Overview

Managed by Kremmling Field Office  

The Pumphouse Recreation Area is part of the Upper Colorado River Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), providing opportunities for developed camping, river access and access to hiking trails. With over 100,000 annual visitors the sites facilities include 3 developed boat ramp sites, 12 vault toilets, day use and overnight parking, 18 Single Campsites and 2 Group Campsites. The campground has a seasonal potable water system that may be in operation between mid-April to mid-November (not available for trailer hookups or filling of Recreational Vehicle and Travel Trailer filling).

Facilities

Each campsite must be reserved through Recreation.gov and has varying space for parking (see parking size limitations for each campsite before completing your reservation), a picnic table, a fire ring, and close proximity to a vault toilet and trash receptacles. For campsites 1-8, driveway parking is 35 feet or less in length and is back-in/pull-in. Additional vehicles may park along the roadway adjacent to the campsite if space allows or must park in the general parking areas. Camping within vehicles outside of the assigned campsite driveway is not permitted. Campsites 9-18 are parallel parking and typically have space for two vehicles and small trailers. Additional vehicles must park in the campground overflow parking across from Group Campsite A. 

Potable water may be available May - October. However, do not rely on this as the water source for your trip's needs as it is not always operational. 

There are no electric hook-ups and cell service is non-existent without a booster. 

There are three boat ramps with restrooms. Boat Ramp #2 adjacent to the Gore Canyon Whitewater Play Park is a boat slide with steps. Boat ramps have electricity.

Natural Features

The Pumphouse Recreation Area is adjacent to the Colorado River between Gore Canyon and Hartman Canyon. The scenery within the area is a major component to the adjacent Colorado Headwaters National Scenic and Historic Byway and are important features that make this stretch of river Wild and Scenic Eligible.

Recreation

Pumphouse Recreation Area is the most heavily used access point for the Upper Colorado River between Kremmling and State Bridge. Those floating downriver access calm flat water to Class III whitewater rapids.

The Gore Canyon Whitewater Playpark is located just above Boat Ramp #2 and provides a manmade wave that is popular for kayakers, stand up paddle boarders and other small watercraft. It is also an exciting splash feature for watercraft coming downriver from Boat Ramp #1.

Hiking opportunities accessed from the Pumphouse Recreation Area provide ample access for wade fishing and exploring along the Colorado River. 

The Gore Canyon Trail is open to foot travel only providing access upriver for 1.5 miles. Keep an eye out for the historic retaining walls holding the trail in place that early surveyors of Gore Canyon and homesteaders developed to access this area of the river for finding a railroad route and efforts to divert water for irrigation. 

The Gore Canyon Ranch Trail is open to foot travel only and provides access downriver for 1.25 miles connecting to the Gore Canyon Ranch Trailhead and Parking Area. This undeveloped area was the site of a homestead ranch and acquired by the BLM to improve and expand public recreation and access, provide educational opportunities on the area’s history, wildlife and responsible recreation opportunities and restore habitat for wildlife. 

The historic Argentine Trail is open to foot travel only and is accessed from the Gore Canyon Ranch Trail. This trail is not for the lighthearted as it has steep drop offs as much of the trails was blasted into the cliffs of Hartman Canyon allowing access for surveyors and mule trains. Those floating down stream can see this trail high up the canyon wall on river left. 

Nearby Attractions

The town of Kremmling, CO is approximately 15 miles east of Pumphouse Recreation Area where visitors can get supplies.

Rancho Del Rio – a private resort along the Colorado river, has a small store with supplies and is a river access point for those recreating on the river. Rancho Del Rio is located approximately 10 miles west along Trough Road.

Trough Road, which accesses the BLM Recreation Areas and Rancho Del Rio (private river access – fee site) is the Colorado Headwaters National Scenic and Historic Byway. Originating just east of Grand Lake on Highway 34, the byway ends at State Bridge. 

Important Notices

• All campsites must be reserved through Recreation.gov . Camping is limited to 7 consecutive days

  Campsites must be attended within 24 hours of the 1st reserved day or may be cancelled.

  Campsites and personal belongings may not be left unattended for more than 24 hours during a given reservation period or may be cancelled.

  Single Campsites are limited to a maximum of 10 people and camp fee includes the 1st two vehicles only.

  Group Campsites are limited to a maximum of 30 people and camp fee includes the 1st two vehicles only.

  Additional vehicles must purchase and display a day use fee for each day onsite or have a valid Federal Agency Issued Season Pass for the Upper Colorado River SRMA, or a valid America The Beautiful Pass. The Upper Colorado River Season Pass is $50 and is only available at the Kremmling Field Office. Visitors can purchase one at the office or call (970)724-3000 and have mailed by paying for certified mail. The America The Beautiful Pass may also be purchased at the Kremmling Field Office or at most other federal agency buildings.

  Colorado Vehicle Registrations with Keep Colorado Wild State Park Access and Colorado State Park Passes are not valid at Federal Fee Areas.

  Campsites become available by 1pm the 1st day of reservation. It may be available earlier, however the prior occupant has the site until 12pm.  

  Checkout time is 12:00pm. Any vehicle remaining at the Pumphouse or Radium Recreation Areas after 12:00pm must purchase a day use pass for that day or have a valid Federal Agency Issued Season Pass for the Upper Colorado River SRMA, or a valid America The Beautiful Pass.

  All vehicles (and any towed trailer) must be parked within the sites assigned parking area and MUST NOT be within the roadway.

  Vehicles and trailers are NOT PERMITTED to be parked off of the campsites assigned parking areas and must remain on the graveled areas at all times.

  Vehicles and trailers that do not fit within the site’s assigned parking must be parked in campground overflow parking or day use parking.

  Camping within vehicles in campground overflow parking or day use parking areas is NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME.

  Trailers with slide outs are NOT PERMITTED TO EXTEND TOWARDS THE ROADWAY FOR CAMPSITES 9-18.

  Pets must be leashed or under the direct and immediate voice control of a responsible person at all times.

  Quiet Hours are between 10:00pm and 6:00am.

  NO OVERNIGHT MOORING OF ANY WATERCRAFT away from designated boat ramps during camping at Pumphouse Recreation Area. Watercraft must be stored on trailers or within the campsite if not staged at a designated boat ramp.

  Campsites located along the river must keep all camping gear (tents, hammocks, tables, chairs when not occupied, etc.) on the campsite side of the fence along the river. The area between the fence and the river is open for all visitors to walk and recreate along.

  All fires must be fully extinguished when not being attended.

  Large trash bags should be deposited within the large trash bins located by the entrance near the Ramp #2 Restroom or near Group Campsites behind the Ramp #3 Restrooms.

  No dumping of Portable Toilets within the campground restrooms.

  No filling of Recreational Vehicle or Trailer water tanks. 

Available Activities

• Camping - Camping
• Fishing - Fishing
• Hiking - Hiking
• Non-Motorized Boating - Non-Motorized Boating
• Rafting - Rafting
• Paddling - Paddling
• Paddle Boating - Paddle Boating
• Scenic Drive - Scenic Drive
• Water Access - Water Access

Contact Information

Phone: 970-724-3000

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip