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Elk Creek Campground
NPSNational Park Service — GUNNISON · Colorado · Curecanti National Recreation Area
| Agency | NPSNational Park Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Curecanti National Recreation Area |
| Location | GUNNISON · Colorado · Curecanti National Recreation Area · 38.46778, -107.17583 · Map |
| Sites | 150 public sites counted from the federal listing — 51 rv nonelectric; 45 standard nonelectric; 38 standard electric; 16 tent only 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 34 of 150 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 0 of 150 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 150 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 150 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 | Longest reported site fits 62 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 55 sites · 30 ft: 48 sites · 35 ft: 36 sites · 40 ft: 30 sites |
| 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 | There is an additional $6:00 electricity attribute fee for Standard Electric sites. |
| Check-in / out | In 1:00 PM · Out 1:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 153 sites, as reported |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 970-641-2337 |
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 2026-03-11.
From the official listing
Overview Elk Creek Campground is on the north shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir. The lake is Colorado's largest body of water with 96 miles of shoreline and the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the United States.
Elk Creek Campground is located off of US HWY 50 -15 miles west of Gunnison Co. at Mile Marker 142.
The campground is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, which was named after a Ute Indian chief of the mid-19th century.
The Elk Creek area is a hub for water based activities year round.
Recreation Anglers delight in catching salmon and rainbow trout, while water sports fans find excitement in windsurfing and water skiing.
Swimming is permitted throughout the 20-mile long reservoir and birders can find bald eagles here year round.
Facilities Campfire programs are in full swing during the summer months.
Cell phone service is limited. Electric hookups are in Loop D for both 30 and 50 amps.
Elk Creek, Lake Fork and Iola boat ramps are OPEN for the season.
Natural Features At an altitude of 7,540 feet, Elk Creek is surrounded by a vast expanse of sagebrush. Trees are minimal because the reservoir gets less than 12 inches of rain a year.
Curecanti National Recreation Area is sandwiched between the towns of Montrose and Gunnison, Colorado. It spans three reservoirs, named for corresponding dams on the Gunnison River. These include the Crystal Reservoir, Morrow Point Reservoir and Blue Mesa. Nearby Attractions Visit the Cimarron Rail Exhibit to see railcars and the last remaining railroad trestle on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison route.
Charges & Cancellations
Directions, from the listing
Elk Creek is located off of US Hwy 50 between Gunnison and Montrose, along Blue Mesa reservoir.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · GUNNISON ColoradoNPSNational Park ServiceRed Creek Group Site
4 mi straight-line · GUNNISON ColoradoNPSNational Park ServiceStevens Creek Campground
5 mi straight-line · GUNNISON ColoradoNPSNational Park ServiceLake Fork Campground
8 mi straight-line · GUNNISON ColoradoNPSNational Park ServicePonderosa Campground (CO)
9 mi straight-line · Colorado
Trip Card — Elk Creek Campground
GUNNISON · Colorado · Curecanti National Recreation Area
| Agency | NPS · National Park Service |
|---|---|
| Location | GUNNISON · Colorado · Curecanti National Recreation Area |
| Fees | There is an additional $6:00 electricity attribute fee for Standard Electric sites. |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 34 |
| Max RV | Up to 62 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 150 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234053 · 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.