Oh Be Joyful Campground

BLM Bureau of Land Management · Developed

Conditions

Road Access Gravel
Driveway Surface Gravel
Season Open Year Round
Campfires Not recorded

The managing agency hasn't published campfire rules for this campground. The description and directions below often mention it — and it's worth calling the agency before a long drive.

Features

Warning Remote No Cell
Rig Size Back In Only
Hookup Electric Hookup
Style Potable Water Reservable

Campground Stats

Total Sites30
RV Sites13
Sites Accepting RVs17
Tent-Only Sites1
Group Sites1
Overnight Sites30
Back-In Sites16
SurfaceGravel

Location

38.914376, -107.032762

Photos

Description

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.  

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.  

Directions

From the town of Crested Butte, drive north on Gothic Road. (County road 317) towards Mount Crested Butte. Cross the Slate River and turn left on Slate River Road (County Road 734). Follow this up the valley for approximately 5 miles to BLM Road 3220. Turn left onto BLM Road 3220 and continue for approximately 0.3 miles to a Oh Be Joyful Campground. BLM Road 3220 is steep and rough, low clearance vehicles and larger RVs may want to scout the road before driving down to the campground.   

Activities

AUTO TOURING BACKPACKING BIRDING CAMPING HORSEBACK RIDING HUNTING KAYAKING MOUNTAIN BIKING MOUNTAIN CLIMBING OFF ROAD VEHICLE TRAILS PHOTOGRAPHY PICNICKING STAR GAZING

Details

FeeFee $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 encouraged; walk-up availability is unlikely during peak season May 27 to September 30. 14 Day Max Stay
Phone970-642-4940
Email[email protected]
ReservableYes

Nearby Campgrounds

Lake Irwin 4.6 mi · FS · 45 sites
Gothic 4.9 mi · FS · 4 sites
Cement Creek 12.1 mi · FS · 4 sites
Erickson Springs 12.9 mi · FS · 4 sites
Marble Area 13.8 mi · FS
Silver Queen Campground 16.7 mi · FS · 6 sites
Silver Bell Campground 17.4 mi · FS · 14 sites