Details
National Park ServiceLast Updated: December 6, 2025
Table Of Contents
Campground Overview
Introduction
The East Portal Campground is located within Curecanti National Recreation Area, but is adjacent to and only accessible from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which has a $30 entrance fee. The campground is located at the bottom of the canyon, along the Gunnison River. It is a small campground shaded by box elder trees. East Portal is closed in winter, when the Bureau of Reclamation closes the East Portal Road. Elevation: 6549 ft (1996.1 m)
Campsite Details
Operating Hours
First-come, first-served, with 10 walk-in tent sites and 5 car sites. Please make sure you have the Recreation.gov app before going to East Portal. Registration for sites will be available through that.
Weather
This Campground is at the bottom of Black Canyon near the Gunnison River, at 6,526 feet in elevation. Weather can rapidly change from warm and sunny to cold and rainy or snowy. Be prepared for 3-season camping, even in summer. Temperature range can vary 30 degrees or more throughout the day and night.
Amenities
Trash & Recycling Collection
Toilets
Potable Water
Food Storage Lockers
Rates & Fees
Standard Camping Fee
The nightly camping fee at East Portal is $20.00. Group size limit is eight people and two vehicles.
Senior / Access Camping Fee
Discounted camping rate for valid Senior or Access passes. The nightly camping fee with valid passes is $10.00. Group size limit is eight people and two vehicles.
Rules & Regulations
Fire/Stove Policy
Fires are permitted only in the designated fire rings, and only as long as there are no burn bans or dangerous fire weather.Accessibility
Wheelchair Access
The campground is not wheelchair accessible.
RV Allowed
Yes
RV Information
Vehicles 22 feet and over in length are not allowed on the East Portal Road and, therefore, not allowed in the campground.
RV Maximum Length
22
Trailer Maximum Length
0
ADA Information
East Portal campground is not ADA accessible. The campground road and parking areas are all gravel and all campsites are unimproved ground. 5 campsites have parking spaces adjacent to the site; 10 campsites are walk-in and require walking down steps from the parking area to the sites. Access to pit toilets and water is on compacted dirt paths.
Trailer Allowed
No
Access Roads
Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Classifications
Limited Development Campground
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