Gateway RV Park

**Gateway RV Park**, managed by Carbondale Recreation, offers a unique and highly desirable camping experience in the heart of Colorado’s breathtaking Roaring Fork Valley. This small, scenic campground is specifically designed for RV enthusiasts looking for a convenient and affordable home base from which to explore the vast array of recreational activities between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. Unlike larger, more commercial resorts, Gateway RV Park maintains a quiet, intimate, and community-focused atmosphere, making it a favorite for those who prefer a tranquil mountain setting.

The park is nestled along the picturesque **Roaring Fork River**, a designated Gold Medal fishing water, providing spectacular natural views and the soothing sound of the river as a constant backdrop. This prime riverfront location is a major draw for guests, offering the immediate opportunity for fishing, paddle boarding, and boating via an easily accessible public boat launch. Surrounded by stunning mountain vistas, including views of the iconic Mount Sopris, Gateway RV Park truly lives up to its name, serving as a gateway to the best of Western Colorado.

The park is highly regarded by its patrons for its excellent cleanliness and the friendliness of its on-site camp hosts, who are often noted for their helpfulness and welcoming demeanor. While the park is smaller, with just 18 dedicated RV sites and a single Group Tent Site, this size contributes directly to the peaceful environment and sense of community. Its utility-focused design—offering essential full hookups and clean facilities—allows campers to spend less time on site logistics and more time enjoying the endless hiking, biking, skiing, and cultural events the Roaring Fork Valley is known for.

Please note that the park operates seasonally, typically opening from **May 1 through October 1**, dependent on weather conditions. Due to its popularity and small size, reservations are highly recommended, especially during the peak summer months.

Gateway RV Park is strategically located in Carbondale, CO, positioning it perfectly as a central hub for exploring the entire Roaring Fork Valley. Its location provides excellent accessibility to both high-country adventures and local amenities.

• **Physical Address:** The park is located at **640 Co Rd 106, Carbondale, CO 81623, USA**. The road, also known as Satank Road, is a short drive off of Highway 82, the main corridor connecting the area.
• **Central Valley Position:** The park is situated approximately:
  • 12 miles south of **Glenwood Springs**, famous for the Hot Springs Pool and Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
  • 30–40 minutes north of **Aspen** and **Snowmass**, providing convenient access to world-class skiing, dining, and Maroon Bells.
• **Local Connectivity:** Gateway RV Park is less than a mile from historic downtown Carbondale, offering a pleasant 20-minute walk or a quick bike ride to the town’s acclaimed culinary scene, art galleries, and shops.
• **Direct Trail Access:** A significant advantage is the immediate proximity to the **Rio Grande Trail**, a paved bike path that runs over 40 miles between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. Campers can access the trail directly to bike into Carbondale or venture further up or down the valley.
• **Public Transit:** The park offers easy access to the **RFTA (Roaring Fork Transportation Authority)** bus transit system, providing an alternative, reliable, and convenient way to travel throughout the region without using your RV or car.

While the park is conveniently located near the highway, guests often note that the constant sound of the adjacent Roaring Fork River effectively minimizes traffic noise, especially in the desirable river-facing sites.

Gateway RV Park focuses on providing essential, high-quality services to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free camping stay for its guests.

• **Full Utility Hookups:** Most of the 18 RV sites are full hookup sites, which include:
  • **RV Electric Hookup:** 50/30/20 amp service available at all RV sites.
  • **RV Water Hookup:** Running water service at most sites.
  • **RV Sewer Hookup:** Available at full hookup sites.
  • **Electric Only Option:** The park also offers a few sites with electric-only service for smaller RVs.
• **Sanitation and Facilities:** The park offers clean, well-maintained facilities for guest use:
  • **Public Restrooms:** Clean facilities with running water. However, some shared restroom arrangements may be less private in the women's facilities (side-by-side toilets with curtains).
  • **Public Showers:** Private enough and clean for general use.
  • **Dump Station:** Available for registered guests (non-guests are prohibited from using this facility due to limited capacity).
• **Connectivity:** To help guests stay connected while enjoying the outdoors:
  • **FREE WiFi:** Available throughout the park and at each site. Guests are asked to limit streaming to conserve bandwidth.
  • **Cell Service:** AT&T coverage is generally good, while Verizon coverage can be spotty. Starlink may work in certain spots.
• **Camping Fee:** The park utilizes a competitive fee structure based on site type (Full Hookup Pull-Through, Full Hookup Back-In, Water/Electric, Electric Only) and duration (nightly, weekly, and two-week options are available).
• **On-Site Assistance:** Friendly and helpful on-site **Camp Hosts** are available during the operating season to assist with check-in, questions, and site management.

The unique features and highlights of Gateway RV Park are centered on its natural beauty, its convenient location, and the quality of the camping experience it provides to the Colorado outdoor enthusiast.

• **Riverfront Location and Views:** The park is situated directly on the **Roaring Fork River**, offering highly sought-after river spots where campers feel "perched on their own hill." Many sites boast stunning river sounds and mountain views of the majestic Mount Sopris.
• **Access to Gold Medal Fishing:** The immediate river access is a major highlight, placing campers within steps of the lower Roaring Fork River—internationally renowned for its **Gold Medal fly-fishing waters**.
• **Dedicated Boat Launch:** The park provides easy access to a **public boat ramp** on the property, making it simple for guests to launch small watercraft for floating, rafting, or fishing trips.
• **Small and Quiet Campground:** With only 18 RV sites, the park is notably smaller than many commercial RV resorts. This results in a much **quieter, intimate campground** environment with "no shenanigans," as described by happy guests. Quiet hours are strictly enforced between 10 PM and 7 AM.
• **Pet-Friendly Environment:** Gateway RV Park is a **pet-friendly** campground, welcoming dogs and cats, provided they are kept on a leash and owners clean up after them.
• **Site Amenities:** Each RV site includes essential outdoor furnishings, such as a **fire ring** for campfires (local fire bans permitting) and a **picnic table**, allowing guests to fully enjoy the high-altitude Colorado evenings.
• **Affordable Basecamp:** The park is often highlighted as a significantly more **budget-friendly** option compared to staying in Aspen or Glenwood Springs, making it the perfect strategic basecamp for exploring the entire Roaring Fork Valley.

For current rates, seasonal operation dates, or to make reservations for your next Colorado adventure, please contact the Carbondale Recreation Department, which manages the facility.

• **Physical Address:** 640 Co Rd 106, Carbondale, CO 81623, USA
• **Phone (Camp Host - May 1 to Oct 1):** (970) 379-8151
• **Mobile Phone (Camp Host):** +1 970-379-8151
• **Off-Season Phone (Town of Carbondale Recreation):** (970) 510-1278 (for reservations and general inquiries outside the operating season)

Reservations are essential and can be made online or by phone. Guests should also check the most up-to-date rules regarding length of stay, which is typically limited to a two-week maximum during the season.

For the RV traveler looking to experience the best of Central Colorado's Rocky Mountains, Gateway RV Park is an undeniable choice. It is worth choosing primarily for its unrivaled balance of **prime location, affordability, and genuine small-campground atmosphere**. Situated exactly between the bustling excitement of Glenwood Springs and the high-end experiences of Aspen, the park allows visitors to easily access world-class recreation—from skiing and hiking to dining and hot springs—all while returning to a peaceful, riverfront retreat.

The unique setting right on the Roaring Fork River, coupled with direct access to the Rio Grande bike path and a public boat launch, makes it an ideal spot for avid fishermen, cyclists, and water sports enthusiasts. Furthermore, the commitment of the camp hosts to providing a clean, quiet, and friendly experience ensures a relaxing stay, despite the park's proximity to a main road. By choosing Gateway RV Park, you are choosing a scenic, functional, and budget-wise basecamp, putting the true spirit of Colorado adventure right at your doorstep.

Gateway RV Park

640 Co Rd 106, Carbondale, CO 81623, USA