Oh Be Joyful Campground

Gunnison

Approximately 5 miles from Crested Butte, Colorado, Oh Be Joyful Campground is a 30-unit campground along the Slate River. The campground itself gets its name from nearby Oh Be Joyful Creek that features massive waterfalls and colorful wildflowers in the summer months. The campground is located at approximately 9,000 feet in elevation and the views are spectacular.  

This 30-unit campground was recently renovated and has 14 RV campsites, 15 walk-in tent campsites, one walk-in group campsite and 3 vault restrooms. This campground is normally full and not available unless you have a reservation. Each campsite has a parking space, metal fire ring, picnic table, tent pad and bear proof food storage locker. Drinking water, electric hook-ups and trash service are not available at Oh Be Joyful so bring your own water and plan to take your own trash with you when you leave.   

Parking is available for day use visitors who come to Oh Be Joyful to hike, play in the water, picnic, etc.   

The access road (BLM Road 3220) into Oh Be Joyful Campground is steep and can be rough. The campground can accommodate RVs but the rough road down to the campground may not be suitable for larger low clearance rigs.  

Need to Know

• • Check-in time is after 2:00 p.m. on the first day of the reservation.
  • Check-out time is prior to 2:00 p.m. on the last day of the reservation. 
  • If the reservation holder doesn't show up on the first day of the reservation, the campsite is released at check-in time (2 pm) the next day.
  • There are no hookup services, no trash collection services and no potable water.
  • Bring your own drinking water.
  • Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
  • Fires are only allowed in BLM approved metal fire rings.
  • Campsites are limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site. 
  • Only 1 RV/trailer per RV campsite.
  • No RV/trailer camping allowed in tent campsites.
  • No RVs or camper trailers are allowed to park in parking spaces for walk-in tent campsites. These campsites and associated parking are for tent camping only. This applies to campsties 7-10 and 20-28.
  • No overnight RV/trailer camping in day use parking areas.
  • Dogs must be on leash.
  • Food should be stored in the bear proof food storage lockers provided.  
  • This is a high elevation campground. Be prepared to take cover during afternoon thunderstorms.  
  • Water levels will rise during spring run-off causing dangerous swift water. Be careful. Use caution along the riverbank.
  • Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Natural Features

The campground sits directly on the east bank of the Slate River and is nestled in a valley with mountains on either side of the valley. Due to the abundance of moisture in the spring and early summer, wildflowers are abundant. Look for our State flower the Columbine and other species including Indian Paintbrush and Avalanche Lilies.

Nearby Attractions

Recreation

This premier area is known for camping, fishing, horseback riding, sight-seeing, hiking/walking, water play, kayaking, mountain biking, wildflower viewing, and motorized recreational uses. A foot bridge allows visitors to access the west side of the Slate River to hike along Oh Be Joyful Creek and into the Raggeds Wilderness.

Contact Information

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 970-642-4940

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From the town of Crested Butte, drive north on Gothic Road. (County road 317) towards Mount Crested Butte. Cross the Slate River and turn left on Slate River Road (County Road 734). Follow this up the valley for approximately 5 miles to BLM Road 3220. Turn left onto BLM Road 3220 and continue for approximately 0.3 miles to a Oh Be Joyful Campground. BLM Road 3220 is steep and rough, low clearance vehicles and larger RVs may want to scout the road before driving down to the campground.   

Available Campsites

• Site 17, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 4, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 23, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To
• Site 28, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To
• Site 11, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 10, Loop Main Loop, Type Walk To
• Site 25, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To
• Site 21, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To
• Site 5, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 1, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 3, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 15, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 16, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 12, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 7, Loop Main Loop, Type Walk To
• Site 13, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 27, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To
• Site 24, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To
• Site 30, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To
• Site 22, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To
• Site 20, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To
• Site 29, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To
• Site 18, Loop Group Campsite, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
• Site 2, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 6, Loop Main Loop, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 9, Loop Main Loop, Type Walk To
• Site 19, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 8, Loop Main Loop, Type Walk To
• Site 26, Loop Oxbow Sites, Type Walk To

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