Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
 

Recreation

Photo view looking west from Crag Crest on the Grand Mesa

It’s the Geography – Plateaus to Peaks

Campground Status - click here or scroll down

Scenery and an abundance of opportunities for access draw you in and trails lead the way to the rugged canyons, big mountains, wildlife, and history of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. Over three thousand miles of trails and routes provide access to areas of rugged beauty and solitude. Many were carved by indigenous peoples, early explorers, and miners, and offer an experience that connects users to the land and to the prehistoric and historic past. The topography allows the forest to provide trails—beginner to extreme—all year. The mountains, plateau, and mesa that make up the forest will always provide a scenic backdrop and thus a component of the quality of life in the area.
Recreation opportunities on the GMUG National Forest are varied, and millions of visitor come here to enjoy:

  • Three ski resorts, three lodges, two organizational camps, one marina;
  • More than 58 campgrounds and 13 picnic areas
  • Over 3,700 miles of system roads including national and state designated scenic byways and other scenic or recreation travel corridors
  • Over 3,500 miles of trails (hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, motorcycle riding); including sections of the Continental Divide National System Trail, and the Colorado Trail;
  • More than 300 lakes;
  • 3,600 miles of streams;
  • A variety of historic mining sites including the San Juan Mining area, as well as the Alpine Tunnel Historic District, that includes approximately 13 miles of the former Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad railbed across the continental Divide;
  • Six mountain peaks over 14,000 feet;
  • Many popular areas for rock and ice climbing,
  • Hours of nature viewing including observing and photographing Colorado's abundant wildlife; and
  • Hiking or driving along high elevation meadows thick with colorful wildflowers.

We invite you to visit our forest and enjoy the beauty, history and challenges it has to offer.

Use the sidebar menu on the left to search for recreation areas by activity or use the sidebar menu on the right to search by area and learn about all the different ways you can enjoy the outdoors on GMUG National Forest.

Click this link for Rocky Mountain Region 2012 Campground Listing

Recreation Conditions Report

 Area Name Status Area Conditions
Almont Campground Open to Visitor Hand-pump
Amphitheatre Campground Open to Visitor Treated water
Angel Creek Campground Open to Visitor Will open May 24
Beaver Lake Campground Open to Visitor No water
Big Blue Campground Closed to Visitor No water
Big Cimarron Campground Closed to Visitor
Cement Creek Campground Open to Visitor No water
Cobbett Campground Closed to Visitor No water
Cold Spring Campground Closed to Visitor No water
Columbine Campground Closed to Visitor No water
Cottonwood Lake Campground Closed to Visitor No water
Crag Crest Campground Closed to Visitor No water
Deer Lakes Campground Open to Visitor Hand-pump
Dinner Station Campground Closed to Visitor Hand-pump
Divide Forks Campground Open to Visitor No services. No Fee.
Dorchester Campground Closed to Visitor No water. Donation.
Erickson Springs Campground Open to Visitor No water
Five-mile Day Use Area Open to Visitor Limited services
Gold Creek Campground Closed to Visitor No water. Donation. Single toilet available.
Gothic Campground Closed to Visitor No water.
Granite Tent Campground Open to Visitor No water.
Hidden Valley Tent Campground Open to Visitor No water. Donation.
Iron Springs Campground Closed to Visitor No water. No fee.
Island Lake Campground Open to Visitor May 26. Treated water May 26-27
Jumbo Campground Open to Visitor Open May 25. Treated water May 26-27.
Lake Irwin Campground Closed to Visitor Hand-pump
Lakeview Campground Open to Visitor Only the electric sites are open.
Little Bear Campground Closed to Visitor Treated water
Lodgepole Campground Open to Visitor Hand-pump. Site numbers changed in 2011.
Lost Lake Campground Closed to Visitor Treated water
Lottis Creek Campground Closed to Visitor Treated water. Reconstructed in 2011, all new numbers.
Matterhorn Campground Open to Visitor Treated water.
McClure Campground Open to Visitor No water. No fee.
Middle Quartz Campground Closed to Visitor No water. Donation.
Mirror Lake Campground Closed to Visitor No water
Mosca Campground Open to Visitor No water
North Bank Campground Open to Visitor Hand-pump
One Mile Campground Open to Visitor Treated water
Pitkin Campground Open to Visitor Hand-pump
Quartz Campground Closed to Visitor No water
Rivers End Campground Closed to Visitor Hand-pump
Rosy Lane Campground Open to Visitor No Water
Silver Jack Campground Open to Visitor Treated water. Will be open for Memorial Day Weekend.
Slumgullion Campground Open to Visitor Water available
Snowblind Campground Closed to Visitor Hand-pump
Soap Creek Campground Open to Visitor Water available
Spring Creek Campground Closed to Visitor No water
Spruce Campground Open to Visitor No water
Spruce Grove Campground Closed to Visitor Hand-pump
Sunshine Campground Open to Visitor No water
Thistledown Campground Open to Visitor Will be open May 24,
Ward Lake Campground Open to Visitor open May 25. Water May 26-27.
Weir and Johnson Campground Closed to Visitor No water
Williams Creek Campground Open to Visitor Treated water
Woods Lake Campground Open to Visitor No water