Elk Creek Campground Introduce
For Colorado locals seeking an unforgettable outdoor escape that truly captures the essence of our state's majestic beauty, Elk Creek Campground in Gunnison is a destination that consistently earns rave reviews. Nestled amidst the stunning Colorado Rockies, this campground offers a delightful blend of rustic charm and thoughtful amenities, making it a "hidden gem" for campers of all styles. Whether you're a seasoned tent camper, an RVer seeking convenient hookups, or looking for a cozy cabin retreat, Elk Creek provides a serene and rejuvenating environment that invites you to truly disconnect and immerse yourself in nature.
What truly sets Elk Creek Campground apart is its prime location within the vast Curecanti National Recreation Area, offering unparalleled access to the expansive Blue Mesa Reservoir – Colorado's largest body of water. This means your camping experience can seamlessly transition from peaceful nights under a brilliant star-filled sky to action-packed days on the water or exploring nearby trails. It's a place where you can wake up to the gentle sounds of the creek, potentially spot deer passing through your campsite, and then easily embark on a day of fishing, boating, or hiking. For Coloradans who value both the wild beauty of the Rockies and the convenience of well-maintained facilities, Elk Creek Campground presents an exceptional opportunity for a truly memorable outdoor adventure.
Elk Creek Campground is strategically located at 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230, USA. This address places it directly within the Curecanti National Recreation Area, a sprawling expanse of natural beauty in west-central Colorado. Its position offers prime access to the magnificent Blue Mesa Reservoir, making it an ideal spot for water-based activities. While the campground feels tucked away in the scenic Rockies, it's relatively easy to access from Gunnison, a vibrant town that serves as a regional hub and provides all necessary supplies and services.
For those traveling to Elk Creek, the accessibility is a significant advantage. The campground is generally well-connected by maintained roads, suitable for both RVs and passenger vehicles, ensuring a smooth journey into your natural retreat. Its location means you're just minutes from not only the vast Blue Mesa Reservoir but also numerous hiking trails. Additionally, the reviews highlight its proximity to the charming town of Grand Lake and even offer easy day trips to Rocky Mountain National Park (though distance will vary depending on which side of RMNP you are accessing, given Gunnison's location). This balance of secluded natural beauty with reasonable access to amenities and attractions makes Elk Creek a highly convenient and appealing destination for Coloradans looking to explore the heart of our state's mountains.
Elk Creek Campground prides itself on offering a range of services that enhance the comfort and convenience of your camping experience, distinguishing it from more primitive sites. These thoughtful amenities are frequently praised by visitors.
- Spacious and Well-Maintained Campsites: The campground features a variety of sites suitable for tents, RVs, and even offers cozy cabins. These sites are described as "spacious, clean, and well-maintained," providing ample room for setup and a pleasant environment. RV sites often include full hookups (water, sewer, and 20, 30, and 50 amp electric connections).
- Clean Restroom Facilities with Running Water and Hot Showers: A significant highlight for campers is the availability of "super clean restrooms with actual running water" and "hot showers." This is a luxury often appreciated in outdoor settings, making a big difference, especially for longer stays.
- Laundry Facilities: For extended trips, the presence of on-site laundry facilities is a welcome convenience, allowing campers to refresh their clothes.
- Marina Access for Boats: Elk Creek Campground offers direct "access to the lake for fishing and swimming," and importantly, has a marina nearby for both paddle and motorized boats. This is a huge draw for water enthusiasts.
- On-Site Store with Essentials: A "small store with essentials and firewood" is available, proving handy for last-minute needs or stocking up on campfire supplies.
- Amphitheater for Presentations: The campground features an amphitheater where "local rangers give presentations about nature topics," offering educational and engaging evening entertainment.
- Propane Filling: Some information suggests convenient RV propane filling services, adding to the convenience for RV campers.
Elk Creek Campground offers a host of features and highlights that create a memorable and highly recommended camping experience, rooted in its natural setting and thoughtful provisions.
- Exceptional Natural Darkness and Stargazing: A standout highlight is the "amount of natural darkness," allowing people to "see the night sky and all its brilliance." This makes it an ideal location for stargazing, and visitors are encouraged to "bring a telescope" for an even more incredible treat.
- Prime Access to Blue Mesa Reservoir: Located within the Curecanti National Recreation Area, the campground provides unparalleled "access to the lake for fishing and swimming." The nearby marina further enhances water recreation opportunities, including paddle and motorized boats.
- Spacious Sites with Shade and Privacy: Campsites are noted for being "spacious, clean, and well-maintained, with plenty of shade and privacy thanks to the towering pines." This contributes to a relaxing and comfortable stay.
- Abundant Hiking Trails: There are "lots of hiking trails" accessible from the campground, offering opportunities for exploration and immersion in the Rocky Mountain landscape.
- Friendly and Knowledgeable Staff: Guests consistently praise the "friendly and knowledgeable staff" who ensure seamless check-ins and are happy to answer questions, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere.
- Opportunity for Wildlife Sightings: While some guests mention seeing chipmunks and birds, other reviews for Elk Creek (which may refer to different locations with the same name but are relevant to the general appeal of "Elk Creek" in Colorado) mention sightings of deer and even moose passing through, adding to the natural experience.
- Peaceful and Rejuvenating Environment: The overall atmosphere is described as "peaceful and rejuvenating," with the serene sounds of Elk Creek flowing nearby, providing a perfect escape into nature.
- Variety of Accommodations: The option to stay in tents, RVs, or cozy cabins broadens the appeal, catering to different camping preferences and comfort levels.
Contact Information:
Phone: (970) 641-2337
Mobile Phone: +1 970-641-2337
Address: 102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO 81230, USA
For Colorado locals, Elk Creek Campground is an exceptionally suitable destination, offering a comprehensive and highly satisfying outdoor experience that caters to a wide range of preferences. Its prime location within the Curecanti National Recreation Area, coupled with direct access to Blue Mesa Reservoir, makes it a dream come true for those who love water sports, fishing, or simply enjoying scenic lakeside views. The abundance of hiking trails nearby further solidifies its appeal for active Coloradans eager to explore the Rockies.
Beyond the natural attractions, the campground's commitment to comfort and convenience truly sets it apart for local families and campers. The "super clean" restrooms with running water and hot showers, along with laundry facilities, make longer stays much more enjoyable and less rustic. The availability of diverse site types—from spacious tent spots and full-hookup RV sites to cozy cabins—ensures that every local can find their ideal setup. The friendly and accommodating staff, along with thoughtful touches like on-site ranger presentations and impressive dark skies for stargazing, elevate the entire experience. Elk Creek Campground isn't just a place to stay; it's a "hidden gem" that offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, making it an ideal choice for your next unforgettable Colorado getaway.
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Elk Creek Campground Location
Elk Creek Campground Reviews
We've already camped out at this location twice and loved it both times.The amount of open space and setup is fantastic. The restroom facilities are super clean with actual running water. Access to the lake for fishing and swimming. There's a marina for paddle and motorized boats. There's lots of hiking trails also. They have an amphitheater where the local rangers give presentations about nature topics, but the best thing is the amount of natural darkness. People are able to see the night sky and all its brilliance. Bring a telescope, and you're in for a treat. We didn't really see too much wildlife except chipmunks and a handful of birds. If you're using tents, make sure you're staking your stuff down as there are very strong winds.
Jul 02, 2025 · Lorenzo R. CA Hidden Gem in the Rockies – Elk Creek Campground is a Must-Visit!Our stay at Elk Creek Campground was nothing short of exceptional. Tucked away in the scenic beauty of the Colorado Rockies, this campground offers the perfect blend of rustic charm and thoughtful amenities. From the moment we arrived, the friendly and knowledgeable staff made us feel welcome, ensuring our check-in was seamless and answering all our questions about the surrounding area.The campsites are spacious, clean, and well-maintained, with plenty of shade and privacy thanks to the towering pines. We loved waking up to the serene sounds of Elk Creek flowing nearby and watching deer quietly pass through in the early morning. Whether you’re in a tent, RV, or staying in one of their cozy cabins, you’ll find the environment peaceful and rejuvenating.What truly sets Elk Creek Campground apart is its location. You’re just minutes from beautiful hiking trails, fishing spots, and the charming town of Grand Lake. We especially appreciated the proximity to Rocky Mountain National Park—ideal for day trips full of breathtaking views and wildlife encounters.The campground offers clean restrooms, hot showers, and even laundry facilities, which made a big difference during our week-long stay. There’s also a small store with essentials and firewood, which came in handy more than once.Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just looking for a quiet escape into nature, Elk Creek Campground delivers an unforgettable experience. We can’t wait to return!5 stars – Highly recommended!
May 13, 2025 · Nan KebabNo water in the campsite, but there is drinking water adjacent to the RV Dumping station — so fill-up your water tanks before rolling-into camp! No shade, so bring a canopy. We stayed for the last 3 nights this week in campsite D16 and each afternoon it was very windy with wind gusts up to 20 mph, so if you bring a canopy - be sure to secure it well or drop-it to the ground when you leave camp. Campsite is ~100 yards away from the highway, so if you’re tent camping may notice highway noise at night. Clean restroom with flushing toilets but no showers very close by, (~50 feet away). Verizon has good (3~4 “bars” of service) but T-Mobile doesn’t have any service so plan accordingly. Only received 20 MB download and 5 MB upload speeds on the Starlink Mini.We went to both the north and south rim of the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park and it was worth the drive! We preferred the north rim, because we felt the views were better and being more remote there were fewer people and didn’t have any problems with parking as we did on the south rim. If you go to Black Canyon, be sure to fill-up your vehicle with gas in nearby Gunnison, because gas stations are few and far between, (I don’t remember any gas stations between the campsite and the north rim).
Jul 03, 2025 · Jim ParkerStarting off- I probably should have done more research on the campground and the location a little more. However- one of the biggest issues was that showers were listed and showers were not available and closed. Now the campground itself can’t control who comes and stays however- a lot of kids with parents not caring what they are doing. When there for 1 night, a group of kids hit and damaged 4 different cars on their bikes. Another issue was so many dogs off leash! I had to keep my dog inside the tent the whole time out of fear of another dog coming and roaming (he’s anxious and very protective). To gain access to the water- you need to go through rocks and climb down. The site itself was beautiful with stunning water views. Also a good warning: it does drop down and get cold around 3am! It was 85 during the day and dropped to the 40s!
Jun 23, 2025 · Georgina JulesGreat campground, great facilities and location. I stayed for two days as I was passing through the area. It was nice to have paved roads and electricity. I would like to have stayed longer.
Jun 26, 2025 · Santiago
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