is minimal, but afternoon thunderstorms and strong winds are common during the summer.

Nearby

SourceSource data is agency published. Last synced September 19, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.

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Disclaimer TerrainKit is an independent product with no affiliation with, sponsorship from or endorsement by the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service or any other public agency. Site and access information is compiled from publicly available sources and can go out of date without notice. Confirm current rules, closures, fire restrictions and stay limits with the managing ranger district or field office before you camp.
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47.5053° N · 111.3008° W
ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND, Camping in Colorado - TerrainKit