South Rim Campground
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Write a Review Rim Drive Rd. Montrose, CO 81401 970-641-2337 Reservations: 877-444-6777 Official WebsiteGPS: 38.5428, -107.6885
Overview of South Rim Campground
In the summer, loops A, B, and some of the sites in loop C can be reserved through Recreation.gov. In the spring, fall, and winter, all sites are first-come, first-served.
This campground can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 55 ft. long.
Last Price Paid: $34
Reported by Topidoc on 4/30/2024
Longest RV Reported: 43 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Running.From.Normal on 11/7/2020
Number of Sites 88
Pad Type gravel
Reservations yes
Open Seasonally mid May to mid September
Elevation 7,939 ft / 2,419 m
Max Stay 14
Max Length 55 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about South Rim Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 970-641-2337
Room4Two asked on 2/13/2023
How s the drive going up to S Rim campground? We are in a Class C Sprinter MH, and are towing a jeep. Does the road...
Reviews of South Rim Campground 36 people have reviewed this location.
“Dogs and Summer Don’t Mix”
Reviewed 6/16/2018
Nightly rate: | $14 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | B4 |
RV Length: | 34' (Class A) |
We enjoyed our stay in South Rim Campground, kind of. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is something to see and experience for its geologic wonder and overall beauty. However, a new policy enacted this year by the park service put a bit of a damper on our stay. Between June 1 and August 10, dogs are essentially unwelcome in South Rim Ca... more
We enjoyed our stay in South Rim Campground, kind of. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is something to see and experience for its geologic wonder and overall beauty. However, a new policy enacted this year by the park service put a bit of a damper on our stay. Between June 1 and August 10, dogs are essentially unwelcome in South Rim Campground and on the nearby Rim Trail. The deer have taken over the campground, and they apparently have become aggressive towards dogs and humans during their birthing period. To mitigate the potential hazards to visitors, humans and dogs, canines must be constrained onleash ONLY in the campsite. They cannot he walked on the roads in the campground. We had two huge deer in our campsite along with our moderate-sized dog, and we experienced no problems. Albeit the deer had not given birth to a fawn yet, but they were both very pregnant. On top of this constraint, the campground hosts were NOT friendly.
We found a fine place to walk and exercise our pooch on BLM land about 1 mile outside the Park entrance kiosk on Highway 347 where there are many roads and several boondocking opportunities for vans and very small trailers.
The campground is easy to access on paved roads, but the campsites are gravel. There is a NO GENERATOR policy, so it is quiet. Loop B has electric hookups so you won’t need them there. Loop A has no electric. Loop C is tents and very small trailers only. We paid $14/nt for electric hookup in Loop B with our discount for an Annual Park Pass; it’s $22/nt without the pass. Water is available at a single spigot in each campground, but a sign reads THIS WATER IS HAULED 14 MILES BY TRUCK. CONSERVE. NO FILLING OF RVs. So if you are staying for several days in an RV, I’d recommend filling with water before you climb the hill to the park.
Cell service is not available in the campground, but you get good service on the South Rim Road west of the visitor center.
I would highly recommend driving down the East Portal Road to the Gunnison River deep inside the canyon. The road is steep, but nothing that any car or truck can’t handle. Use FIRST GEAR and save your brakes. It is a different experience seeing the river and canyon from this viewpoint, one worth it. Don’t just drive to the bottom, turn around and leave without getting out of your vehicle. Walk down to the river, 50’ or less, and feel its cold. And look up and around you at the sheer walls of this glorious natural chasm. It will be something you’ll remember.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Reviewed 7/18/2017
Nightly rate: | $16 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | A8 |
There are three loops - one is dry camping reservable online, one has hookups reservable online, the last C is first come first serve. There were no reservable spots open for our weekend, and we had a super long drive to get to the first come first serve on a Saturday night. The nice camp host greeted us before we entered the campgroun... more
There are three loops - one is dry camping reservable online, one has hookups reservable online, the last C is first come first serve. There were no reservable spots open for our weekend, and we had a super long drive to get to the first come first serve on a Saturday night. The nice camp host greeted us before we entered the campground area and told us that A8 was open which was in the reservable loop! Must have been a no show? It was a pull through so great for our little trailer. While vegetation blocked most of our views, you can hear all your neighbors. Our back up plan was the free BLM area a mile or so outside of the park. It looked big enough for a few tents/trailers.
Dogs cannot be walked outside of your camp site in June/July due to aggressive mama deer. Otherwise, the trail heading out of the campground is dog friendly. Take a drive down East Portal Road, the views are amazing. "In Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, pets on leash may be walked on roads, in North Rim Campground, to the overlooks, and are allowed on the Cedar Point Nature Trail, and North Rim Chasm View Nature Trail." - NPS
GinaDog would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Where do we go now, ow-ow-ow-ow-owo-oah, where do we go?”
Reviewed 7/9/2017
Nightly rate: | $16 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | C7 |
He had a black hood and boots, but otherwise was coated in cinnamon. Young and wild and free, I fell in love with him as he sauntered, at first, across the road to East Portal (where no campsites were still available on a Saturday afternoon around 3pm), but by the time our connection had begun it was already over…he ran off into the sc... more
He had a black hood and boots, but otherwise was coated in cinnamon. Young and wild and free, I fell in love with him as he sauntered, at first, across the road to East Portal (where no campsites were still available on a Saturday afternoon around 3pm), but by the time our connection had begun it was already over…he ran off into the scrub oak forest and lost himself between the serviceberries and Gambels.
I tried to find pleasure in the deer, walking with their babies, reportedly attacking humans with dogs to such a degree that they have banned walking your dog in the South Rim campground at all during the spring and summer months, but still, beautiful as they were, they'll never replace my precious bear cub love that will forever make this Black Canyon all the sweeter in my memory.
Bonus info!
No cell service, at all.
Can and plastic bottle recycling.
No firewood, so buy it outside of the park.
1 mile hike from C Loop to Visitor Center is a beauty, easy, but sometimes dangerous for the kids! No dogs allowed on this trail either.
2 cougars spotted in the last week! #yikes!
Nathan @ Wand'rly would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A great national park campground”
Reviewed 9/21/2016
Nightly rate: | $26 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
RV Length: | 27' |
We reserved ahead of time, but the campground is big enough to have spaces available in shoulder season. Nice space between sites, and variety enough to find one in the size you need. Trails nearby and the whole park is at your fingertips. Definitely worth the stay instead of having to commute into the park from town.
Van-Tramp would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Location”
Reviewed 7/13/2015
Nightly rate: | $18 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 12 |
This campground is like a typical forest service campground. Our site had a private picnic area which was nice, but in the evening, we could hear all of our neighbors talking. The campground was packed while we were here on a Saturday in July. I'd recommend making a reservation even though there are 1st come sites available. The bes... more
This campground is like a typical forest service campground. Our site had a private picnic area which was nice, but in the evening, we could hear all of our neighbors talking. The campground was packed while we were here on a Saturday in July. I'd recommend making a reservation even though there are 1st come sites available.
The best thing about this campground is the park itself. The views are incredible. If you're in a tent or truck camper, the East Portal Campground is worth considering or at least driving to it's at the bottom of the canyon and quite scenic.
Aluminarium would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Family Camping”
Reviewed 6/30/2015
Nightly rate: | $18 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | B11 |
RV Length: | 24' (Travel Trailer) |
Very nice campsites. Small trees surounded each site to give you some privacy. Fire pits and picnic tables were in each site. We were in B for campers. They also had education programs on most nights for you to learn more about the park. Could not get a signal with our phones while we stayed here.
61 Airstream would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Terrible Rude Host”
Reviewed 7/20/2021
Nightly rate: | $22 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | A15 |
The Loop A host Mark is unprofessional, rude, untruthful, unethical and falsely accused us of breaking a rule which the park ranger confirmed we did not. He defamed our character and judged us. Do not interact with this guy..
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- dry camping
- Partial Hookups
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- recycle
- restrooms: vault
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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