Upper South Canyon Campsite campground
Upper South Canyon Campsite
The campsite is situated near several points of interest, including the Westwater Ranger Station, which offers information about the area and its history. Visitors can also explore nearby hiking trails, which provide breathtaking views of the surrounding canyon. The nearby Colorado River offers opportunities for rafting and kayaking, making this a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
The campsite amenities are basic, with no running water or facilities. Visitors must bring their own water and pack out all trash. The lack of amenities adds to the rustic feel of the area and allows visitors to truly disconnect and immerse themselves in nature.
Interesting facts about the area include its significance to the Ute and Paiute tribes, who used the land for hunting and gathering. The area was also used as a transportation route for early settlers and miners, who would travel along the Colorado River to reach their destination.
The best time of year to visit the Upper South Canyon Campsite is from April to October, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-80s. Visitors should be aware of the potential for extreme weather conditions and plan accordingly.
Overall, the Upper South Canyon Campsite offers a unique and remote camping experience for those seeking to explore the rugged and beautiful terrain of the Westwater Canyon watershed.
What's on-site at Upper South Canyon Campsite
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 Upper South Canyon Campsite, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower South Canyon Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| South Canyon Group Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Lower South Canyon Group Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| South Canyon Reservoir | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Pr Spring Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Upper South Canyon Campsite -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 3,820 cfs | → |
| White River Near Watson | 760 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cisco | 4,040 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Cisco | 203 cfs | → |
| Corral Gulch Near Rangely | 0 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction | 1,060 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Upper South Canyon Campsite -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Willow Creek | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| East Willow Creek | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Glade Park | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Grand Junction 4.0 W | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Redlands 1.4 Sse | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Grand Junction 3.6 W | 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
- Highline Lake State Park
- Mcinnis Canyons National Conservation Area
- Wilderness Black Ridge Canyons
- Mcinnis Canyons National Conservation
Fishing spots
- Mack Mesa Lake
- Highline Lake
- Mack Mesa Reservoir
- Fruita Reservoir Number 2
- Connected Lakes
- Dolores River
Points of interest
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 Upper South Canyon Campsite as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Upper South Canyon Campsite
Can I make reservations at Upper South Canyon Campsite?
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 Upper South Canyon Campsite?
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 Upper South Canyon Campsite.