How much does camping cost at Alpine Ranger Station?

Camping fees at Alpine Ranger Station range from $3-$9/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Alpine Ranger Station first-come first-served or reservation?

Alpine Ranger Station accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Alpine Ranger Station before I book?

Yes! Alpine Ranger Station has 7 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Alpine Ranger Station?

Alpine Ranger Station is open Facility open year-round.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Alpine Ranger Station?

Alpine Ranger Station does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Alpine Ranger Station?

Fire policies at Alpine Ranger Station: No firewood movement allowed. Policy aimed at preserving forest health.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Alpine Ranger Station have?

Alpine Ranger Station has 2 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Alpine Ranger Station?

Pets are not allowed at Alpine Ranger Station. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Alpine Ranger Station?

Alpine Ranger Station offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Alpine Ranger Station?

Popular activities at Alpine Ranger Station include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Alpine Ranger Station

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216 N. Colorado Street, Gunnison, CO, 81230, USA

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Featured in:Fishing Colorado#2

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

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Quick Facts

9,600 ft

Price

$3 - $9/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

9,600 ft

Price

$3 - $9/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Alpine Ranger Station

$3.00 - $9.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Recreation fees range from $3 for in-person reservations to $9 for contact center reservations. Additional charges may include cancellation,...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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Provider

970-641-0471

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"User reviews are currently unavailable. The average sentiment scores are low, with a general sentiment of 2.6 and a campground-specific sentiment of 1.0, suggesting mixed to negative experiences."

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Campground Map

216 N. Colorado Street, Gunnison, CO, 81230, USA

Alpine Ranger Station

216 N. Colorado Street, Gunnison, CO, 81230, USA

Nearby places

Lake City (approximately 1 hour drive), Gunnison (35 miles to US-50 junction, further travel required via FSR roads).

Nearby supplies

Lake City is an hour away and has two small grocery stores, a gas station, and restaurants. Water must be brought by visitors

no potable water available at the station.

Driving directionsFrom Gunnison: Take US-50 west for approximately 35 miles. Turn left on Co. Rd 66 to Forest Service Road (FSR) 867. Follow for approximately 20 miles to its junction with FSR 868. Turn right and the Alpine Ranger Station will be 5 miles ahead on the right-hand side behind a locked gate. From Lake City: Travel north on state highway 149 for approximately 11.1 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 867 (Alpine Road on Google Maps). Continue to the junction with FSR 868, then continue straight. The station is 5 miles ahead on the right-hand side behind a locked gate.

Access involves primarily gravel roads (County Road 66, FSR 867, and FSR 868) featuring switchbacks that can pose challenges, especially under wet conditions. Drivers should be cautious and prepared for uneven terrain.

Best Time to Camp at Alpine Ranger Station

Fall brings the clearest reason to visit: aspen color peaks, daytime highs reach the 40s–50s°F, and nights drop into the 20s–30s°F. September fishing stays productive, elk and deer movements increase, and visitor numbers fall off from summer. Mornings are cool and clear, bugs disappear. Winter temperatures range from around 2°F to 28°F, with clear skies about 65% of the time and light snow. The dry air and stable conditions suit winter photography and snowshoeing, but you'll need serious cold-weather gear and a reliable vehicle.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 16% in CO

Quaking aspen presence implies strong fall color; continued hiking and solitude opportunities.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Facility open year-round.

About Alpine Ranger Station

Alpine Ranger Station sits at 9,600 feet on the Alpine Plateau, offering two semi-rustic cabins that sleep up to four people each. The main cabin has bunk beds, and the smaller cabin includes a queen bed and loft. Fees run $3-$9 per night. Solar lighting, propane stoves and refrigerators, and potbelly wood stoves come standard. A vault toilet serves both cabins.

The Alpine Ranger Station provides semi-rustic cabin accommodations with modern amenities. The focus is on cabin lodging rather than traditional camping setups.

Historical Significance

The station served as an active ranger outpost for generations of forest service personnel who monitored these wildlands. The cabins preserve that working heritage while now hosting visitors.

Weather and SeasonsFall brings the clearest reason to visit: aspen color peaks, daytime highs reach the 40s–50s°F, and nights drop into the 20s–30s°F. September fishing stays productive, elk and deer movements increase, and visitor numbers fall off from summer. Mornings are cool and clear, bugs disappear. Winter temperatures range from around 2°F to 28°F, with clear skies about 65% of the time and light snow. The dry air and stable conditions suit winter photography and snowshoeing, but you'll need serious cold-weather gear and a reliable vehicle.

ElevationAt 9,600 feet above sea level, the Alpine Ranger Station offers visitors an authentic high-altitude experience. The thin mountain air adds an exhilarating edge to every breath and activity, while the elevated perspective reveals stunning vistas impossible to witness from below. Visitors should prepare for the altitude by staying hydrated and taking it easy during their first day, allowing their bodies to adjust to this rarified mountain environment where eagles soar at eye level.

Natural Features and SceneryThe station occupies a high-altitude valley carved by glaciers, surrounded by aspen, spruce, and fir forest. Blue Creek and Soldier Creek flow through the terrain below, and Cannibal Plateau rises to the west. The Uncompahgre Wilderness stretches to the horizon. Elk, black bears, and golden eagles populate the area. At this elevation, the thin air and open views create a stark mountain landscape that changes dramatically with the seasons.

Geological RegionThe Alpine Plateau cradles these historic cabins in a spectacular high-altitude valley carved by ancient glaciers and sculpted by millennia of mountain weather. This 9,600-foot perch offers front-row seats to geological drama, where weathered peaks tell stories written in stone and time. Surrounded by dense forests of aspen, spruce, and fir, the station sits at the confluence of multiple ecosystems. Blue Creek and Soldier Creek have carved their signatures through the landscape, while the imposing Cannibal Plateau and the vast Uncompahgre Wilderness create a natural amphitheater of raw mountain beauty that leaves visitors breathless—both literally and figuratively.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Main cabin accommodates up to 4 people, secondary cabin accommodates additional guests.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutTwo separate cabins. The main cabin has bunk beds for up to four people. The smaller cabin has a queen bed and a loft for additional guests.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov and associated mobile apps.

Walk-in AvailabilityNo walk-up availability is referenced.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations prior to the start date incur a $10 fee and refund excludes reservation fees paid. Late cancellations (less than 14 days) forfeit the first night's recreation fee.

AccessibilityNo information about accessibility features is explicitly provided.

Site SizeThe cabins can accommodate up to four people in the main cabin and additional guests in the smaller cabin with a loft.

PrivacyThe details about campsite privacy are not explicitly mentioned.

Total Campsites2 campsites

Recommended SitesRecommended for small groups or families looking for a blend of rustic and semi-modernized amenities.

Need help booking Alpine Ranger Station?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Lodging and accommodations

Vault toilets

Cabin Lodging

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities set against an alpine backdrop. Activities include hiking, mountain biking, OHV trails (ATV and motorcycle routes), horseback riding with access to a horse barn and small corral, and proximity to the Uncompahgre Wilderness. A trailhead for Uncompahgre Peak, a popular '14er,' is located just a mile away, making it an ideal base for outdoor enthusiasts.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include challenging road conditions during wet periods and lack of potable water on-site.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyNo firewood movement allowed. Policy aimed at preserving forest health.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are likely in Lake City (includes grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants) or Gunnison for more comprehensive facilities.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are not provided on-site. Visitors are required to pack out all trash and waste.

Water FeaturesAdjacent to Blue Creek and Soldier Creek, which may offer fishing opportunities.

Weather at Alpine Ranger Station

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

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0 reviews

Limited Reviews

Alpine Ranger Station has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are currently unavailable. The average sentiment scores are low, with a general sentiment of 2.6 and a campground-specific sentiment of 1.0, suggesting mixed to negative experiences.

Review Summaries