Lake Irwin
Campground · Colorado · 25 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Gunnison National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 25
- Bookable sites
- 99 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 6
- People per site
- 4
- Accessible sites
- 10,377 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Lake Irwin Campground is situated on the western banks of its picturesque namesake lake, approximately 9 miles from Crested Butte, Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its abundant trail opportunities, fishing and beautiful scenery.Recreation
Mountain biking and hiking are popular activities in this challenging, rugged terrain. Canoeing and fishing are favorite pastimes as well. The lake is usually so full of fish, one can see them rise to the calm surface.Facilities
The campground offers several single-family campsites, some of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Currently no water is provided, please bring your own.
Natural Features
The campground is set high in the Colorado Rockies at an elevation of 10,200 feet. Summer days are cool and afternoon showers are common. Nights can be chilly.Lake Irwin borders the campground on the east, and the Ruby Mountain Range lies to the west. Vivid wildflowers fill the landscape during July and August. Most campsites are shaded by mature Englemann spruce and subalpine fir trees.
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are located on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. Together, the three forests cover 2.9 million acres in the central and southern Rocky Mountains, south of the Colorado River and west of the Continental Divide.
Nearby Attractions
The charming town of Crested Butte is a short drive from the campground. The former coal mining town offers a variety of outdoor activities, dining and shopping options and annual festivals, like the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.The facts
- Season: June 13 – Oct. 3 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 25 bookable sites
- 45 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 4 accessible sites
- Vehicles up to 99 ft
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: LAKE, MANAGEMENT
Site types
- 20 Management
- 10 Standard Nonelectric
- 9 Tent Only Nonelectric
- 6 RV Nonelectric
Amenities
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
45 campsites at Lake Irwin
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 002 | LAKE | Rv Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | 40 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 003 | LAKE | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 35 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 004 | LAKE | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 006 | LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 007 | LAKE | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 20 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 008 | LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 009 | LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 20 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 010 | LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 011 | LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 012 | LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 013 | LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 014 | LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 25 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 015 | LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 45 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 018 | LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 20 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 019 | LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 20 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 021 | LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 022 | LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 024 | LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 35 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 025 | LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 026 | LAKE | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 30 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 027 | LAKE | Rv Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 99 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 028 | LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 99 ft | 6 | 🐾 |
| 030 | LAKE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 30 ft | 6 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 032 | LAKE | Tent Only Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| XXX | MANAGEMENT | Management | Back In | Gravel | 99 ft | 6 | ♿ |
| XXX1 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX10 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX11 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX12 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX13 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX14 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX15 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX16 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX17 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX18 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX19 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX2 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX3 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX4 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX5 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX6 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX7 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX8 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX9 | MANAGEMENT | Management | — | — | — | — |
Getting there
From Gunnison, take Colorado Highway 135 north 28 miles to Crested Butte. Turn left on Gunnison County Road 12. Proceed 7 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 826 and follow signs to the campground.
38.88111, -107.10694 · 38°52'52.0"N 107°6'25.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 76°F in Jul, down to 26°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 26 | 29 | 38 | 47 | 58 | 70 | 76 | 74 | 66 | 54 | 39 | 27 |
| Low °F | -6 | -2 | 7 | 19 | 29 | 34 | 40 | 38 | 31 | 22 | 9 | -4 |
| Precip in | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7 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 Lake Irwin
- Can you reserve a site at Lake Irwin?
- Yes, Lake Irwin is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Lake Irwin have?
- 45 sites in total, of which 25 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Lake Irwin?
- 99 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Lake Irwin?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Irwin.
Also listed by
Lake Irwin also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Lake Irwin's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- $24 per night per camping unit; $10 per firewood bundle.
Restrictions:
- ATV's use not authorized in campground.
Camping near Lake Irwin
- Oh Be Joyful Campground 4.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Gothic 8.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Erickson Springs 10.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Horse Ranch Park (Dispersed)-Paonia RD 3.2 mi · Campground
- Oh Be Joyful Recreation Area 4.7 mi · Facility
- Lost Lake Campground-Paonia RD 5.6 mi · Campground
- Washington Gulch #403 7.4 mi · Facility
- Yule Pass #2083 7.8 mi · Facility
- Gothic Campground - Gunnison RD 8.8 mi · Campground
- Anthracite Pass #1969 11.2 mi · Facility
- Raspberry Creek #1968 13.5 mi · Facility
- Aspen to Crested Butte via West Maroon #1970 13.7 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 970-349-6348
- Email camping@rrmofa.com
- Book 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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