South Rim Campground campground
South Rim Campground
Reservations are highly recommended at the South Rim Campground as it can get quite busy, especially during the peak season. Campers can make reservations up to six months in advance, ensuring a spot in this popular camping area. The best time to visit the South Rim Campground is during the summer months, from May to September, when the weather is pleasant and allows for various outdoor activities.
Exploring the awe-inspiring Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is a must-do while camping here. With its steep cliffs, rugged terrain, and stunning vistas, it offers outstanding hiking trails and opportunities for wildlife spotting. However, it is crucial to be cautious and stay within designated areas, as the canyon's edges can be dangerous and treacherous. Additionally, campers should come prepared with insect repellent to ward off mosquitoes, as they can be quite prevalent in this region. Overall, the South Rim Campground provides a fantastic camping experience amidst the beauty of Colorado's nature.
What's on-site at South Rim Campground
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of South Rim Campground, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Rim - Gunnison National Park | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| East Portal Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| East Portal - Curecanti National Rec Area | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| North Rim - Gunnison National Park | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| North Rim Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of South Rim Campground -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gunnison River Below Gunnison Tunnel | 303 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Bl Squaw Creek | 42 cfs | → |
| Smith Fork Near Lazear | 1 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River At Colona | 83 cfs | → |
| N.F. Gunnison R Blw Leroux Cr | 643 cfs | → |
| North Fk Gunnison River Above Mouth Nr Lazear | 594 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of South Rim Campground -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Canyon Of The Gunnison | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Montrose 7.3 Ene | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Montrose 1.6 E | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Montrose 4.0 Nw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Colona 4nw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Montrose 6.3 Wsw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Wilderness Black Canyon Of The Gunnison
- Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area
- Centennial Plaza
- Rainbow Meadows
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
- Olathe Community Park
Boat launches
- Chukar Boat Ramp
- Delta County
- Gunnison Forks
- South River Road Delta County
- Orchard Boat Launch
- Shea Road Delta County
Fishing spots
- Crystal Reservoir
- Gould Reservoir
- Crawford Reservoir
- Chipeta Lakes Swa
- Morrow Point Reservoir
- Beaver Lake Day Use Area/ Fishing Site
Points of interest
- Astronomy Program
- South Rim Visitor Center
- Cimarron Visitor Center
- Morrow Point Boat Tour
- Eagle Rock Shelter Archaeological Site
- Gateview Sign
Paddle runs
- Gunnison Gorge
- The Southern Boundary Of The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument To The Painted Wall
- The Painted Wall To The Black Canyon Gunnison National Monument-Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Boundary
- Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Morrow Point Reservoir
- Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary To High Water Line Of Blue Mesa Reservoir
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save South Rim Campground as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About South Rim Campground
Can I make reservations at South Rim Campground?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to South Rim Campground?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of South Rim Campground.