What amenities does Buckeye Reservoir have?

Buckeye Reservoir has Camping Sites, Vault Toilets, Picnic Areas, Boat Ramp, Parking.

Where is Buckeye Reservoir located?

Buckeye Reservoir is located in Montrose County, Colorado.

Is a permit required at Buckeye Reservoir?

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

Buckeye Reservoir

reservoir

Montrose County, Colorado

4.3(17 reviews)

About Buckeye Reservoir

Buckeye Reservoir is a peaceful, off-the-grid camping and fishing destination in western Montrose County, tucked into a valley of mature Ponderosa pines at 7,600 feet elevation. Part of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, this reservoir sits along the Rimrocker Trail corridor between Montrose and Moab, making it a natural stopover for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts and overlanders exploring the rugged backcountry of western Colorado. If you want solitude, wide-open campsites, and starlit skies without crowds, Buckeye delivers.

The Buckeye Recreation Area offers two distinct camping experiences. Pioneer Campground provides 30 reservable single-family campsites with graveled parking spurs, concrete picnic tables, fire rings, and access to well-maintained vault toilets. Surrounding the reservoir, 18 dispersed camping sites offer a more rustic experience while still providing vault toilets and concrete fire rings. A reservable group site and a day-use picnic area round out the facilities. Visitors consistently praise the cleanliness of the vault toilets and the generous spacing between campsites, which gives each site a feeling of genuine privacy.

Fishing at Buckeye Reservoir depends heavily on water levels, which fluctuate from year to year. When the reservoir holds water, Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks it annually with rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout, and anglers report decent catches from the shoreline. A small boat ramp accommodates boats with a 5-horsepower motor limit and wakeless speed requirement. A valid Colorado fishing license is required. Water levels have been unpredictable in recent years, so check current conditions before planning a fishing-focused trip.

The surrounding landscape offers excellent wildlife viewing, including bald eagles, mule deer, and elk. The La Sal Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, and the Ponderosa pine forest creates a pleasant, shaded environment even during warm summer months. Fall visits in September and October bring cooler temperatures, fewer bugs, and golden foliage. Be aware that the drive to Buckeye requires navigating unpaved forest roads. Do not rely solely on GPS navigation, as some mapping apps route visitors onto private property or locked gates. Follow the directions posted on the Forest Service website or Recreation.gov to avoid getting lost. There is no potable water at the campground, so bring everything you need.

Reviews (10)

Evan Haworth

We were there in October. Quiet and no bugs. Eagles, deer, and cows that lost her babies. Good time. Will be back.

Florida Sunshine

This is a great place to camp out if you're doing the Rimrocker Trail. We were going from Montrose to Moab. We actually stayed at the boat ramp. They have four campsites in that location. It doesn't look like the boat ramp gets used much and there was no one there. It was so peaceful and listening to the cows in the morning brought a smile to my face. Dog owners: This is a national forest. You TAKE out what you bring in. That includes your dog's poo. Stop being irresponsible.

Matt Ware

I camped at Buckeye recently. What a great time! We had our choice of campsites and the area was incredibly quiet. Lots of bathrooms as well. As of early September 2024 there is water in the reservoir.

Robert Boyle

It's a nice campground, but the lake is empty. Climate change impacting Western Colorado for sure.

Lesley Kelly

Lovely area with lots of Ponderosa trees. Bathrooms are kept super clean, as us the whole campground. The camp host, Rez, was so very kind and helpful. I had gotten a screw in my tire and he repaired my tire and aired it up right there at his site! What a guy!!

Marc Malsam

After driving 8 miles of off-road you arrive at the dry Buckeye reservoir. I mean it doesn't have any water. My wife made the reservation for one night and she said no water, thinking she was referring to drinking water, but it was referring that there was no water in the reservoir and also drinking water. very, very quiet. clean toilets and too many of cows 🐄.

Chris H

The 18 dispersed sites around the reservoir are spread out where you almost feel like you are alone. We went on Memorial Day weekend and barely seen any other people. The bathroom were exceptionally clean for pit camp bathrooms. We did get bit by bugs. The weather was cool in the mornings and nice during the day.

Marshal VanHook

Good, clean campsites. Pretty quiet.

Tanisha Askee

I love going here every year with my family! Water is nice campground is always well maintained! Love love love this place!!

Laura Traver

Clean bathrooms. Wonderful location. I went when the reservoir was VERY full, up to the point of the water coming past the fence posts around the campground. There were bugs, but none of them biting. It was cool, but we even went for a swim. The water was SO clear I could see my feet the whole time. Not much on the fish for fishing, but we talked with the forest workers and they said the water was REALLY low over the past fall, so not many of the fish survived through winter. I highly recommend both the campground and the "dispersed" camping locations for camping here. Even the "dispersed" areas had bathrooms and concrete fire rings, so keep that in mind if you are looking for true dispersed.