Bureau of Land Management · Colorado

Oh Be Joyful Campground

Bureau of Land Management · Colorado, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Directions
Sites
30
Hookups
14 no hookups
Season
Year-round
Max RV length
20 ft
Group sites
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
8,976 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Lake
Gunnison
Nearest town
Crested Butte
Phone
970-642-4940
Activities
Auto Touring, Backpacking, Birding, Camping, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Mountain Climbing, Off Road Vehicle Trails, Photography, Picnicking

28 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

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.  There is no cell service at this location, please save or print a copy of your reservation confirmation prior to arrival.

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.

Facilities

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.

Be aware BLM is a multi-use land management agency, cattle may enter the camping area during your stay.

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

Charges & Cancellations

Reservations cannot be modified less than 72 hours prior to reservation start date. This means no modifications can be made to a 4-day advanced reservation.

Only 2 modifications can be made to a 180-day advanced reservations sites.

Reservation cancellations occurring less than 72 hours prior to reservation start date are subject to NO REFUND.

Fees

Fee $20 per night at individual sites, $60 per night at group sites.

22 Sites can be reserved 180-days in advance. The remaining 7 sites can be reserved 4 days in advance. Reservations are required for all sites.

14 Day Max Stay

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January29°13°-12°41°11 of 11
February30°15°-3°45°11 of 11
March37°19°2°51°11 of 11
April45°26°4°56°11 of 11
May53°32°20°62°11 of 11
June67°41°30°80°3 of 11
July76°48°40°82°0 of 11
August73°47°40°81°0 of 11
September66°42°24°76°1 of 11
October53°32°-12°64°10 of 10
November43°17°-15°55°10 of 10
December30°8°-10°47°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Colorado · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-07-15. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.