Home › Colorado › East Portal Campground
East Portal Campground
NPSNational Park Service — Colorado · Curecanti National Recreation Area
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Curecanti National Recreation Area |
| Location | Colorado · Curecanti National Recreation Area · 38.52706, -107.64948 · Map |
| Sites | 15 public sites counted from the federal listing — 15 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 15 sites Water hookups at 0 of 15 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 15 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 15 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | All campsites at East Portal are first-come, first-served. This campground uses Scan & Pay to accept on-site payment through the Recreation.gov mobile app. Download the app ahead of your visit to arrive ready! NOTE: Entrance to the campground is through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park which charges a $30 per vehicle entrance fee. You will pay this fee upon arrival (or purchase in advance ). The park also honors interagency passes for entry (e.g., senior, access, Golden Age, 4th grade, etc.). |
| Check-in / out | In 1:00 PM · Out 1:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 16 sites, as reported |
| Phone | 970-641-2337 x205 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview The East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The campground is located at the bottom of the canyon, along the Gunnison River. It is a small campground of 15 sites (10 are tent-only), shaded by box elder trees. East Portal is closed in winter, when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road. Elevation: 6526 feet (1990 m).
NOTE: Black Canyon of the Gunnison charges a $30 per vehicle entrance fee which you will pay upon arrival (or purchase in advance ). The park also honors interagency passes for entry (e.g., senior, access, Golden Age, 4th grade, etc.).
Facilities East Portal is a small campground of 15 sites (10 are walk-in tent-only; 5 are vehicle accessible), shaded by box elder trees. Seasonal potable water access and trash collection. Food storage in bear boxes is required. Each campsite has a fire pit, grill and picnic tables. The campground has vault toilets only.
Natural Features East Portal offers plentiful shade and nearby access to the Gunnison River. Spectacular views of Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Curecanti are abundant.
Directions, from the listing
After entering Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, turn right on East Portal Rd and follow it for 5.5 miles (8.7 km).
NOTE: East Portal Campground is closed in winter, when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · Gunnison ColoradoNPSNational Park ServiceBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison South Rim Campground
3 mi straight-line · MONTROSE ColoradoNPSNational Park ServiceBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison North Rim Campground
5 mi straight-line · ColoradoNPSNational Park ServiceCimarron Campground
8 mi straight-line · ColoradoNPSNational Park ServiceCimarron Campground (CO)
8 mi straight-line · Colorado
Trip Card — East Portal Campground
Colorado · Curecanti National Recreation Area
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Colorado · Curecanti National Recreation Area |
| Fees | All campsites at East Portal are first-come, first-served. This campground uses Scan & Pay to accept on-site payment through the Recreation.gov mobile app. Download the app ahead o… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 15 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10104819 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.