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

Matt F

August 9, 2022

4

Great site! Beautiful views and adjacent to cool trails where you can see climbers up on the cliffs.

Christopher S

June 24, 2022

5

Excellent campground with great views. I set my tent at Camp 14 and would highly recommend this spot as you have mostly unrestricted views of the surround rocks and hills. Spot 14 also has a nice open clearing to set your tent.

Pam F

June 19, 2022

4

The bathroom/vault toilet was unusable

Mariah W

June 4, 2022

5

Beautiful spot with nice hiking nearby.

Greg A

Verified

May 23, 2022 Stayed at: 15, Loop: Sand Gulch

5

Great campground with wonderful views and sights

Todd L

April 15, 2022

4

Road in Sandgulch is deeply rutted. Toilet needed to be emptied.

Dan H

February 28, 2022

1

lkj

Daniela R

January 25, 2022

5

This campground is clean and quiet, with plenty of privacy among sites. Any car can reach it- good news for those of us who brave the climbing scene without a Subaru! A few of the sites on the inner loop can be a bit hard to find in the dark, but those are especially nice because they're sheltered from the wind that can be pretty strong in unsheltered spots.

Deborah W

January 2, 2022

1

Despite having reservations, we arrived and someone was in our spot. We waited and waited and the people who were in our reserved spot did not arrive so we had to go to another site. We've been going to shelf for almost 30 years to climb - and the recent changes to reservations has brought a lot of stress - almost every time we've reserved since the new system there has been people in our spot. IF Shelf is going to continue with the odd spots reservations only - there needs to be some way to identify as such. Occasionally there has been an identifier on the post that we have reserved, but not this time. It is incredibly frustrating.

Lisa C

Verified

November 29, 2021 Stayed at: 14, Loop: Sand Gulch

5

Great camping

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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