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Gore Creek Campground

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 Vail, 81657

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About

Gore Creek Campground is the closest campground to the town of Vail: a small Forest Service campground in the White River National Forest, set in the trees along Gore Creek about six miles east of Vail at 8,700 feet. It sits near the boundary of the Eagles Nest Wilderness, with several wilderness trailheads nearby, and at the west end of the paved Vail Pass/Tenmile Canyon National Recreation Trail.

It suits tent campers and small-RV travelers who want a night in the forest but still want to be minutes from Vail's restaurants and trails. It is a basic campground: vault toilets and no drinking water, so plan to bring your own.

Getting there

From I-70, take Exit 180 for East Vail, turn right and follow the south frontage road (Bighorn Road) east for about two miles to the road closure gate. The campground is on the left just before the gate.

Sites and facilities

The Forest Service lists 16 back-in sites and eight walk-in tent sites, with a fully accessible tent site, accessible restrooms and bear-resistant food lockers at each site. Parking spurs are up to 35 feet long, so larger RVs will not fit. A campground host is on site. Tents and other soft-sided campers are allowed.

Reservations and rules

Sites are booked through Recreation.gov. Black bears are common here, so all food, drinks, trash and scented items must be stored in the lockers when you are not attending them. Fire restrictions can be imposed at any time in dry weather, and the Forest Service asks campers to buy firewood locally rather than bringing it in. Fees, check-in times and vehicle rules are in the FAQ below.

Nearby

Sim's Market on Bighorn Road in East Vail is the nearest place for groceries. For a hike into the Eagles Nest Wilderness from East Vail, see the Booth Lake Trail; wilderness rules allow foot and horse travel only.

Sources: USDA Forest Service: Gore Creek Campground, Recreation.gov: Gore Creek Campground. Checked September 24, 2026.

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Gore Creek Campground
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Location
Bighorn Rd
Vail, 81657

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About Gore Creek Campground

Quick answer: Gore Creek Campground is a campground at Bighorn Rd, Vail, CO 81657. Forest Service campground on Gore Creek six miles east of Vail: tent and small-RV sites, bear lockers, no drinking water. Book on Recreation.gov.

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Gore Creek Campground is the closest campground to the town of Vail: a small Forest Service campground in the White River National Forest, set in the trees along Gore Creek about six miles east of Vail at 8,700 feet. It sits near the boundary of the Eagles Nest Wilderness, with several wilderness trailheads nearby, and at the west end of the paved Vail Pass/Tenmile Canyon National Recreation Trail.

It suits tent campers and small-RV travelers who want a night in the forest but still want to be minutes from Vail's restaurants and trails. It is a basic campground: vault toilets and no drinking water, so plan to bring your own.

Getting there

From I-70, take Exit 180 for East Vail, turn right and follow the south frontage road (Bighorn Road) east for about two miles to the road closure gate. The campground is on the left just before the gate.

Sites and facilities

The Forest Service lists 16 back-in sites and eight walk-in tent sites, with a fully accessible tent site, accessible restrooms and bear-resistant food lockers at each site. Parking spurs are up to 35 feet long, so larger RVs will not fit. A campground host is on site. Tents and other soft-sided campers are allowed.

Reservations and rules

Sites are booked through Recreation.gov. Black bears are common here, so all food, drinks, trash and scented items must be stored in the lockers when you are not attending them. Fire restrictions can be imposed at any time in dry weather, and the Forest Service asks campers to buy firewood locally rather than bringing it in. Fees, check-in times and vehicle rules are in the FAQ below.

Nearby

Sim's Market on Bighorn Road in East Vail is the nearest place for groceries. For a hike into the Eagles Nest Wilderness from East Vail, see the Booth Lake Trail; wilderness rules allow foot and horse travel only.

Sources: USDA Forest Service: Gore Creek Campground, Recreation.gov: Gore Creek Campground. Checked September 24, 2026.

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Amenities at Gore Creek Campground

  • Vault toilets
  • Accessible tent site 18
  • Accessible bathrooms
  • Bear-resistant food lockers at each site
  • Bear-proof trash receptacles
  • Campground host

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Gore Creek Campground open?
It is a summer-season campground. For 2026 the Forest Service's campground table lists the season as Wednesday, May 20 to Friday, October 2, 2026, and reservations are not accepted after October 1; any extension into late October is weather and road dependent. Outside the season the campground is closed; there is no winter camping here. Check the current year's dates on the Forest Service site or Recreation.gov before planning a trip, since opening dates can shift with weather.
How do I reserve a site?
All reservations are made on Recreation.gov (campground 234794). You must occupy your site the first night; a reserved site not occupied by 11 a.m. the day after your arrival date is released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager can modify the reservation. Questions: reservation customer service (801) 226-3564; the campground phone listed on Recreation.gov is (970) 468-7681; the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District is (970) 827-5715.
How much does it cost?
The Forest Service lists $29 per night for a single site, which is also the price Recreation.gov charges. Most sites can take one extra vehicle for an additional nightly fee collected at the campground (the Forest Service does not publish the amount). If you hold an accepted senior pass, enter it at the time of booking, the discount applies to single sites only.
Where is Gore Creek Campground?
In the White River National Forest about six miles east of Vail, along Gore Creek at the east end of Bighorn Road. Take I-70 Exit 180 (East Vail), turn right and follow Bighorn Road east about two miles; the campground is on the left just before the road closure gate. It is the closest campground to the town of Vail, near the Eagles Nest Wilderness boundary and at the west end of the paved Vail Pass/Tenmile Canyon National Recreation Trail.
What are the campsites like?
There are 25 numbered sites: 16 standard back-in sites and 9 tent-only walk-in sites, all nonelectric. Site 18 is a fully accessible tent site, and there are four accessible bathrooms. Parking spurs are up to 35 feet long. A campground host is on site, and bear-resistant food lockers are provided at each site.
Can I bring an RV?
Yes, if it fits: parking spurs are up to 35 feet long, and longer RVs will not fit in this campground. One RV with tow is allowed per single site, or one vehicle per tent site. All sites are nonelectric, so there are no hookups. Tents and other soft-sided campers are allowed.
Is there drinking water?
No. Potable water is not available at this campground, so bring all the water you need. There are vault toilets (four of the bathrooms are accessible), and bear-proof trash receptacles are provided.
What are check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is 2 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m. Be clear of the site by 11 a.m. on your departure day so the host can prepare it for the next camper.
Are bears a concern?
Yes. Black bears are prevalent, and White River National Forest rules require all food, beverages, trash and scented items to be stored in the bear-proof lockers provided at each site whenever they are not attended. Bear-proof trash receptacles are also provided at the campground.
Can I have a campfire?
Campfires are part of camping here in normal conditions, but fire restrictions may be imposed at any time in hot, dry weather, and when they are, campfires and charcoal fires are not allowed at all. Check current restrictions before you go. Buy your firewood at or near the campground and burn it on site: moving firewood spreads tree-killing organisms.

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