The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Upper Beaver Creek Recreation Site near Montrose, Colorado provides access to the San Miguel River for whitewater rafters who want to paddle on Class II and III rapids. This site is also terrific for a picnic overlooking the river, and picnic tables are available. The site is along the Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway in Southwest Colorado. This site near Montrose, Colorado is about 263 miles southwest of Rocky Mountain National Park, and it is very close to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
You can boondock at Upper Beaver Creek, allowing you to freely explore this area for up to 14 days. There are also Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in this area, which some deem some of the most beautiful and rugged lands in the United States. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds usually offer minimal services. Explore "BLM camping near me", whenever you travel to Alaska or across the Western United States.
To hike this backcountry trail, you need a permit that you can obtain from the office at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This trail begins near the south rim of the canyon near Curecanti National Recreation Area. This trail is challenging because of the steep grades along it. It is best hiked in the summer months.
Length:1.2 miles
Intensity: Strenuous
This trail starts near Campground Loop C at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and it ends at the South Rim Visitor Center after following the south rim at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. You will love seeing the sagebrush, Gambel oak, pinyon pines and Utah juniper trees along this trail. There is very little shade, so bring water with you. This trail has minimal elevation changes.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Easy
The North Vista Trail often offers some of the best opportunities to see birds at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. This trail starts at the North Ranger Station. You will love the views of the inner canyon along this route. While there is a turn-around at about 1.5 miles, you can also continue to climb Exclamation Point, which provides outstanding views of the San Juan Mountains and surrounding area.
Length: 7 miles
Intensity: Moderate
State officials have declared the Gunnison River a Gold Medal Water & Wild Trout Water for the abundance of large brown trout anglers catch there. There are unique fishing regulations, including that you cannot use live bait. You must have a Colorado fishing license and cannot keep more than four trout per day.
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a terrific place to climb, with over 145 named routes. Most climbers opt to climb in the North and South Chasm Walls areas, where the canyon is approximately 1,820 feet deep. Use the whiteboard at the North Rangers Station to find out which routes are open because many close from March 15 to July 15 to protect nesting raptors, and you will need a climbing permit from this location.
The San Miguel River Tabeguache Preserve is a great place to spot wildlife. This is a fantastic place to spot bald eagles during the winter months. Look near the river's banks, and you may see beavers and river otters building their homes. You may see mountain lions and black bears as you hike along the trails.
Ridgway State Park is a fantastic place for a picnic. You will love the mountain scenery at this location, nicknamed the Swiss Alps of America. Two large picnic shelters plus numerous smaller picnic areas are available. USA Today has named the campground at this state park one of the top 10 in America.
You will not find a campground at Upper Beaver Creek, but you can find terrific options for RV camping nearby. One fantastic choice is Ridgway State Park, which has over 250 sites. This park features a reservoir with boat docks and many miles of hiking trails. There are two campgrounds at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Both campgrounds have a 13-day limit, and electricity is only available at one of the three loops at South Rim Campground.
You can boondock at Upper Beaver Creek. Another fantastic Bureau of Land Management free camping option to consider is Cottonwood Grove Campground. This campground near Montrose features picnic tables and vault toilets. Camping is free, but there is a seven-day limit. Another fantastic option is Ledges Rockhouse Campground. This Bureau of Land Management camping facility near Nucia, Colorado offers 12 RV sites along the river.
Upper Beaver Creek Recreation Area is near the San Miguel River and Tabeguache Creek confluence. It is in a floodplain, so if you plan on visiting this location, you should check the weather before starting your adventure. Storms that can form rapidly are most likely to occur during the spring and summer. It is better to leave an area than to get trapped by flood waters. Additionally, the roads into Upper Beaver Creek Recreation Area may become impassable if heavy rain falls quickly.
This is a beautiful place to go on a boondocking adventure, or you can consider staying at one of the nearby BLM RV camping sites. Either way, you will make beautiful memories of time spent in nature. Before you leave on your fantastic camping trip, take a minute and read more about BLM camping.
This area is especially known for its pristine waters, and you can help to keep them that way by cleaning up after yourself. Any trash from Upper Beaver Creek has the potential to make its way downstream. Meanwhile, it can hurt numerous wildlife along the way and ruin the area's scenic beauty. Therefore, you should appreciate the chance you have been given to visit this gorgeous area by cleaning up after yourself.
If you are traveling through Colorado on Interstate 70, take the Colorado Highway 141 exit and head west. This becomes the Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway. Turn left on Colorado Highway 145 and go 9.5 miles. After you cross Specie Creek, the site will be on your left.
Address: Upper Beaver Creek, Colorado Highway 145, Montrose, Colorado 81401
Ready to visit Upper Beaver Creek?
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.
