Mill Creek Campground (CO)
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. 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.
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.
Need to Know
Thirteen campsites at Mill Creek Campground are RESERVABLE, the remaining nine sites available FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE
Maintained gravel road to campground, beyond campground 4X4 recommended
Potable water is available at a hand pump
Be bear aware, keep a clean campsite, use bear boxes
Campground is located at high elevation, drink water and use sunscreen
Be aware of variable weather and summer thunderstorms
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.
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.
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.
Contact Information
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: (970) 642-4953
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Lake Highway, take highway 149 south for about 2 miles. Turn right onto County Road 30 and continue for about 10.5 miles. Mill Creek Campground is on the left, over the bridge.
Available Campsites
- Site 16, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 8, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 9, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 2, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 4, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 20, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 5, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 7, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 6, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 1, Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
