Guffey Gorge
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Guffey Gorge features a waterfall that feeds a mountain-adjacent swimming hole and cliff-jumping opportunities. The granite cliffs are 85 feet high, and the recreation area features a half-mile hiking trail. You cannot camp directly at Guffey Gorge since it is for day-use only. However, there are several RV parks and dispersed camping options on adjacent BLM lands, including Forest Service Road 250 and the Tarryall Creek Area. It's the perfect locale for adventure seekers and mountain lovers. Summer is the best season to visit Guffey Gorge if you plan on swimming.
Quick Facts About RVing in Guffey Gorge
• RV Friendly: Day-use only • Max RV Length: Smaller RVs can park in the day-use area • Camping Type: Developed and dispersed available offsite • Reservations: No • Hookups: None • Dump Station: None onsite • Potable Water: Bring your own • Cell Service: Spotty • Pets: Allowed, but must be leashed • Roads: Gravel • Best Season: Summer
Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area
• The Paradise Cove scenic swimming hole and waterfall • Cliff jumping opportunities • Scenic hiking at Paradise Cove Trail and Red Hill Trail • Local mining history and rustic cabins • Wildlife viewing
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Paradise Cove Swimming Hole Trail
This trail follows the creek bed upstream, leading to a charming waterfall. Be sure to wear sturdy and comfortable shoes, as the terrain can be rocky and slippery in some places. Length: 1.0 miles Intensity: Moderately challenging
Booger Red Hill Trail to Hole in the Wall Gulch
Explore Hole in the Wall Gulch by following the Booger Red Hill Trail until you reach the top of the hill. You can see the Guffey Gorge and the surrounding mountains from the summit, making it an excellent location for a panoramic photo. Length: 5.7 miles Intensity: Moderately challenging
Pony Gulch Homestead
Dip yourself in history by hiking on this out-and-back trail with several historic sites. Some historic attractions include old cabins, abandoned mining equipment, and rustic barns; you'll encounter interpretive signs and displays that provide exciting insights into the lives of the early settlers who called this place home. Length: 2.1 miles Intensity: Moderately challenging
Shelf Road / Gold Belt Tour
If you prefer a longer hike, take your RV and drive on this point-to-point trail near Guffey Gorge. The route passes through some of the most historic regions of central Colorado, including Cripple Creek, Victor, and the Royal Gorge. Drive along the edge of the gorge and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Arkansas River. Along the way, you will encounter impressive geological formations, including massive granite slabs, towering rock spires, and hidden caves. Length: 26.7 miles Intensity: Easy
Fishing and Boating
The gorge waters and surrounding West Fourmile Creek provide excellent habitats for various fish species, including cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout. Anglers can fish from the shore provided they have proper Colorado fishing licenses. Swimming is also popular in this area, with the refreshing oasis waters providing an excellent respite from the summer; however, visitors should exercise caution while swimming, as the water can become surprisingly deep in some areas.
Climbing
Elevenmile Canyon
If you're an experienced rock climber looking for a challenge, head over to Elevenmile Canyon near Guffey Gorge. The routes here are tall and varied, with some going up to 175 feet. One of the most popular routes at Elevenmile Canyon is rated a 5.8, making it a popular spot for intermediate climbers.
The Bank
The Bank is another popular rock climbing spot near Guffey Gorge, known for its impressive granite slabs. The area provides a range of climbing options for all skill levels, from accessible routes for beginners to more challenging climbs for experienced climbers. The courses here are rated from 5.6 to 5.11, with some going up to 100 feet.
Wildlife Viewing
Visitors can spot several species of birds, such as the golden eagle, peregrine falcon, and bald eagle. The area also provides a habitat for small mammals like rabbits and foxes and larger mammals like deer and elk, which can often be seen grazing in the surrounding meadows or drinking from the waters of the gorge.
Picnicking
Guffey Gorge offers several scenic locations ideal for picnicking with family and friends. The lush green lawns near the water's edge provide ample space for setting up a picnic blanket, while the towering cliffs offer shade and sun protection. If you prefer a more well-equipped setting, the picnic area near the parking lot has several picnic tables and grills.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
BLM RV camping is permitted around Guffey Gorge. One of the Bureau of Land Management campgrounds near the site is the family-owned Pikes Peak RV Park, which has a free parking lot and showers. If you want a pet-friendly location, go for Mountain View RV Resort, which has 40 sites with full hookups. Golden Eagle Campground is a popular RV park near Guffey Gorge with 125 pull-through sites and a pond full of trout.
Developed Campgrounds
There is no developed campground at Guffey Gorge; however, there are several RV campgrounds nearby. These accommodations will provide full or partial hookups along with great amenities, including swimming pools, picnic tables, and fire rings.
Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping is available at adjacent BLM lands, including the Forest Service Road 250 and the Tarryall Creek Area. The stay limit is 14 days, and there is a leave-no-trace policy. The access roads are paved; however, the roads leading to the camping areas are gravel and dirt. The camping spots are not defined, so privacy is minimal. These camping options are first-come, first-served, so you should arrive early to get the best spot. There are fire restrictions on public BLM lands due to wildfire risk, especially in the summer.
Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?
• Camper Vans: Camper vans offer an excellent turning radius, higher clearance, and can handle washboard dirt surfaces. They can fit in standard-size parking spaces at the recreation area. • Travel Trailers: Smaller, more rugged travel trailers offer good clearance and can handle country roads. However, the best option is to leave your trailer at one of the nearby campgrounds or dispersed camping areas. • Fifth Wheels: Fifth wheels are too large to park at Guffey Gorge. If you stay at a nearby campground, you can set up your site, then take your personal vehicle to the recreation area. • Class A Motorhomes: Class A motorhomes are a poor choice for a Guffey Gorge trip. The country roads in the area are not suitable for big rigs. • Class B Motorhomes: Class B motorhomes have a decent turning radius and higher clearance. As long as it is 25 feet or smaller, it is suitable for traveling to Guffey Gorge and nearby dispersed camping choices. • Class C Motorhomes: Smaller Class C motorhomes may be a suitable choice. However, their larger size and taller profile can make the gravel roads in the area more challenging.
Free Camping 
The Bureau of Land Management free camping is possible at Cripple Creek BLM Area, Fraile's Campground, and Tarryall Creek area. These sites are accessible by dirt roads and may lack amenities such as water and electricity. Visitors should ensure they have plenty of supplies, including food and water, before embarking on a camping trip in these areas. While camping on BLM lands is free, some sites may require permits or have associated fees.
RV Rentals Near Guffey Gorge Plan your next adventure
Planning your Guffey Gorge BLM trip
If you're planning a BLM camping trip to Guffey Gorge, pack plenty of supplies, as the area can be remote and lacks amenities. It's also important to check the weather before you go, as temperatures can vary throughout the day, and sudden rainstorms can occur. Open fires are prohibited in Guffey Gorge due to the risk of wildfires, so make sure you have cooking options that don't require open flames. Florissant is a nearby mountain town home to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. It has several local eateries, grocery stores, gas stations, and souvenir shops. Before heading out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving
You'll need to bring potable water when visiting Guffey Gorge. The nearest town is Guffey, which has a small country store with beverages and snacks. For more extensive grocery shopping and fuel, stock up before arriving. Eleven Mile State Park provides a dump station, and it takes about 35 minutes to get there. Cellular service is spotty, so it is best to download maps ahead of time. You can use a generator on adjacent BLM lands, and quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Leave No Trace 
Campers must practice "Leave No Trace" principles when camping on BLM lands as it ensures every individual takes responsibility for their environmental impact. Some of these principles include packing out all trash and litter, leaving the campsite as you found it, properly disposing of human waste, and minimizing campfire impact. Allowing trash and garbage to pile up can harm the ecosystem and threaten wildlife. Moreover, improperly disposing of human waste can contaminate the water sources in the area, making them unsafe for drinking and recreation. Therefore, campers and outdoor enthusiasts must take responsibility for their actions and clean up after themselves to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the BLM lands.
Guffey Gorge Location
From Cripple Creek, Drive 8.6 miles northwest on Teller County Road 1, then turn left onto County Road 11. Drive for 4.1 miles and turn right onto Teller County Road. Drive for 2.7 miles. You'll find Guffey Gorge on your right. Royal Gorge Field Office 3028 E. Main Street Caсon City, CO 81212 Ready to visit Guffey Gorge? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, enjoying a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
Plan Your Day at Guffey Gorge
• Morning: If you have a camper van or other small RV, you can park at the Guffey Gorge day-use parking lot. If you have a towable RV, it is better to leave it where you plan to camp. After the one-mile hike to the waterfall, you can enjoy a morning of swimming and taking in the sights. You can bring your dog if you keep them on a leash. • Afternoon: For the afternoon, consider taking a trip to the Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway. You can also drive about 35 minutes to Cripple Creek and visit the museums and the 1894 railroad. • Evening: In the evening, whip up a meal in your RV and relax at your campsite. Afterward, you can grab a blanket and check out the stars.
Nearby Attractions
• Eleven Mile State Park: Eleven Mile State Park has a large reservoir and offers fishing, boating, and paddleboarding. There are RV campsites with electrical hookups on site. • Mueller State Park: At Mueller State Park, you will find 55 miles of scenic hiking that overlook Pikes Peak. You can RV camp at this state park, and they have electric hookups, modern shower facilities, and a laundry area. • Royal Gorge Bridge and Park: Royal Gorge Bridge and Park offers the largest suspension bridge in North America. You can also enjoy ziplining and aerial gondolas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this attraction known by two different names? The recreation area is officially known as Guffey Gorge, and the BLM recognizes this name. However, many locals refer to it as Paradise Cove, even though Paradise Cove refers specifically to the waterfall area only. How can you pay the parking fees through the app without strong cell service? You can download and install the Recreation.gov app onto your device ahead of time. This way you can pay the $6 parking fee before arriving at Guffey Gorge. You will find a scan-to-pay feature on the app to assist you. Are there areas where pets aren't allowed? Guffey Gorge is completely pet-friendly, and you can bring your dog to the waterfall. However, you must abide by the leash requirement. Remain cautious of area wildlife that could pose a threat to you and your pets. Are there rules against alcoholic beverages at Guffey Gorge? Yes, all alcoholic beverages are prohibited. Furthermore, visitors are not permitted to bring any glass bottles or containers to Guffey Gorge. Is dispersed camping permitted near the swimming hole? Camping is prohibited at Guffey Gorge, including dispersed camping. The swimming hole and waterfall are only available for day use. What emergency services are available to RVers visiting Guffey Gorge? Guffey Gorge is managed by the Southern Park County Fire Protection District and the Park County Sheriff's Office. Emergency dispatch is available through 911 services.
Rent the Right RV for This Trip
To get the best experience when visiting Guffey Gorge, you have to rent the right RV. Camper vans and Class B motorhomes are the best choices for traveling to Guffey Gorge and the surrounding area. A towable RV is also a good option for visiting the waterfall. You can set up camp, then use your personal vehicle to commute to the recreation area. Browse our RV rentals in Cripple Creek to find the ideal rig for your Guffey Gorge excursion.