USDA Forest Service · Colorado
Lake Irwin
USDA Forest Service · Colorado, United States
- Sites
- 45
- Hookups
- 25 no hookups
- Season
- July 17 to September 30
- Max RV length
- 99 ft
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 10,417 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- LAKE IRWIN CG (NFSR 7826.1A) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest
- Address
- GUNNISON, GRAND MESA, AND UNCO, CO
- Phone
- 970-349-6348
- Activities
- Biking, Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking
25 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Lake Irwin Campground is situated on the western banks of its picturesque namesake lake, approximately 9 miles from Crested Butte, Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its abundant trail opportunities, fishing and beautiful scenery.
Recreation
Mountain biking and hiking are popular activities in this challenging, rugged terrain. Canoeing and fishing are favorite pastimes as well. The lake is usually so full of fish, one can see them rise to the calm surface.
Facilities
The campground offers several single-family campsites, some of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Currently no water is provided, please bring your own.
Natural Features
The campground is set high in the Colorado Rockies at an elevation of 10,200 feet. Summer days are cool and afternoon showers are common. Nights can be chilly.
Lake Irwin borders the campground on the east, and the Ruby Mountain Range lies to the west. Vivid wildflowers fill the landscape during July and August. Most campsites are shaded by mature Englemann spruce and subalpine fir trees.
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests are located on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. Together, the three forests cover 2.9 million acres in the central and southern Rocky Mountains, south of the Colorado River and west of the Continental Divide.
Nearby Attractions
The charming town of Crested Butte is a short drive from the campground. The former coal mining town offers a variety of outdoor activities, dining and shopping options and annual festivals, like the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23° | 7° | -18° | 35° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 24° | 9° | -10° | 39° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 32° | 14° | -2° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 40° | 20° | 1° | 51° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 48° | 26° | 16° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| June | 62° | 36° | 26° | 75° | 6 of 11 |
| July | 71° | 43° | 35° | 78° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 68° | 42° | 35° | 76° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 61° | 37° | 18° | 71° | 6 of 11 |
| October | 48° | 27° | -19° | 59° | 10 of 10 |
| November | 37° | 12° | -22° | 49° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 24° | 1° | -18° | 41° | 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
- Oh Be Joyful Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 5 mi · 30 sites
- River Flats Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 5 mi
- Lost Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- Gothic · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 4 sites
- Erickson Springs · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi · 4 sites
All public campgrounds in Colorado · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.