Camping at Curecanti

Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Curecanti.

We continued our Labor Day weekend camping tradition. Four years ago (2005), we camped at the Great Sand Dunes. In 2006, we visited the Alpine Tunnel and camped near Pitkin. We logged several Geocache site, too. In 2007, we returned to Sand Dunes, and drove into northern New Mexico. Last year, we backpacked to the fascinating Wheeler Geologic area.

This time, I wanted to car camp so I could get out of there if it rained. I wanted flush johns with running water. I wanted my food in an easy-access car, not tied in a tree. I wanted trees, shade, a hint of privacy.

Although Hubby and Daughter have both traveled from the Atlantic to the Pacific, neither had ever seen the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, a mere two hours away. But, where to stay?

Hermit's Rest, right on Morrow Point Reservoir sounds fabulous. Except it is three steep miles away from the car, and only has vault toilets.

Next!

East Portal, right below Crystal Dam has trees and a bit of privacy, since the campground only has 12 tent sites. RVs and trailers over 22 feet are banned from the steep windy access road. However, no flush johns.

Next!

Elk Creek and Lake Fork meet my restroom requirement, but are huge, open, treeless RV parking lots. Literally. The Lake Fork Campground is literally an asphalt parking lot.

Next!

21 sites. Some trees. Flush johns! Finally, I found my place, if only it still has openings when we arrive mid-afternoon. Cimarron. The Cimarron Campground is about half a mile away from the Gunnison River, just below Morrow Point Dam. Unfortunately, it's just off highway 50, and next to a steep hill, so the truck traffic was a bit annoying in the early evening. Not horrendous, just louder then my rural neighborhood.

We got a site with a great tree. Only seven groups stayed there our first night, and eight the second. The volunteer in the Cimarron visitor center said it's rarely even half full.

Another advantage of the Cimarron area is the Rio Grande Western train display. A stock and freight car are displayed next to the visitor center. A Baldwin 2-8-0 locomotive, Engine number 278, rests on a trestle across Cimarron Creek.

And the best part about the Cimarron Campground? It didn't rain!