Favorite campground on the Gunnison River

4runnerguy wrote:
The section of road/river between Sapinero and Gunnison isn't particularly scenic. I guess what I should say is there are few trees in this area. When we need a night or two along US 50 between Gunnison and Montrose we stay at the Cimarron CG. It's a NPS CG between the road to South Rim of Black Canyon and Sapinero. Flush toilets and a dump station. Some of the sites have some pretty good sized cottonwood trees for shade.

I might suggest heading north of Gunnison to Almont and take the road up to Taylor Park Reservoir. A number of NFS CG's along this road, some with reservable sites. Also Lake View CG above Taylor Park. From there you can drive to Tincup which still has a lot of houses standing, many are now summer cabins. Drive up to and past Crested Butte to Gothic for some of the most outstanding fields of wildflowers in Colorado. There are ghost towns and mining ruins throughout this area.

From this area, you can now drive over Cottonwood Pass which drops you right into Buena Vista.

Plan an extra day or two in Silverton and rent a jeep. There are so many ruins in this area that you simply can't reach with your rig. Red Mountain, Engineer Pass, Cinnamon Pass, Yankee Boy Basin Road above Ouray. You can spend quite a bit of time exploring some amazing places in the Silverton/Ouray area. Most ghost towns to explore in this area than in the Salida/Buena Vista area.

I'm not sure you'll want to venture over Independence Pass on CO 82 with your rig. There are places on the west side where the road is very narrow. There are places where the road is around 12'-13' wide. I've met dually's up there and someone has to back up to find a place to pass.

Make sure you continue on the old railroad grade up past St. Elmo to Hancock. If you're feeling up to it, there's a trail to the collapsed east portal of the Alpine Tunnel. Well worth the hike.

Better ghost town hunting north in the valley around Leadville.

Think Ken is giving you the info you are looking for - he's been in these parts for Years (Whole Life) so he can lead you to the things few really Know.

If you need a CG with FHU's there is one on RT 50 that could work as you were going from A to B - https://www.blackcanyonrvpark.com/

Rico on the western side of where you will be on RT 145 might also be of interest with the Public Hot Springs........ just a thought.

Sounds like you will be having a great trip, Ken is correct on the perils of RT 82 - Independence Pass - While you will not be breaking the law it will be in just a couple spots, very tight - but it is not normally a heavily traveled route. Last take time to stop at Devils Punch Bowl - Devils Punch Bowl images

Best of Luck,