Campground Regulations

East Portal Campground

NPS Photo

Follow regulations that apply to all campgrounds in Curecanti for a safe and enjoyable visit. More park regulations can be found in the Superintendent's Compendium.

Developed Campgrounds

Tent camping or the overnight occupancy within camper vehicles, such as pickup, coaches, trailers, and motorhomes is restricted to designated, developed campsites in the following areas:

• Elk Creek
• Red Creek
• Lake Fork
• Cimarron
• Gateview
• Dry Gulch
• Ponderosa
• Stevens Creek
• East Portal

Within the developed campgrounds, no more than two primary recreational camping units per site, (car, pickup, motorhome, van, pop-up trailer, in which people are sleeping).

Payment

For first come, first served campsites, payment must be made immediately after occupying the site and may be made at the campground entrance fee station. Please display your payment stub on the post in front of the site.

Group Size Limits

Maximum of eight people per site. In addition, if space allows, the following may also be at the site: tent(s), boat trailer(s), vehicles not used for sleeping.

Stay Limits

Elk Creek Campground
Camping is limited to a visit of 14 nights during a 30-day period in Loops A & D (reserved sites). All other sites (first come first serve) are limited to 30 consecutive days per visit.

Stevens Creek Campground
Camping is limited to a visit of 14 nights during a 30-day period in Loop A. All other sites are limited to 30 consecutive days per visit.

Lake Fork Campground
Camping is limited to 30 consecutive days per visit.

Cimarron, Dry Gulch, East Portal, Gateview, Red Creek, and Ponderosa campgrounds
Camping is limited to a maximum stay of 14 consecutive days within a 30-day period.

Campers reaching their consecutive days limits must move to another designated campground for a minimum of 14 days before returning to the same camp area. Registered sites must be occupied. “Occupied” implies the site has been used or slept in once within a 24-hour period.

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours are from 10pm to 6am. This includes generator use. Check-in and out time is 1pm.

Pet Regulations

Pets are required to be restrained by a leash, caged, crated or otherwise physically confined at all times. Unattended pets are not allowed. Bag all pet waste immediately.

Fires

Fires are only permitted in the fire grates provided. Building fire pits is prohibited. Unattended fires are not permitted. All fires must be extinguished before leaving the site.

Resource Protection

Bathing, or washing food, clothing, dishes or other property at public water outlets unless designated for such purposes is prohibited. Do not drain wastewater on ground. Catch water in a receptacle and empty at dump station or restroom.

Backcountry/Boat-In Camping

Backcountry camping is limited to a visit of 14 consecutive nights for a total of 30 days during the calendar year. Backcountry, boat, and boat-in camping are permitted in the following zones/areas:Blue Mesa Reservoir:

• Cebolla Arm

• Lake Fork Arm

• West Elk Arm

• Soap Creek Arm up to Saddle Creek. Camping on either side of the arm north of Saddle Creek is prohibited.

• Along the South shore and on Red Creek island except within ½ mile of any developed area, bridge maintained public road or backcountry campsite.

Overnight occupancy of vessels is permitted at rental slips at Elk Creek and Lake Fork marinas. The use of portable generators by visitors in the Marina areas is prohibited

Overnight boat camping is prohibited within the main channel of Iola, Cebolla and Sapinero basins, and within ½ mile from any developed area.

Use the map to determine permitted and prohibited backcountry/boat-in camping areas.