Oh Be Joyful Campground
Gunnison — riverside
Location: Crested Butte, CO, CO
Price: From $20 per night
Price range: $20–$60 per night
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (164 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Bear Boxes
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/oh-be-joyful-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Located 5 miles from Crested Butte along the Slate River at 9,000 feet elevation with spectacular views, the campground offers access to nearby Oh Be Joyful Creek featuring massive waterfalls and colorful summer wildflowers. Google reviews average 4.8/5 stars, with campers praising the stunning landscape and nearby hiking.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear present in area — use bear boxes provided. Also expect Yellow-bellied Marmot, Rocky Mountain Mule Deer, Pacific Marten, Red Fox, and snakes (Pituophis catenifer deserticola, Western Terrestrial Garter Snake). One camper reported approximately 100 cows grazing in and around the campground.
Insider tips for Oh Be Joyful Campground: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with only 29 sites Save or print your reservation confirmation before arrival as there is no cell service Bring a detailed map as cell service is unavailable
Skip Oh Be Joyful Campground if: You need RV hookups — no hookups at most sites; only suitable for self-contained RVs. You want guaranteed solitude from livestock — cattle may graze through the campground. You need cell service for navigation or emergencies.
Best time to visit Oh Be Joyful Campground: June-September — Peak wildflower season and accessible weather. Campground operates May through October with summer months offering colorful wildflowers and clearer conditions..
Nearby campgrounds: Lake Irwin (Somerset, CO), Gothic (Crested Butte, CO), Cement Creek (Crested Butte, CO), Erickson Springs (Somerset, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Oh Be Joyful Campground
Cell signal at Oh Be Joyful Campground (Crested Butte, CO): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 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.
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.
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 popular federal campground with only 29 sites
Save or print your reservation confirmation before arrival as there is no cell service
Bring a detailed map as cell service is unavailable
Peak wildflower season and accessible weather. Campground operates May through October with summer months offering colorful wildflowers and clearer conditions.
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 →
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.
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 — Gunnison fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Gunnison before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Oh Be Joyful Campground cost per night?+
What season is Oh Be Joyful Campground open?+
Does Oh Be Joyful Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Oh Be Joyful Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Oh Be Joyful Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Oh Be Joyful Campground?+
What season is Oh Be Joyful Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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