Gypsum Valley
Facility · Colorado ·
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Dolores River - McPhee Reservoir to Bedrock (Suitable - Recreational) · Open Access
- 5,336 ft
- Elevation
BLM's Gypsum Valley Recreation site is a remote site about 50 miles north of Dove Creek. The site serves primarily as a boat launch for the portion of the Dolores River flowing through the Dolores River Canyon Wilderness Study Area. There are three designated campsites here with rock fire rings and shade shelters. There are no other services/facilities for camping. Beyond boating, other popular uses of the Gypsum area are rock climbing, OHV touring, and hiking.
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. Outside of this timeframe, one would expect to have the area to themselves. For more information, please contact the Tres Rios Field Office.
Getting there
From Dove Creek, CO, take Highway 149 west about 1.5 miles to Highway 141. Turn north to follow 141 for approximately 34 miles to County Road 20R. Turn west on 20R and travel approximately 11 miles to a 'Y' in the road. Stay right and continue for another 2 miles. This small campground and boat launch will be on your left.
38.13511, -108.87883 · 38°8'6.4"N 108°52'43.8"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 1.3 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 16.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
No fees at this site.
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
Common questions about Gypsum Valley
- Can you reserve a site at Gypsum Valley?
- No. Gypsum Valley is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
- How long can you stay at Gypsum Valley?
- 14 Day Stay Limit
Camping near Gypsum Valley
- Buckeye Recreation Area (Co) 23.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bedrock Recreation Site 11.7 mi · Facility
- Box Elder 23.3 mi · Facility
- Dolores River Overlook 23.3 mi · Facility
- Mountain Sheep Point Rec Site 23.5 mi · Facility
- Upper Onion Creek Campground 27.2 mi · Campground
- Caddis Flats 28.1 mi · Facility
- Wilson Arch 28.5 mi · Facility
- Ledges Rockhouse Area 28.5 mi · Facility
- Ledges Cottonwood Area 28.8 mi · Facility
- Dewey Bridge Campground 29.2 mi · Campground
- Windwhistle Campground 31.8 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 970-882-7296
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-20.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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