Mill Creek Campground (CO)

Photo · BLM

Not publishedStatus

ReservableAccess

31Sites

50 ftMax rig

The place

Mill Creek Campground is located 14 miles southwest of Lake City, Colorado at 9,500 feet above sea level. Nestled along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, the campground offers a fishing access trail for anglers and river access (though boating is not recommended from this location). The campground is surrounded by the Redcloud Peak and Handies Peak Wilderness Study Areas with world class hiking opportunities just a short drive away, including trails to three 14,000-foot peaks. Keep reading

From the campground, licensed OHV's and high clearance 4-wheel-drive vehicles can access the legendary Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway; a rugged 65 mile road system that connects the towns of Lake City, Silverton, and Ouray through the spectacular mountain scenery of the San Juan Mountains. The campground is accessible June through September. Recreation Mill Creek Campground is an ideal base camp for exploring the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway and the majestic San Juan Mountains. Whether you like to ride an off-highway vehicle, fly fish the Lake Fork, learn about the area's hardrock mining history, or challenge yourself to hike one of the 14,000-foot peaks, this area has something for everyone. There are also opportunities for viewing wildlife, seasonal wildflowers, and fishing the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River or nearby Lake San Cristobal. Facilities Mill Creek Campground has 22 campsites suitable for tent camping and medium sized RV's. Each campsite is limited to eight people and two vehicles. Each campsite features a metal fire ring with a cooking grate, a picnic table, and a bear-proof food storage box. Mill Creek Campground has vault restrooms, hand pumps for potable water, and bear-proof trash dumpsters on site. No electric or hookups are available at Mill Creek Campground. Campground hosts are available from June through early September. Natural Features Mill Creek offers shaded campsites among a mixed spruce/fir and aspen forest with magnificent mountain views of some of the highest peaks in Colorado and the sounds of the nearby Mill Creek and the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (970) 642-4940. Nearby Attractions Enjoy Lake City, nestled in the valley of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and Henson Creek, not only for shopping but to take in the impressive Hinsdale County Museum that celebrates the residents of past and present and tells of the rich railway history of the rail line that went to Lake City from 1889 to 1933. A variety of tours are also available including learning about the momental volcano that formed Lake City. Lake City also is a Gateway Community for hiking the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) that traverses 800 miles of majestic and challenging peaks dotted with abandoned homesteads, ghost towns, and remnants of Native Americans and settlers who flocked here to mine gold and silver. Other shorter hikes from town can lead to some wonderful waterfalls. Discover Lake San Cristobal, the second largest natural lake in Colorado that was formed by the Slumgullion Earthflow that slid 700 years ago, damming the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. The lake offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities including boating and fishing and much more. Charges & Cancellations Reservations cannot be modified less than 72 hours prior to reservation start date. Only 2 modifications can be made to a 180-day advanced reservations sites. Reservation cancellations occurring less than 72 hours prior to reservation start date are subject to NO REFUND .

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 31

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric
A	1	standard nonelectric	50 ft	—
A	10	standard nonelectric	43 ft	—
A	11	standard nonelectric	31 ft	—
A	12	standard nonelectric	48 ft	—
A	13	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
A	14	standard nonelectric	40 ft	—
A	15	standard nonelectric	26 ft	—
A	16	standard nonelectric	35 ft	—
A	17	standard nonelectric	45 ft	—
A	18	standard nonelectric	41 ft	—
A	19	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—
A	2	standard nonelectric	25 ft	—
A	20	standard nonelectric	28 ft	—
A	21	standard nonelectric	28 ft	—
A	22	standard nonelectric	43 ft	—
A	3	standard nonelectric	33 ft	—
A	4	standard nonelectric	34 ft	—
A	5	standard nonelectric	36 ft	—
A	6	standard nonelectric	21 ft	—
A	7	standard nonelectric	29 ft	—
A	8	standard nonelectric	39 ft	—
A	9	standard nonelectric	37 ft	—
Tent Loop	23	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—
Tent Loop	24	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—
Tent Loop	25	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—
Tent Loop	26	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—
Tent Loop	27	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—
Tent Loop	28	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—
Tent Loop	29	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—
Tent Loop	30	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—
Tent Loop	31	standard nonelectric	18 ft	—

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Fees

At Mill Creek Campground thirteen sites are RESERVABLE up to 180-days in advance during peak season, Memorial Day through September 30th. The remaining nine sites are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED with camp fee paid on site with cash or check. Sites cost$20 per night. Please pay with cash or check in the fee envelope at the campground for FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED sites.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Your representative

This campground sits in CO-03. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard