Gunnison National Forest — Bristol Head Campground

Bristol Head Campground is a low-key developed site operated by the Gunnison National Forest, sitting just off CO-149 south of Spring Creek Pass roughly 10 miles north of Lake City. It’s a tight little spot — a handful of sites max — shaded by aspen and spruce with views up toward the Bristol Head cliffs. Vault toilet on-site, fire rings, picnic tables. No drinking water available so tank up in Lake City before you roll in. At around 9,400 feet elevation, it’s a legitimate high-country camp. Summer weekends draw anglers working the nearby drainages, but it never fills the way front-country campgrounds do.

CO-149 is paved all the way to the spur road, so any street vehicle can reach it. The campground road itself is short gravel. First-come, first-served. Open generally late May through mid-October, though early and late season conditions vary with snowpack. Confirm current status with the Gunnison Ranger District before heading up.

High-country aspen camp beneath Bristol Head cliffs.