Elk Creek Campground
Curecanti National Recreation Area — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: GUNNISON, CO, CO
Price: From $24 per night
Price range: $24–$34 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (408 reviews)
Season: Year-round
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/elk-creek-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Elk Creek Campground sits on Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado's largest body of water with 96 miles of shoreline and the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the United States. Google reviews rate it 4.5/5, with campers praising the beautiful location, clean grounds, excellent stargazing, and educational programs.
Wildlife alert: Bald Eagle, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Pronghorn, Colorado Chipmunk, and Western Terrestrial Garter Snake verified in the area.
Insider tips for Elk Creek Campground: Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand Only select sites have electric hookups; most sites have no hookups Blue Mesa Reservoir offers water sports, fishing, and a day-use area
Skip Elk Creek Campground if: You need water or sewer hookups—only electric available on select sites. You prefer guaranteed hookups at all sites.
Best time to visit Elk Creek Campground: Year-round — Campground operates year-round with water-based activities available throughout the season.
Nearby campgrounds: East Elk Creek Group Campsite (GUNNISON, CO), Red Creek Group Site (GUNNISON, CO), Stevens Creek Campground (GUNNISON, CO), Lake Fork Campground (GUNNISON, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Elk Creek Campground
Cell signal at Elk Creek Campground (GUNNISON, CO): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand
Only select sites have electric hookups; most sites have no hookups
Blue Mesa Reservoir offers water sports, fishing, and a day-use area
Campground operates year-round with water-based activities available throughout the season
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
Elk Creek is located off of US Hwy 50 between Gunnison and Montrose, along Blue Mesa reservoir.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Curecanti National Recreation Area fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Curecanti National Recreation Area before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Elk Creek Campground cost per night?+
What season is Elk Creek Campground open?+
Does Elk Creek Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Elk Creek Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Elk Creek Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Elk Creek Campground?+
What season is Elk Creek Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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