CuteCamper
Upper Colorado River Recreation Area
The Upper Colorado River Recreation Area spans a unique and beautiful landscape, known for its diverse water features, abundant wildlife, and cultural landscapes along the Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway.
Notable segments of the Upper Colorado River include Parshall to Blue River, Gore Canyon, Pumphouse to State Bridge, and State Bridge to Dotsero. The most popular of these segments, Pumphouse to State Bridge, offers camping facilities at Pumphouse and Radium recreation sites. The area combines placid boating waters through pastoral heritage ranchlands with more challenging Class II and III rapids in the intervening canyons.
Extreme Class IV and V whitewater rafting and kayaking exist in Gore Canyon (not recommended without a commercial outfitter). The Pumphouse Recreation Site also offers the Gore Canyon Whitewater Park with large boulders placed on the bed of the river create waves and whitewater for kayakers, stand-up paddle boarders and other whitewater enthusiasts. For more information, please contact the Colorado River Valley or the Kremmling Field Office.
Fees:
Day use fee:
$5/vehicle per day at Pumphouse, Radium, and Two Bridges;
- Free day use with Federal Lands Recreation Passes;
- State Parks passes are not accepted
Campsite (one vehicle included with camping fees):
- $10 /night per site at Pumphouse;
- $6/night per site at Radium
- $30/night for group campsites (maximum of 30 people), reservations through Kremmling Field Office at 970-724-3027
1/2 price camping with Golden Age, Golden Access Passport or America the Beautiful Senior or Access Passes
RecAreaDirections
The Upper Colorado River has access points at various locations along US-40 between Hot Sulphur Springs and Dotsero.
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Permits info
Facilities
Gypsum Valley Facility
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.
Wolcott Campground Campground
List of CampsitesWolcott Campground is located along the Eagle River and is readily accessible from Interstate Highway 70. It is located just to the east of the scenic Red Canyon on Interstate 70. The Wolcott Campground and boat ramp are open May 15 - November 15 annually. There is no reservation system. Campsites are occupied on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, please contact the Colorado River Valley Field Office.
Catamount Bridge Boat Launch Facility
Catamount Campground and River Access provides a concrete boat ramp, five campsites and vault toilets. Day use is high between May and September and parking may not be available at that time. Parking is allowed along the Colorado River Road. For more information, please contact the Colorado River Valley Field Office.
Cottonwood Site Facility
Cottonwood Island is located on the Colorado River and has a boat ramp and picnic site. Construction to improve site includes new vault toilet and loop road for boat ramp will be completed June 2018. Camping is allowed on the island but not at the parking area, picnic sites or the boat ramp. For more Information, please contact the Colorado River Field Office.
Lyons Gulch Boat Launch Facility
Lyons Gulch is a free BLM site featuring a boat launch, which includes a toilet and five campsites. Campsite #1 can accommodate larger groups. The restroom is closed November 15th to May 15th. Cat holes are not permitted due to the proximity to the river. Do not camp in this location during heavy rains due to mud slides and flooding. For more information, please contact the Colorado River Field Office.
Pinball Access Boat Launch Facility
Pinball Recreation Site includes two separate sites. Pinball River Access and Pinball Recreation Site. Pinball River Access does not have any facilities besides a boat ramp and parking is very limited. Pinball Recreation site has a vault toilet and a large parking area. For more information, please contact the Colorado Field Office.
Windy Point Site Facility
This site provides four campsites with picnic tables and BBQ stands or fire rings. No restroom provided and all cat holes must be at least 100 yards (75 Steps) from the river. Access by boat or narrow dirt road (trailers not recommended) south of State Bridge Landing. For more information, please contact the Colorado River Field Office.
Deep Creek Day Use Area Facility
Deep Creek canyon has outstanding scenic qualities related to the sheer-walled canyon, water resources, and riparian vegetation. The Deep Creek area has 5 sites that have picnic tables and fire rings. Camp at designated marked campsites only. Must pack out human waste or use the vault toilet a bit farther up the road. No cat holes are allowed due to the proximity of the creek to the sites. Follow White-Nose Syndrome decontamination protocol if exploring underground in the area.
Confluence River Access Facility
This site is located on the south bank of the Colorado River at the confluence of the Colorado and Blue rivers, near the Town of Kremmling. It has a rail boat launch and accessible vault toilet. This site is for day use only - camping is prohibited. There is no fee for use of this site, and trash services are not provided - pack out your trash. The Confluence River Access is the primary put-in location for Class IV-V+ whitewater in Gore Canyon. Gore Canyon is extremely dangerous and considered to be an "expert only" section of whitewater. For more information, please contact the Kremmling Field Office.
Powers Fishing Access Facility
Powers Fishing access site is a small BLM facility located on the Colorado River between the communities of Kremmling on the west and Parshall on the east. There are no facilities other than a parking lot for access to a public segment of the Colorado River. BLM-administered Public Lands are highly intermixed with private land along this stretch of the Colorado River. Be aware of public/private land boundaries to avoid legal action for trespassing.
State Bridge Recreation Site Facility
State Bridge is a river access and parking site along the Upper Colorado River. The river segment between Pumphouse and State Bridge has heavy public use. Below State Bridge, fewer boaters are seen. Site features include one paved boat launch and an unpaved small-craft launch, toilets, dressing rooms, garbage service and non-potable water.
The original State Bridge over the Colorado River was built in 1860, and was one of the oldest vehicular bridges in Colorado. It was pivotal in the development of North Park and the Yampa Valley regions of northwest Colorado. The bridge was replaced with a modern bridge in 1966. Portions of the old bridge can be seen in the middle of the river and on the north bank. For more information, please contact the Kremmling Field Office.
Barger Gulch Fishing Access Facility
The segment of the river from Granby to Kremmling is very popular for fishing and a portion has been designated as Gold Medal Water by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). Barger Gulch River Access is one of the fishing accesses that is located along the river. Barger Gulch is located 3 miles east on County Road 33 Facilities include a parking area. River access is about 1/8 mile long.
Reeder Creek Facility
The segment of the river from Granby to Kremmling is very popular for fishing and a portion has been designated as Gold Medal Water by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). Reeder Creek is located 5 miles east on County Road 33 Facilities include a parking area. The hike down to the river is 3/4 of a mile, bring sunscreen and water. River access is about 1/2 mile long.
Sunset Bridge Fishing Access Facility
The segment of the river from Granby to Kremmling is very popular for fishing and a portion has been designated as Gold Medal Water by the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW). Sunset Bridge is one of the fishing accesses that is located along the river. The Bridge Itself is private property. However there are public facilities. Facilities include a parking area, a trail to the river. River access is about 1/4 mile long. For more information, please contact the Kremmling Field Office.
