Lake Fork Campground

Location

102 ELK CREEK
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Policies

Check-in

1:00 PM

Check-out

1:00 PM

Max stay

14 nights

Pets

Allowed (per listing)

Campfires

Allowed (per listing)

About

Lake Fork Campground sits along the shoreline of Blue Mesa Reservoir just downstream from the dam, a rugged stretch of water cut into steep canyon walls by the Gunnison River. The setting is semi-arid shrubland studded with sagebrush, with riparian corridors and pockets of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and aspen where water and elevation allow; from many campsites you can watch boat traffic cross the wide reservoir and glimpse the darker cliffs of the Black Canyon across the water. Boating is the central draw here jet skiing, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, paddle-boarding and windsurfing are all common on Blue Mesa and three boat ramps (Elk Creek, Lake Fork and Iola) are noted as open for the season. Anglers and wildlife watchers will find plenty to occupy them: fishable waters at the reservoir, a fish-cleaning station at the campground, and resident species such as black-billed magpies and Gunnison's prairie dogs in the surrounding shrubland. If you want to expand beyond the water, Curecanti's network of scenic drives and trails and nearby public lands including Gunnison National Forest and the edges of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park provide easy day-trip options like the Curecanti Creek Trail or Hermit's Rest Trail off Colorado Highway 92. Practical details matter here: Lake Fork has a total of 83 campsites, arranged in three loops Lower Loop with 19 sites, Middle Loop with 6 sites, and Upper Loop with 58 sites and the site-type breakdown is 59 sites that accommodate both RVs and tents, 19 RV-only sites, and 5 tent-only sites. Facilities are basic but useful for a reservoir-based stay: flush toilets are available in summer months, cell phone service is limited, and the campground provides a fish cleaning station. Because seasonal access and services can change, check current fees, reservation availability and cancellation policies with the National Park Service or the reservation system before you arrive; boat ramps and other amenities are typically seasonal and listed as open for the season when conditions allow. The campground is reached from Highway 50 between Gunnison and Montrose, making it a convenient base for days spent on the water, short hikes, wildlife viewing and the broader recreational opportunities auto touring, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, swimming and wildlife viewing throughout Curecanti National Recreation Area.