Soap Creek Corral Dispersed Camping

Camped at a Soap Creek dispersed site and after went hiking at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park which was only 30 minutes away. Upon returning to our site there had been heavy rains creating deep, thick mud on the roads. Our four wheel drive truck nearly went off the road and the mud was like wet clay creating a massive quagmire. With chains on the front tires we barely made it back to our campsite. Had to wait several days for the road to dry up in order to get out. Be aware of this possibility. Bring chains.

Came here to stay a few days. Saw a moose while driving into the area. There is a dispersed site before reaching soap creek. The kids loved wading in the creek and the views were great. Hiked up into the wilderness area. There is a pay area that is a great plan b but the free area is just as nice. There were several other campers but the area is fairly large. Has vault toilets that were a little stinky but have seen worse. Go up the road and AT&T service is accessible

This is about as close as you can get to the water. About 15 minutes to blue Mesa but many pull-outs on the way down there to do ck and get on the water. this site is less than a mile down the road from the paid soap Creek campground, why would anyone want to pay? No water, no sale, no Wi-Fi, but it did get crowded by Friday afternoon. Lots of shade and wooded sites to get away from the heat of the shore.

To add to what is already listed on this site, the forest service has very helpful directions on their page -

Directions: Take U.S. Highway 50 to Colorado State Highway 92. Turn right on to Highway 92 travel 1 miles to County Road 721 (also called Forest Road #721). Turn right on Forest Road #721 and drive 7.25 miles to Forest Road #824. Turn right on to Forest Road #824 and travel 0.5 miles.

- I'm sure apple/google maps will be helpful to get here, however you will not have service for a few miles on forest road #721 and #824.

If you go to the pay-to-camp campground the headmaster can sell you pre-split wood, and was also a very nice and helpful guy. We camped in a spot secluded from all of the RVs at the actual corral and enjoyed a nice quiet night.
We were woken up by the forest service doing some clearing of trees, we started packing up and one of the gentlemen came over and told us that it was no hurry, but they would be clearing some trees in the area that we were. Forest service people will be nice to you if you are nice to the forest and LEAVE NO TRACE!
Overall this is one of the most scenic and peaceful places I've ever camped, and I plan on going back again later this year.

The drive-in was a little long but TOTALLY worth it. We stayed on the corral side, which is free. There were lots of trees for shade, access to the river, and several fire grates. There is a corral for horses if you have them and want to bring them.

The camp host at the Soap Creek Campground (fee area) side was very friendly and helpful. He gave us a lot of information on different hiking trails in the area.

We were the only ones the first night. The next day a grandpa, dad, and 3 young boys on ATVs came and set up next to us. Lots of noise and dust kicked up but they seemed to be having fun.

There was a toilet on the corral side. My friend said it was gross.