Colorado · Camping

Splains Gulch Camping Area

Jun–Aug
best months

Is Splains Gulch Camping Area open right now?

Road closed

Gunnison County Road 12: road closure is listed as closed by CDOT 511.

As of · Source: CDOT 511. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 9,712 ftHigh camp: expect cold nights, even in summer
  • Gunnison Ranger DistrictGrand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

Splains Gulch Camping Area is a Forest Service campground in the Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests in Colorado. It sits within the national forest's boundaries, and the Forest Service manages the land. No fees are required to use the site, which makes it an accessible base for exploring the surrounding area. The nearest town is Crested Butte, about 5 miles away, and the camping area is close to several other outdoor destinations. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Crested Butte weather station show July highs around 76°F with lows near 40°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s and low 30s. Lily Lake and the Kebler Wagon Trail Spur are both about a mile away, and Kebler Pass Camping Area is also within a mile. Lake Irwin is about 2.6 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Splains Gulch Camping Area

    Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      26° / -7°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      29° / -2°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      38° / 7°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      47° / 19°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 28°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 34°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 40°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 38°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 31°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 22°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 9°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / -4°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Crested Butte, CO, 5.3 mi away at 8,867 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more campsites worth the drive

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Lake Irwin

~4 min drive

Campsite WG 11Photo: Sheila Sund from Salem, United States, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Campsite WG 11

~11 min drive

Colorado campsite for mountain recreation and outdoor exploration.

Campsite WG 38Photo: Sheila Sund from Salem, United States, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Campsite WG 38

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Campsites WG 42Photo: Sheila Sund from Salem, United States, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Campsites WG 42

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Rustic Colorado backcountry camping on a first-come, first-served basis.

Campsite WG 46Photo: Sheila Sund from Salem, United States, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Campsite WG 46

~11 min drive

Colorado campsite for outdoor recreation access.

Campsite WG 45Photo: Sheila Sund from Salem, United States, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Campsite WG 45

~11 min drive

Colorado campsite for outdoor recreation access.

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Kebler Pass Camping Area

~2 min drive

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Oh Be Joyful Campground

~8 min drive

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Oh Be Joyful Recreation Area

~8 min drive

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Campsites WG 12-20

~10 min drive

Colorado campground cluster offering individual sites for outdoor recreation access.