What activities are available at Blacktail Creek?

Blacktail Creek offers Camping, Picnicking, Bird Watching, Hiking, Dog Walking.

What amenities does Blacktail Creek have?

Blacktail Creek has Vault Toilets, Picnic Areas, Parking, Camping Sites, Potable Water.

Where is Blacktail Creek located?

Blacktail Creek is located in Grand County, Colorado.

Is a permit required at Blacktail Creek?

Permit information is not currently available. Check with the managing agency for current requirements.

Blacktail Creek

lake

Grand County, Colorado

4.3(16 reviews)

About Blacktail Creek

Blacktail Creek Campground sits at roughly 9,000 feet along Highway 134 near Gore Pass in Grand County, offering a small, peaceful retreat between Kremmling and Yampa. While this is a campground rather than a traditional lake destination, the creek and surrounding meadow create a serene mountain setting that keeps campers coming back season after season. Managed by the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Blacktail Creek has eight to ten first-come, first-served sites tucked into an aspen grove overlooking a grassy meadow where deer roam at dusk and moose occasionally browse.

The campground works best for tent campers and those with small trailers under 18 feet, though at least one pull-through site can handle a larger RV. Each site comes with a synthetic picnic table and a fire pit with an adjustable grill. The one-way loop road provides wide enough turns for easy navigation, and the overall spacing between sites keeps things private even on a busy weekend. A pair of clean vault toilets sit near the center of the loop, and a hand-pump well delivers cold, clear potable water. There is no electric hookup or dump station, so come prepared for off-grid camping.

Fall is the standout season at Blacktail Creek. The aspen trees surrounding the campground turn brilliant gold in late September, and the leaf-peeping crowds that swarm more popular areas tend to skip this quieter spot. Summer brings wildflowers to the meadow and pleasant daytime temperatures, though nights at 9,000 feet drop quickly. The campground typically opens in late spring and closes after the first heavy snowfall, though the exact dates depend on conditions.

Camping fees are modest. Visitors with a senior pass pay $5 per night, while standard rates run around $10 per night with an additional $5 charge per extra vehicle. Dumpsters near the entrance handle trash, and bear-proof bins are provided because this is active bear and moose country. Store food properly and keep a clean camp.

Blacktail Creek Campground works well as a weekend getaway or a convenient overnight stop for travelers crossing Gore Pass. The setting is quiet enough that road noise from Highway 134, about a quarter mile away, barely registers. There are no developed trails or fishing access within the campground itself, so the real draw here is the simple pleasure of a campfire under the stars in a well-maintained forest service campground that has not been overrun by crowds. Off-road exploration on nearby forest roads adds another dimension for visitors with capable vehicles.

Reviews (10)

Todd Hudson

Primitive , stayed 1 night while passing through the area ,1 other site was taken, off the beaten path ,I enjoyed my stay

Theresa Keller

This campsite was so cute! Like many of the previous reviews said the sites were pretty overgrown but we felt that it added to the charm of the campground. There were beautiful wildflowers that were in the long grass. There was sadly very little shade in all 8 sites. And there was not much to do other than explore some off roading roads. The site cost 10 dollars a night and is first come first serve. There was a bathroom as well as bear safe trash bins. But it’s the perfect weekend getaway for anyone looking to spend a weekend in the mountains!

Ed Anderson

Great campground, very quite.

Jess Cumbee

We did not stay there we simply rode through but it's very well laid out and nice

Paul Sorokaty (SlyAttacks)

It’s a campground.

Brenda Cleveland

Beautiful we had the whole place to ourselves. Chipmunks galore, deer roaming the meadow ready to go again.

Toni Vetrone

Camped over night on Saturday before Labor Day. There are 10 sites, mostly for tents or small campers. Site#2 was a pull through large enough for our 33' Winnie. Nice synthetic picnic table and fire pit with adjustable grill. We were 75 ft from the clean, stocked double restrooms. Maybe a 100 yards from the dumpsters. The loop is one way with plenty wide turns. There was a well with hand pump and clear cold water. No electric or dump station. We paid $5 with our senior pass. Another couple from Arkansas arrived towards evening, tent campers. Several cars pulled through to use the restroom and the Forest Service (?) came through Sunday morning to dump garbage. Overall very peaceful for a Saturday night. The campground overlooks a meadow and Blacktail Creek, mostly Aspen, not much beetle kill in sight. Campground is about a quarter mile from 134 so road noise is minimal. Not much to do within the campground, no trails, fishing etc so things would be pretty peaceful until hunting season I suppose. Overall one of the nicest"remote" campground within 40 miles of our home

Lilvia Bradbury

Small, well maintained campground near Gore Pass. Beautiful spot to camp, especially during leaf change in the fall. Sites were $10/night which included one car, plus an additional $5 per extra car. Each site had a campfire ring. Site sizes are ideal for tents and small campers. The sites were pretty well spaced so it didn't feel like you were too close to other campers. A pit potty was easily accessible from each camping site (and it didn't smell!) and there were dumpsters for trash.

Elijah 'Eagle' Lewis

Gorgeous!

Wendy Homstad

Lovely little campground near Gore Pass. No rv hook up, first come first served (only 8 - 9 spots), potable water available, outhouse, and dumpster. Active bear and moose area, so be cautious.