West Elk Ridge Camp campground
West Elk Ridge Camp
Nearby points of interest include the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, which offers hiking trails and scenic viewpoints of the deep canyon, and the town of Crawford, which is home to the Crawford State Park and the Needle Rock Natural Area.
The campground itself offers basic amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. There is no fee to camp at this site, and reservations are not required.
Interesting facts about the area include the presence of elk, deer, and other wildlife in the surrounding wilderness. Additionally, the West Elk Ridge Camp Campsite is located near the headwaters of the Gunnison River, which is a popular destination for fly-fishing.
The best time of year to visit this area is in the summer months, from June to August, when temperatures average in the mid-70s during the day and drop to the 40s at night. However, visitors should be prepared for changing weather conditions and sudden thunderstorms.
What's on-site at West Elk Ridge Camp
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 West Elk Ridge Camp, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Elk Area Campsite | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Tiki Mine Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Rifle Falls State Park | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Cedar Mountain Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Rifle Gap State Park | ✓ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of West Elk Ridge Camp -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Below Glenwood Springs | 3,010 cfs | → |
| Roaring Fork River At Glenwood Springs | 1,350 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 843 cfs | → |
| West Divide Creek Near Raven | 59 cfs | → |
| White River Above Coal Creek | 435 cfs | → |
| White River Near Meeker | 441 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of West Elk Ridge Camp -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rifle 3.2 Ene | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Glenwood Springs 7.0 Nw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Burro Mountain | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Burro Mountain | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Bison Lake | 17.0 in | -2.0 in | → |
| Bison Lake | 17.0 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
- Harvey Gap State Park
- Rifle Falls State Park
- Rifle Gap State Park
- Sister Lucy Downey Park
- Wilderness Flat Tops
- Two Rivers Park
Boat launches
Fishing spots
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
- Meadow Creek Lake
- Meadow Lake Picnic Area
- Deep Lake Fishing/Picnic Area Fishing Site
- Lake Avery
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 West Elk Ridge Camp as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About West Elk Ridge Camp
Can I make reservations at West Elk Ridge Camp?
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 West Elk Ridge Camp?
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 West Elk Ridge Camp.