South Rim Campground

Dutch Woman

**This is a review of the campground only** Family of 4 adults who recently stayed at this campground for 5 nights, in order to see and explore the Black Canyon. We were in loop B, which is the only loop with shore power and has only 23 sites. I did not see any power poles in loop A (34 sites) & loop C (32 sites). My only gripe with our site (#B11) was that there was a large bush with overhanging branches near the picnic table, so we could not put up our gazebo over the table. Also, the fire pit did not seem to have been cleared out in a while as it was full of ash. We knew this is a fairly primitive campground as it only has vault/pit toilets (non-flush), which also do not have sinks with running water. Each loop has 2 small vault toilet outhouses. In loop B, they were, surprisingly, not foul-smelling and relatively clean, albeit a bit old. Each outhouse has a hand sanitizer unit, a light with a timer switch, a deodorizer unit, and even a small infrared heater on the wall. There are no sites with water or sewage hook-up for RVs with flush toilets and showers, and consequently there is no dump station to empty your black & gray water tanks. In fact, potable water for drinking and some limited washing, is only available during the high camping season. There's one pump or water station per loop. Most sites are gravel and sand/dirt-based and most RV sites also have a raised area to pitch a tent. In loop B, at many RV sites you just park your RV in a space next to the road, but there are several pull-through sites as well. B11 is pull-through and affords a bit privacy due to a large bush in front. Each loop also has one or two ADA sites, which are paved, and close to the vault toilets. The road through each loop is fairly narrow, so take that into account if you have a very large RV or motorhome. Special metal bear boxes are available throughout each loop to store your food (for tents and pop-up campers), and all trash/recycling cans as well as dumpsters have bear-safe locks. Apparently, there are black bears in the area (didn't see any) that may come into the campground. All in all, it's a simple, well-kept campground, but fairly remote. There is no camp store, and if you need groceries or want to eat out, you'll have to go into the town of Montrose. We did not experience unruly campers and it was mostly quiet. South Rim Road runs next to the campground, so you'll hear cars passing by during the day. From the campground, you can easily access some hiking trails that take you to the main draw, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison River). If you're not up to hiking, you can easily access South Rim Road to drive (or bike, in our case) to a number of view points, which afford different and amazing views of the Black Canyon.

Kristen Green

We stayed at site B18 over memorial weekend. We had a great time. Sites are close together. There was no bear box at our site. We were greeted often by a Mangrove Warbler bird, he had a nest close by. Deer were active around the campground. Pit toilets were clean and a little walk from out site. Amazing stars and views

Ethan B-L

The campground isn't really the draw here, it's the canyon. This is fine, but with only one water spigot per loop, pit toilets, no hookups, it's only going to be enjoyable for those who can do without such things for a day or two. Definitely worth it, to me.

Peter Hey (RV PLANET)

A typical national park system campground. The sites are well developed, but no electricity or sewage offered. Bathrooms have toilets and running water, but no showers. This campground does not have a dump station either, so you should plan carefully your water containers and use. But, as with all the other national parks, this place is so special, that having a campground is a very welcome opportunity to stay.

Katie Prue

Stop at the corner store when you turn off 50W for firewood! The campground is pretty remote, and you won’t have cell service or much else. Pit toilets, but they’re clean and stocked with TP and hand sanitizer. We stayed in B7 with a tent and it was great. The gravel was a little rough so I do wish I had a larger footprint under the tent. The sites are close together, but we weren’t bothered by anyone else’s noise and there are enough trees and plants to make a barrier. We saw some deer and tons of chipmunks. The visitors center is close, and there are tons of good trails and drives nearby.