East Portal Campground
Campground · Colorado ·
Managed by the National Park Service
Uncompahgre Field Office (Bureau of Land Management CO) · Open Access
- 6,555 ft
- Elevation
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).
Getting there
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.
38.52690, -107.64931 · 38°31'36.8"N 107°38'57.5"W
Typical weather
Typically 78°F in Jul, down to 31°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 31 | 34 | 42 | 50 | 61 | 72 | 78 | 75 | 67 | 55 | 42 | 31 |
| Low °F | 14 | 17 | 23 | 29 | 38 | 47 | 53 | 51 | 44 | 33 | 23 | 15 |
| Precip in | 1.7 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.7 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about East Portal Campground
- Can you reserve a site at East Portal Campground?
- No. East Portal Campground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near East Portal Campground
- East Portal Campground less than 0.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison South Rim Campground 2.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison North Rim Campground 5.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Cimarron Campground (CO) 7.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- South Rim Visitor Center 2.8 mi · Visitor Center
- North Rim Ranger Station 5.1 mi · Visitor Center
- Cimarron Campground 7.6 mi · Campground
- Flat Top OHV Staging Area 11.4 mi · Facility
- Eagle Valley Trailhead 13.8 mi · Facility
- Bobcat Trailhead 13.9 mi · Facility
- Peach Valley OHV Staging Area 14 mi · Facility
- Duncan Trailhead 14.5 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone (970) 641-2337
- Email cure_info@nps.gov
- 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.
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