Colorado · Camping

Washington Gulch Camping Area

Jun–Aug
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 15 h ago

Is Washington Gulch Camping Area open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Washington Gulch Camping Area, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

  • At 9,681 ftHigh camp: expect cold nights, even in summer
  • Gunnison Ranger DistrictGrand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests

Washington 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 among a cluster of named campsites and backcountry ski routes, with Washington Gulch Road and Campsites WG 12-20 both about 0.1 mile away. No fees are required to use the site, which makes it an accessible base for exploring the surrounding area. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Crested Butte weather station, which sits about 800 feet lower, show July highs around 76°F with lows near 40°F, while winter brings January highs in the mid-20s and lows below zero. Washington Gulch Road, a backcountry ski route, is right next door, and Oh-Be-Joyful Road, a cross-country ski route, is about 1.4 miles away. The Slate River, roughly 3 miles off, offers canoeing, and the Crested Butte climbing area is about 3.3 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Washington 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, 4.7 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

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

Campsite WG 11

Next door

Colorado campsite for mountain recreation and outdoor exploration.

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

Campsites WG 42

~1 min drive

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

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

Campsite WG 45

~2 min drive

Colorado campsite for outdoor recreation access.

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

Campsite WG 46

~2 min drive

Colorado campsite for outdoor recreation access.

Campsites GC 4-8Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Campsites GC 4-8

~6 min drive

Small, intimate Colorado campground cluster for quiet backcountry camping.

Campsites GC 13Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Campsites GC 13

~8 min drive

Colorado campground offering scenic outdoor camping in a natural setting.

BED

Lake Irwin

~10 min drive

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

Campsite WG 38

~1 min drive

Colorado campsite offering outdoor recreation access.

BED

Campsites WG 21-26

Next door

Campsites WG 21-26 is a campground in Colorado at about 9,663 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

BED

Campsites WG 12-20

Next door

Colorado campground cluster offering individual sites for outdoor recreation access.