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BLM Camping

Gypsum Campground

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

Gypsum Campground is located outside of the town of Gypsum, not far from the larger communities of Silt and Rifle, in Colorado. The campground is located next to the Eagle River, and visitors can easily walk from the campground to the river to enjoy fishing and swimming opportunities. The area is also very popular for rafting and floating. The campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations, and there is a $10 per night fee.

Like all Bureau of Land Management sites, Gypsum Campground was designed to protect nature, create a safe haven for plants and animals, and introduce wild areas to visitors. These public lands are overseen by the BLM, but their preservation is reliant on the care visitors display when enjoying them. To find other BLM camping sites, search for “BLM camping near me.”

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Lily Pond Trail

This breathtaking trail in the Flat Tops Wilderness offers stunning views and is a wonderful location for spotting wildlife visiting the pond.

Length: 6.8 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Skinny Fish Lake Trail

The trail steadily climbs in elevation and offers hikers incredible panoramic views of the area.

Length: 6 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Flat Top Meadows Trail

A good option for more experienced hikers, this trail winds through gorgeous meadows before ending at a lake. The trail connects to several others, creating more options for routes.

Length: 13.8 miles

Intensity: Difficult

Little Trappers Trail

This gentle trail is excellent for hiking or spotting wildlife, and it’s also popular with horseback riders.

Length: 3.4 miles

Intensity: Easy

Muckey Lake Trail

This beautiful trail is sometimes overgrown in places, making for some challenging points, but because it’s relatively secluded, it’s likely you’ll have the area to yourself.

Length: 2.4 miles

Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

Sylvan Lake State Park is one of the best nearby areas for fishing. Anglers can often catch trout, and the area is also popular with canoeing, kayaking, and boating enthusiasts. Stagecoach State Park is also an excellent choice for fishing, and it’s known for its abundant rainbow trout. Ice fishing is also common during the winter months.

Climbing

The Dolores River Canyon offers some of the best rock climbing options near Gypsum. The area known as the Black Wall, for example, offers eight sport and traditional routes. Hamm Canyon offers six traditional and sport climbs. Visitors to this area will need to be careful, however, not to damage the petroglyphs that are on some of the rocks.

Wildlife Viewing

Gypsum Campground is a great place to spot wildlife, but the nearby Sylvan Lake State Park and Flat Tops Wilderness offer even more wildlife viewing options. Wildlife in the area includes geese, deer, herons, ducks, bighorn sheep, eagles, elk, bears, moose, and lynx.

Picnicking

Stagecoach State Park offers several picnic areas with views of the lake. Tables and grills are available at several of the day-use areas, including Keystone and Haybro. Dotsero Landing is another great choice, and the area offers picnic tables and restrooms. Visitors to Dotsero Landing can also view ancient lava flows.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

BLM RV camping is available at the Lyons Gulch Boat Ramp. There are five sites, including a group site. Restrooms are available, and the location provides easy access to the river. River Dance Park is another great option. The park offers daily rates starting at $30 and also provides the option of monthly rates. Full hookups are available. Ami’s Acres Campground offers sites in a variety of sizes and provides full hookups. This family-run campground prides itself on customer service.

Free Camping

Bureau of Land Management free camping can be found at the Hardscrabble – East Eagle area. Visitors can create a dispersed site anywhere that a campsite has previously been set up, but creating new campsites is prohibited. Deep Creek Camping also offers free camping, and there are five spots available. Each spot has a picnic table and a fire ring.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Gypsum Campground BLM trip

The Gypsum Campground is open from the middle of May to the middle of November. Summers are pleasant and therefore the most popular visiting times with temperatures hovering in the mid-80s. The area sees little rain in the summer and fall months.

October and November are also beautiful, and the area is popular with visitors looking to see the fall leaves, but it’s important to remember that temperatures drop drastically during these months. Daytime temperatures can be in the 50s and 60s, but nighttime temperatures can be in the 20s or even the teens. Temperatures during the spring are also cold, and snow is common. Always check the weather forecast before planning your trip, and if you decide to camp during cold weather, take any necessary precautions to stay warm. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace practices are essential guidelines for everyone enjoying Bureau of Land Management campgrounds like the Gypsum Campground. These guidelines include staying on trails while hiking or mountain biking so as to disturb the landscape and native plants as little as possible. It’s also important to pack out all of your trash. If no trash can is immediately available, take your trash with you and dispose of it properly later. Remember to share trails and communal areas with other guests and keep noise to a minimum. Because the area is so dry during the summer, fires can be extremely dangerous.