East Portal Campground
38.5269, -107.6493 · Park boundary: National Park Service
East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon National Park ($30 entrance fee). This small campground is located at the bottom of the canyon along the Gunnison River, shaded by box elder trees. The campground is closed in winter. East Portal Road is closed to vehicles in winter but open to pedestrians and cyclists. The Bureau of Reclamation determines when East Portal Road closes. Elevation: 6526 feet (1989 m).
- Every day
- All Day
Campground is open 24 hours in the summer. Check out time is 1 pm. The campground is typically open May to mid-October, weather permitting, and when the East Portal road is open. Water is typically available mid-May to mid-September (after the last frost of spring and before the first frost of fall).
- Closed in Winter · Nov 10, 2026 – Apr 11, 2027 · Closed
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
The nightly camping fee at East Portal is $20.00. Group size limit is eight people and two vehicles.
Discounted camping rate for valid Senior or Access passes. The nightly camping fee with valid passes is $10.00. Group size limit is eight people and two vehicles.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
Reservations are not accepted for East Portal Campground. All sites are first-come first-served. Payment MUST be submitted online using the Scan & Pay feature on the Recreation.gov mobile app. There is no cell service or connectivity on site. Download the Recreation.gov app before entering the park to arrive prepared.
- Drinking water
- Yes - seasonal
- Food storage lockers
- Yes - seasonal
- Toilets
- Vault Toilets - seasonal
- Trash & recycling
- Yes - seasonal
- Amphitheater
- No
- Camp store
- No
- Cell reception
- No
- Dump station
- No
- Firewood for sale
- No
- Host on site
- No
- Ice for sale
- No
- Internet
- No
- Laundry
- No
- Showers
- None
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
- RVs
- Allowed · up to 22 ft
- Trailers
- Not allowed
- Access roads
- Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
- Classification
- Limited Development Campground
- Cell service
- There is no cell service at East Portal, and typically no service available within the Park.
The campground is not wheelchair accessible.
East Portal campground is not ADA accessible. The campground road and parking areas are all gravel and all campsites are unimproved ground. 5 campsites have parking spaces adjacent to the site; 10 campsites are walk-in and require walking down steps from the parking area to the sites. Access to pit toilets and water is on compacted dirt paths.
Fires are permitted only in the designated fire rings, and only as long as there are no burn bans or dangerous fire weather.
Per the National Park Service, as of 2026-08-04
From Montrose, take Hwy 50 east. After about 6 miles, turn left onto Hwy 347 and follow it for 6 miles into Black Canyon National Park. At the park’s entrance station, turn right onto East Portal Road. Continue 5 miles to the base of the canyon and turn left at the signed junction toward the campground. The campground is just past the ranger station. Due to East Portal Road's steepness (16% grade) and tight curves, vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m)--*trailer included*--are prohibited on East Portal Road.
This Campground is at the bottom of Black Canyon near the Gunnison River, at 6,526 feet in elevation. Weather can rapidly change from warm and sunny to cold and rainy or snowy. Be prepared for 3-season camping, even in summer. Temperature range can vary 30 degrees or more throughout the day and night.
--Due to East Portal Road's steepness (16% grade) and tight curves, vehicles longer than 22 feet (6.7 m)--*trailer included*--are prohibited on East Portal Road. --Camp only in designated sites. --Maximum occupancy: 8 people, 2 vehicles per campsite. --Check In/ Out Time: 11 am --Pets must be leashed at all times. --Properly extinguish fires. Do not leave fires unattended. --Use bear boxes for any scented items, food, etc. --Stay is limited to 14 consecutive nights for a total of 30 days within a calendar year.
Drive to East Portal Campground
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