Columbine Campground — Uncompahgre National Forest

Columbine Campground is a properly developed USFS site on the Uncompahgre Plateau, sitting in dense spruce-fir forest near the plateau’s central spine. It’s one of the better-maintained camps in this stretch of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison NF — vault toilets, defined sites with fire rings and tables, and genuine tree cover that keeps temperatures tolerable on hot summer afternoons. Capacity is small, which means it fills on summer weekends but rarely feels like a zoo. Hunters claim it hard in September-October bow season.

Access is off Divide Road (FR 402) — high-clearance 2WD handles it in dry conditions. Wet weather turns the clay sections ugly fast; mud season in May-early June can make it impassable. No piped water — carry in what you need. No reservations, walk-up only. Check current fire restrictions with the Montrose Ranger District before your trip; this plateau sees fire bans regularly in drought years.

Shaded plateau camp, solid USFS developed site.