Buttermilk Camp

Introduction / Overview

For the seasoned Colorado adventurer, Buttermilk Camp represents the pinnacle of primitive, backcountry camping. Located deep within the rugged and spectacular Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area in Montrose County, this is not your typical drive-up campground. Buttermilk Camp is a designated river campsite, primarily accessed by boat, offering an experience defined by profound solitude, unparalleled natural beauty, and a true test of self-sufficiency. This exceptional spot is one of the designated camping locations within the highly-protected river corridor, making it a critical hub for multi-day float trips through the famous Gunnison Gorge. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as part of the broader Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (GGNCA), the camp is revered for its position along the legendary Gold Medal waters of the Gunnison River. A trip here is a commitment to the "Leave No Trace" philosophy and a deep immersion in one of Western Colorado’s most pristine landscapes. Visitors must be prepared for a genuine wilderness experience where the only amenities are those you pack in with you. It is essential to note that Buttermilk Camp is intended for experienced outdoor enthusiasts who are comfortable navigating challenging terrain, managing human waste disposal in the wilderness, and adhering to strict fire and environmental regulations.

Location and Accessibility

Buttermilk Camp is situated on the banks of the Gunnison River in Montrose County, CO, within the heart of the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness. The Gorge is located just northeast of the city of Montrose. Crucially, access to Buttermilk Camp is classified as boat-in, meaning the primary (and most rewarding) way to reach the site is by floating down the Gunnison River, which is known for its challenging Class III to Class IV whitewater rapids.

Unlike drive-up campgrounds, there are no paved roads or parking lots directly at the campsite. Visitors start their journey at one of the designated trailheads or boat launches, such as Chukar, Ute, or Duncan, and then embark on their river trip. The access roads leading to these trailheads, such as those off Peach Valley Road, are primitive and unmaintained. A four-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended for reaching the trailheads, and vehicles pulling trailers or pull-behind campers are explicitly advised against using these access routes. Hiking into the gorge is extremely steep and difficult, making the river float the preferred method of travel to the boat-in camps like Buttermilk. This remote location ensures minimal light pollution, offering an extraordinary opportunity for stargazing, as the GGNCA has been recognized for its exceptionally dark skies.

Services Offered

As a true wilderness campsite within a protected area, Buttermilk Camp offers minimal to no built-in commercial services. The emphasis is on primitive camping and environmental protection. Factual services and facilities related to your stay include:

• Designated Camping Site: Buttermilk Camp is a pre-approved, designated site along the river corridor, which visitors must camp in to preserve the fragile ecosystem.
• Self-Contained Waste Requirement: All visitors are required to carry and use a self-contained, EPA-approved human waste carry-out system (such as a 'groover' or 'Wag Bag'). Burying human waste is strictly prohibited.
• Pack In, Pack Out: There are no trash collection services. All refuse, including ashes from cooking, must be packed out by the visitor.
• Water Source: No potable water is provided. Campers must bring all necessary water or filter and treat river water.
• Permit System: Use of the wilderness area requires a permit, which is self-issued at the primary trailheads. Overnight river use incurs a fee.
• No Firewood Use: Campfires using collected wood (live, dead, or downed) are prohibited to protect the limited vegetation. Cooking is restricted to charcoal or gas stoves, with a firepan required for all charcoal use.

Features / Highlights

The features of Buttermilk Camp are its natural surroundings and the unparalleled access it provides to elite outdoor recreation. The highlights of a visit are distinctly focused on rugged, high-quality wilderness experiences:

• World-Class Gold Medal Trout Fishery: The Gunnison River is one of Colorado Parks and Wildlife's designated Gold Medal Waters, known worldwide for its abundant population of large brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. The camp's location provides direct, prime access for fly fishing.
• Challenging Whitewater Boating: The surrounding 14-mile stretch of the Gunnison River is famous for its technical, demanding Class III to Class IV rapids, attracting experienced rafters, kayakers, and boaters from across the globe.
• Exceptional Wilderness Solitude: As a congressionally designated wilderness area, the Gorge offers an extraordinary opportunity for unconfined, unmechanized recreation and a profound sense of isolation and quiet, away from the trappings of modern life.
• Spectacular Geological Vistas: The camp is situated between towering black granite and colorful sandstone cliffs, providing dramatic, ancient geological views that span nearly two billion years of the Earth's history.
• International Dark Sky Park: The GGNCA is officially recognized for its exceptionally dark night skies, making the camp an ideal spot for astronomy and stargazing.
• Wildlife Viewing: The remote setting provides excellent opportunities to observe native wildlife, including Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, eagles, and the elusive mountain lion.

Contact Information

Buttermilk Camp is an unstaffed wilderness campsite. For information regarding permits, conditions, and regulations, please contact the managing agency:

Managing Agency: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (GGNCA)

Address: Montrose County, CO 81415, USA (Campsite Location - Remote)

BLM Office Address: 2465 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401

Phone: (970) 240-5300 (BLM Montrose Field Office)

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing Buttermilk Camp is a deliberate decision to embrace true Colorado wilderness. This destination is worth choosing not for its comfort or convenience, but for the profound authenticity of the backcountry experience it offers. It stands apart from developed campgrounds by its very nature, promising an escape that is both physically challenging and spiritually rewarding. The campsite's primary value lies in its direct adjacency to a Gold Medal Trout Fishery, making it an absolute must-visit location for dedicated anglers who seek multi-day fishing trips. Furthermore, for skilled boaters, it is a crucial stop on a multi-day whitewater adventure through one of the West's most technical and revered gorges.

This is the place for Colorado residents who are seeking more than just a picnic spot—it is for those who value conservation, practice Leave No Trace principles religiously, and crave the quiet grandeur of a landscape where nature’s rules still dominate. If your ideal getaway involves a lack of cell service, a challenging physical journey, a firepan, and a blanket of unpolluted stars, then Buttermilk Camp in the Gunnison Gorge is the premier wilderness destination you have been searching for in Montrose County. It is the perfect opportunity to unplug, test your skills, and reconnect with the rugged, stunning heart of Western Colorado.

Buttermilk Camp

Montrose County, CO 81415, USA