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Oh Be Joyful Campground
BLMBureau of Land Management — Colorado · Gunnison
| Agency | BLMBureau of Land Management |
|---|---|
| Area | Gunnison |
| Location | Colorado · Gunnison · 38.91438, -107.03276 · Map |
| Sites | 29 public sites counted from the federal listing — 15 walk to; 13 rv nonelectric; 1 group tent only area 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 29 sites Water hookups at 0 of 29 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 29 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 29 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 58 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 10 sites · 30 ft: 9 sites · 35 ft: 8 sites · 40 ft: 6 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 | Fee $20 per night at individual sites, $60 per night at group sites. 22 Sites can be reserved 180-days in advance. The remaining 7 sites can be reserved 4 days in advance. Reservations are required for all sites. 14 Day Max Stay |
| Check-in / out | In 02:00 PM · Out 02:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 30 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 13 marked accessible in the listing |
| Amenities, as reported | River access |
| Phone | 970-642-4940 |
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 2026-10-09.
From the official listing
Overview Approximately 5 miles from Crested Butte, Colorado, Oh Be Joyful Campground is a 30-unit campground along the Slate River. The campground itself gets its name from nearby Oh Be Joyful Creek that features massive waterfalls and colorful wildflowers in the summer months. The campground is located at approximately 9,000 feet in elevation and the views are spectacular. There is no cell service at this location, please save or print a copy of your reservation confirmation prior to arrival.
Recreation This premier area is known for camping, fishing, horseback riding, sight-seeing, hiking/walking, water play, kayaking, mountain biking, wildflower viewing, and motorized recreational uses. A foot bridge allows visitors to access the west side of the Slate River to hike along Oh Be Joyful Creek and into the Raggeds Wilderness.
Facilities This 30-unit campground was recently renovated and has 14 RV campsites, 15 walk-in tent campsites, one walk-in group campsite and 3 vault restrooms. This campground is normally full and not available unless you have a reservation. Each campsite has a parking space, metal fire ring, picnic table, tent pad and bear proof food storage locker. Drinking water, electric hook-ups and trash service are not available at Oh Be Joyful so bring your own water and plan to take your own trash with you when you leave.
Parking is available for day use visitors who come to Oh Be Joyful to hike, play in the water, picnic, etc.
The access road (BLM Road 3220) into Oh Be Joyful Campground is steep and can be rough. The campground can accommodate RVs but the rough road down to the campground may not be suitable for larger low clearance rigs.
Be aware BLM is a multi-use land management agency, cattle may enter the camping area during your stay.
Natural Features The campground sits directly on the east bank of the Slate River and is nestled in a valley with mountains on either side of the valley. Due to the abundance of moisture in the spring and early summer, wildflowers are abundant. Look for our State flower the Columbine and other species including Indian Paintbrush and Avalanche Lilies.
Nearby Attractions
Charges & Cancellations Reservations cannot be modified less than 72 hours prior to reservation start date. This means no modifications can be made to a 4-day advanced reservation.
Only 2 modifications can be made to a 180-day advanced reservations sites.
Reservation cancellations occurring less than 72 hours prior to reservation start date are subject to NO REFUND.
Directions, from the listing
From the town of Crested Butte, drive north on Gothic Road. (County road 317) towards Mount Crested Butte. Cross the Slate River and turn left on Slate River Road (County Road 734). Follow this up the valley for approximately 5 miles to BLM Road 3220. Turn left onto BLM Road 3220 and continue for approximately 0.3 miles to a Oh Be Joyful Campground. BLM Road 3220 is steep and rough, low clearance vehicles and larger RVs may want to scout the road before driving down to the campground.
Nearest federal campgrounds
5 mi straight-line · ColoradoFSU.S. Forest ServiceGothic
5 mi straight-line · ColoradoFSU.S. Forest ServiceCement Creek
12 mi straight-line · ColoradoFSU.S. Forest ServiceErickson Springs
13 mi straight-line · ColoradoFSU.S. Forest ServiceMaroon Bells Amphitheatre
13 mi straight-line · Carbondale Colorado
Trip Card — Oh Be Joyful Campground
Colorado · Gunnison
| Agency | BLM · Bureau of Land Management |
|---|---|
| Location | Colorado · Gunnison |
| Fees | Fee $20 per night at individual sites, $60 per night at group sites. 22 Sites can be reserved 180-days in advance. The remaining 7 sites can be reserved 4 days in advance. Reser… |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 58 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 29 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10040591 · 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.