Lake Irwin
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Somerset, CO, CO
Price: From $24 per night
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (63 reviews)
Season: May through October
Lake Irwin Campground is situated on the western banks of its picturesque namesake lake, approximately 9 miles from Crested Butte, Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its abundant trail opportunities, fishing and beautiful scenery.For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.The campground offers several single-family campsites, some of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Showers, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/lake-irwin to be notified when sites open up.
Lake Irwin offers picturesque scenery on the western banks of its namesake lake with abundant trail opportunities for hiking and mountain biking, plus excellent fishing where fish are reportedly visible rising to the surface.
Wildlife alert: Moose, Pacific Marten, Yellow-bellied Marmot, North American Porcupine, and Mule Deer present in area. Birds include Evening Grosbeak, Green-tailed Towhee, Dusky Grouse, and Audubon's Warbler.
Insider tips for Lake Irwin: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand. Free campsites available further from the lake if main pay area is full. Arrive early in the day to secure first-come, first-serve spots during peak season.
Skip Lake Irwin if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites; only suitable for self-contained RVs.. You're sensitive to bathroom odors — reviewers note the toilets smell awful despite the campground being clean and busy..
Best time to visit Lake Irwin: Weekdays (non-holiday) — First-come, first-serve camping fills quickly, especially during busy periods like post-July 4th when spots were claimed by noon.. May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only..
Nearby campgrounds: Oh Be Joyful Campground (Crested Butte, CO), Gothic (Crested Butte, CO), Erickson Springs (Somerset, CO), Cement Creek (Crested Butte, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Lake Irwin
Cell signal at Lake Irwin (Somerset, CO): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
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.
Lake Irwin Campground is situated on the western banks of its picturesque namesake lake, approximately 9 miles from Crested Butte, Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its abundant trail opportunities, fishing and beautiful scenery.For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.The campground offers several single-family campsites, some of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring.
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.
Free campsites available further from the lake if main pay area is full.
Arrive early in the day to secure first-come, first-serve spots during peak season.
First-come, first-serve camping fills quickly, especially during busy periods like post-July 4th when spots were claimed by noon.
Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Gunnison, take Colorado Highway 135 north 28 miles to Crested Butte. Turn left on Gunnison County Road 12. Proceed 7 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 826 and follow signs to the campground.
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 — Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Lake Irwin cost per night?+
What season is Lake Irwin open?+
Does Lake Irwin have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Lake Irwin?+
How do I make reservations at Lake Irwin?+
What is the cell service like at Lake Irwin?+
What season is Lake Irwin open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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