Can you reserve a site at Box Elder?

No. Box Elder is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Box Elder

Facility · Colorado ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Dolores River - McPhee Reservoir to Bedrock (Suitable - Scenic) · Open Access

6,086 ft
Elevation

BLM's Box Elder Campground is located within the Dolores River Canyon 6 miles NE of Dove Creek. The campground has 11 campsites with fire rings and picnic tables along with two vault toilets. Towering canyon walls cut by the Dolores River dominate this site, and when combined with the shade of the box elder grove and the proximity of the river, provide an element of relief from the summer heat.

There is no fee at this site, and camping is on a first come, first served basis. The busiest time of year is when there is a 'boatable release' on the lower Dolores from McPhee Reservoir, generally mid-April to mid-June. Holiday weekends during the summer can also fill up this small campground. For more information, please contact the Tres Rios Field Office.

Getting there

When traveling US Highway 491, turn east on CR J, just south of Dove Creek. Then turn north on CR 9, east on H, then north again on CR 10. Veer left at the 'Y' and follow the county road down into the canyon. After passing the Mt. Sheep Point (the Pumps) boat access, you'll arrive at the campground in less than Ѕ mile.

37.80126, -108.82440 · 37°48'4.5"N 108°49'27.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 87°F in Jul, down to 38°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	38	42	50	59	69	81	87	83	75	62	49	38
Low °F	17	21	28	32	41	52	58	56	49	38	27	19
Precip in	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

No Fee

Stay limit: 14 Day Stay Limit

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Member photos

Add a photo

Common questions about Box Elder

Can you reserve a site at Box Elder?: No. Box Elder is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
How long can you stay at Box Elder?: 14 Day Stay Limit

Also listed by

Box Elder also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Box Elder's operator.

Bureau of Land Management — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Dispersed Camping

Camping near Box Elder

House Creek 25.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
McPhee Recreation Complex 25.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mavreeso Campground 30.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
West Dolores Campground 31.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mountain Sheep Point Rec Site 0.3 mi · Facility
Dolores River Overlook 1.7 mi · Facility
Bradfield Recreation Site 11.5 mi · Facility
Gypsum Valley 23.3 mi · Facility
House Creek Boating Site 25 mi · Facility
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument - Visitor Center and Museum 27.1 mi · Facility
Caddis Flats 28.8 mi · Facility
Hovenweep Visitor Center 31.8 mi · Facility

Comments

Contact

Phone 970-882-7296
Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.