The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Pumphouse Recreation Site is a popular spot for boating, rafting and kayaking on the Colorado River. It's downstream from the Town of Kremmling and allows visitors to access Class II and Class III segments of the Upper Colorado River. There are three boat launches and a nearby campground with 20 standard campsites. Tens of thousands of people visit the Upper Colorado River every summer. Pumphouse Recreation Site is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a federal agency that manages 245 million acres of public lands and strives to sustain America's natural beauty and diversity. Drive 153 miles through the Arapaho National Forest to find Rocky Mountain National Park. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is about 4 miles south by the Gunnison National Forest. Kremmling, home to about 1,600 people, is 14 miles away. If you're looking for exciting nightclubs, renowned museums and extraordinary restaurants, the capital city of Denver is 114 miles to the east.
This peaceful trail leads to a small, natural hot spring where you can bathe and relax. You'll also find a cliff beside the spring where you can take pictures of the surrounding forest and river. Avoid attempting to cliff jump as this can lead to injuries. Intensity: Moderate Length: 1.4 miles
The start of this trail is easy and beautiful. Once you branch away from the fishing area, you'll have to make your way up a steep hill. Many parts of the path are narrow and frequently washed out depending on the weather. Hiking poles and sturdy, comfortable shoes are musts. Intensity: Moderate Length: 2.8 miles
The Pumphouse Recreation Site has two paved boat launches and one railed launch. The adjacent campground has three more launches for your convenience. Boating, guided fishing and kayaking are all popular on this section of the Colorado River during the summer. Try fly fishing for cutthroat trout, channel catfish, black bullhead and sunfish.
Gore Canyon, a short, isolated range, has a maximum elevation of 6,985 feet. To reach the best climbing spots, you'll have to kayak or raft your way through Class V rapids. This spot became so popular with local kayakers that the Gore Canyon Whitewater Festival was created. Other nearby ridges include Sheephorn Mountain, Dice Hill, Black Mountain and West Peak.
As you're enjoying the stunning Colorado River, you may see bald eagles, pronghorns, bighorn sheep, marmots, mule deer, raccoons, striped skunks, river otters or beavers. Local birds include dusky grouse, gray jays, red crossbills, American dippers and great horned owls. Mountain lions, elk and black bears are a few of the less common mammals in the area.
The nearby Pumphouse Campground has a picnic shelter with four spacious tables. The Radium Recreation Site is another great picnicking option with additional bathrooms, boat launches and campsites. You're also welcome to picnic while you hike, explore, fish and view the wildlife. You'll find several nearby parking lots and trailheads where you can rest and plan your meals.
You can't fully enjoy your visit to the Colorado River without planning a rafting excursion. Class II and III rapids are characterized by regular waves and wide channels perfect for beginners. You can even schedule a commercial floating or rafting experience for expert guidance. Experienced rafters should consider heading to Gore Canyon for an exciting Class IV and V rafting challenge.
The two most prominent local Bureau of Land Management campgrounds are at the Pumphouse Recreation Site and the Radium Recreation Site. The campsites at Pumphouse Campground come with picnic tables and fire grills. There are also two group sites and four accessible vault toilets. The Radium Campground offers ample parking, three accessible vault toilets, and nine standard campsites that allow up to 10 people. The best times to visit are is in the summer and fall when the water level has evened out. Expect to pay $10 a night at Pumphouse and $6 a night at Radium. A season pass is $20. While these BLM campsites offer exceptional RV camping experiences, they don't provide modern hookups or amenities. While searching for BLM camping near me, keep an eye out for Red Mountain RV Park in Kremmling. This facility offers large pull-through sites and full RV hookups. They also have a dump station, playground, laundry facility and showers. Wolford Campground & Marina offers fossil finding, ATV trails, river rafting experiences and backpacking excursions. Consider cashing in on their unlimited northern pike bounty rewards. Anglers receive $20 for every one of these fish that they catch.
Head downstream from the Pumphouse Recreation Site to find an abundance of Bureau of Land Management free camping spots. These sites allow you to camp out under the stars and enjoy the natural beauty of the Colorado River. It is not guaranteed that you'll get the site you want. These sites can't be reserved ahead of time and may not be equipped with basic amenities like tables or fire rings.
If you plan to spend a lot of time around the Colorado River, be sure to bring plenty of insect repellent and sunscreen. Wear loose, breathable clothes that quickly dry out as you move around. Travel with friends to maximize your fun and overall safety. It's best to thoroughly check your skin and clothes at least once a day for ticks. If you've never rafted before, consider booking a guided excursion to learn the basics before trying it yourself. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
All dispersed camping should be on solid ground or sandbars. Minimize your local impact by staying away from pristine areas. If necessary, you can bury human waste in an 8-inch hole at least 200 feet away from any water source. When bringing pets on your camping adventure, make sure they're leash trained. Keep them away from other campers and local wildlife. As always, practice the "Leave No Trace" guidelines throughout your stay.
From Kremmling, drive south on Highway 9 for about 1 mile. Turn west on Grand County 1 (Trough Road) and drive another 10 miles. Then turn right onto the site's access road. Address: 2103 E. Park Avenue, Kremmling, CO 80459 Ready to visit the Pumphouse Recreation Site? 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 exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night, where you’ll enjoy 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.
