Big Blue
Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. Big Blue is a National Forest campground near Lake City, Colorado.
First-come, first-served
- National Forest
- Managed by
Big Blue sits inside Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.
Getting a site
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Reservations
- None, first-come
- Fee
- Free
Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-30
What's there
- ✓ Toilets
- ✕ Potable water
On site: Toilets. No potable water.
Access and cell service
- Elevation
- 9,630 ft
38.2184, -107.3862 in Gunnison. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Common questions
Do you need a reservation at Big Blue?
No. Big Blue is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at Big Blue?
Camping at Big Blue is free.
Is there drinking water at Big Blue?
No. Big Blue has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
Who manages Big Blue?
Big Blue is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Around Big Blue
Silver Jack Reservoir's mapped center point is 8.5 miles from Big Blue in a straight line. Current water level: Silver Jack Reservoir water level on reservoirfinder.com.
Hot springs and waterfalls nearby
Nearest to Big Blue, in straight-line miles: Orvis Hot Springs (hot spring, 20 miles), Ouray Hot Springs (hot spring, 21 miles), Box Canyon Hot Springs (hot spring, 21 miles), and Bridal Veil Falls (waterfall, 29 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.
Alpine Ranger Station - Sites
- Not on record
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Not on record
- Sites
- Not on record
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Not on record
- Sites
- 45
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Single Site Non-Electric: $20 per night
Beaver Lake - Sites
- 11
- Season
- May 23 to Oct. 1
- Fee
- Single Site: $14 per night
More campgrounds: camping near Lake City and campgrounds in Gunnison.
Sources
- apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-30
- epqs.nationalmap.gov (elevationFt), accessed 2026-10-01