OutReserve

Sand Gulch Campground

Warning

General

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are now in effect, campfires are only allowed in an agency installed fire ring in a campground. Devices using gas are permitted.

Sand Gulch Campground Entrance
Campground
Sand Gulch Campground 2
Sand Gulch Kiosk
Campground Map

About Sand Gulch Campground

With easy walking access to sport rock climbing routes in the popular Shelf Road Recreation Area, Sand Gulch Campground is a 31-site camping facility, open year-round. The campground is located 14 miles north of Cañon City at an approximate elevation of 6,400 feet and features spectacular views of the surrounding limestone cliffs. 

Number of accommodations: 17

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Sites & Availability

17 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 1, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 10, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 11, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 12, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 13, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 14, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 15, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 2, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 3, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 4, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 5, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 6, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 7, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 8, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 9, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$20.00
/ per night
🚐 Group Site 1, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$40.00
/ per night
🚐 Group Site 2, Loop: Sand Gulch
Electric Only
$40.00
/ per night

Reviews (47)

What Guests Are Saying

Sand Gulch Campground is exceptionally clean, with well-maintained sites and friendly camp hosts. Visitors appreciate the privacy offered by the natural surroundings and the proximity to hiking and climbing trails. However, some concerns include the presence of cactus, limited shade, and the absence of potable water, which may be inconvenient during hot weather. Overall, it’s a beautiful and quiet location ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

Review Summary

3.9
47 reviews
5
46.8%
22
4
25.5%
12
3
8.5%
4
2
8.5%
4
1
10.6%
5

Blane H

Verified

April 1, 2026 Stayed at: 9, Loop: Sand Gulch

5

The campground was the cleanest I have ever experienced. The sites were level and the terrain between sites was groomed between the bushes. Restrooms were all clean all of the time. The camp host Jerry was very friendly and we talked to him several times. We cannot get back here soon enough!

Christine W

Verified

January 18, 2026 Stayed at: Group Site 1, Loop: Sand Gulch

5

Campground and bathrooms clean and well signed. What more can you ask for!

Maria E

Verified

May 12, 2025 Stayed at: 15, Loop: Sand Gulch

2

No place for a tent. Poor description on the website

Ariel Z

Verified

December 1, 2024 Stayed at: 14, Loop: Sand Gulch

5

The sites were nice, rent platform, nice picnic table, fire pit, ample parking. Refurbished Campground since my last visit, more bathrooms. Bathrooms were clean and ample toilet paper. Loved the walkability to climbing .

Kacey Y

Verified

September 7, 2024 Stayed at: 1, Loop: Sand Gulch

4

Nice campsite with vault toilet and fire pit. Only warning is that really strong toilet smells drift over to site 1 (and I’m sure others near it) so would recommend choosing a site farther away. Otherwise no complaints

Ryan B

Verified

August 2, 2024 Stayed at: 15, Loop: Sand Gulch

4

This campground is really nice in the 'rock climbing off season', it's practically empty and for the most part people are very respectful and quiet during quiet times (10pm). Royal Gorge is nearby and worth a visit if you've not gone. Sites 1-15 are 'brand new' this year (2024) and may show signs of newness and ideas/thoughts to make each spot better. Oh, also in the summer months, there is no camp host. So if you've got noisy neighbors or have a problem, you'll have to deal.

Here are my pros/cons.

Pros:
-The sites are new, and look really great.
-Excellent sense of privacy with trees all around.
-Bathrooms, while missing a sink/running water were clean and didn't smell even in 100F weather.
-The roads getting around are well marked and taken care of.
-For us, cell coverage was surprisingly well. 5 bars of 5G UC with TMobile.
-Dog friendly for sure!
-The trails nearby are really nice to walk along and offer some pretty good solitude moments of peace and quiet. Just know that the "sand gulch" trail and the "contest" trail is some sort of loop. Had a guy "sneak up" on us and scare the beans out of us!

Cons:
-Cactus, is EVERYWHERE. Small barrel cactus, and long sticky bush kind of cactus. It's just everywhere.
-Did I mention cactus? The field nearby is NOT suited for football/frisbee, as there is cactus everywhere.
-Boulders line every, single, road. Seriously, boulders larger than 4ft across and 3-4ft high are lining the road in the campgrounds.
-If you have a 30ft or larger, SPOT 15 IS NOT FOR YOU, unless you're an absolute pro at backing in. It will fit, but the boulders on each side of you will present a significant challenge and is NOT for inexperienced folks with a travel trailer.
-The trails leading to the rock climbing spots aren't as well defined as you might like. They're "ok".
-They're isn't any water present, even non-potable. Would be nice if a small well or something was built, given that in the summer it's over 95F early in the morning.

Suzy M

July 29, 2024

5

Beautiful and quiet campground with an amazing view! I just wish the address was listed on the reservation confirmation since reception is spotty on the drive to consistently access the app.

Heidi D

July 23, 2024

5

Absolutely loved this campground. While there isn’t a lot of shade, we got lucky with some minor storms and cloud cover during the hot afternoon. Site 19 was such a nice site. It is right next to the day use parking lot, so I’d say that was the only down side. Well kept site/grounds.

Brian W

Verified

July 13, 2024 Stayed at: 9, Loop: Sand Gulch

4

Nice camp with easy access from the south on graded gravel road and good spacing between sites. Not many trees, so may be hot mid summer. Short hike into cliffs above that appears to be a very popular climbing area (lots of routes with install hangers for protection).

Rebecca H

Verified

June 18, 2024 Stayed at: 4, Loop: Sand Gulch

5

Beautiful campsite. Wish we would have made a longer reservation. Near restrooms, which were very clean. Quiet campground despite being near others. Still felt like we had privacy.

Location Sand Gulch Campground

Address:
Bureau Of Land Management
Canon City, CO, 81212
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 38.6174 / -105.23

Elevation: 1967 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

There are no hookup services, no trash collection services and no potable water.

General

Bring your own drinking water.

General

Maximum length of stay is 14 days.

General

Individual campsites are limited to 8 people and 2 vehicles per site. Group campsites are limited to 20 people and 4 vehicles per site.

General

Campsites are various sizes, some are smaller and designed to accommodate tent or van camping. Sites 1-16 accommodate longer trailer units (5, 7, 11 are pull through sites). 

General

No overnight camping in day use parking areas.

General

Fires are only allowed in BLM approved metal fire rings, do not build rock fire rings. Bring your own firewood.

General

Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. This includes, but not limited to, generators, music, loud voices, and loud pets.

General

Generators during non-quiet hours are highly discouraged, for the consideration of other campers.

General

Sites 1-15 and Group Sites are Reservation Only, Sites 16-29 are First Come, First Serve, pay at the Pay Station at the entrance. Reservations can be made the day of. Cellphone Coverage is limited, it's recomended that you make your reservation before arriving. 

General

Check-in time is 1:00 pm. Check-out time is 11:00 am.

General

Please keep your reservation number on hand for reference.

General

During the months of June, July and August, the extreme heat and the presence of pinon gnats, flies, ants and other insects can make camping during these months unpleasant. It’s advised to plan accordingly if you plan to camp during this time of the year.

Warnings & Advisories

Warning

General

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are now in effect, campfires are only allowed in an agency installed fire ring in a campground. Devices using gas are permitted.

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