Beautiful Views Along the Slate River

Oh Be Joyful Campground

Closed

The campground is currently closed for the season. It opens for first-come-first-served camping around May 22, with the peak reservable season running May 27 through September 30. Reservations are available via Recreation.gov with 22 sites bookable 180 days in advance and 7 sites bookable 4 days in advance. Maximum stay is 14 days.

Red Flag Warning issued July 1 at 12:34PM MDT until July 2 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

12:34 PM — July 2nd, 2:00 PM

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Thursday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 207 Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 290 Paradox Valley Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 291 Northern San Juan Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 292 North Fork Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 293 Gunnison Basin Forecast Area and Fire Weather Zone 294 Southwest Colorado Upper West Forecast Area. In Utah, Fire Weather Zone 491 Southeast Utah. * TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 8 PM MDT this evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from noon to 8 PM MDT Thursday. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...6 to 11 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

Red Flag Warning issued July 1 at 12:34PM MDT until July 1 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

12:34 PM — July 2nd, 2:00 PM

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels, which is in effect from noon to 8 PM MDT Thursday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 207 Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 290 Paradox Valley Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 291 Northern San Juan Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 292 North Fork Forecast Area, Fire Weather Zone 293 Gunnison Basin Forecast Area and Fire Weather Zone 294 Southwest Colorado Upper West Forecast Area. In Utah, Fire Weather Zone 491 Southeast Utah. * TIMING...For the first Red Flag Warning, until 8 PM MDT this evening. For the second Red Flag Warning, from noon to 8 PM MDT Thursday. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...6 to 11 percent. * IMPACTS...Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

Air Quality Alert issued July 1 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO

4:10 PM — July 2nd, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Wednesday July 01 to 900 AM Thursday July 02 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Thursday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

About

Oh Be Joyful Campground is a 30-unit BLM campground along the Slate River, approximately 5 miles north of Crested Butte, Colorado at roughly 9,000 feet elevation. The campground takes its name from nearby Oh Be Joyful Creek, known for massive waterfalls and spectacular wildflower displays including Colorado columbines, Indian paintbrush, and avalanche lilies. A footbridge allows access to the west side of the Slate River for hiking along Oh Be Joyful Creek and into the Raggeds Wilderness. The campground features 14 RV campsites, 15 walk-in tent campsites, and one walk-in group campsite, with three vault restrooms. Each site includes a parking space, metal fire ring, picnic table, tent pad, and bear-proof food storage locker. There is no potable water, electric hookups, trash service, or cell service at this location. Campers must bring their own drinking water and pack out all trash. The area offers exceptional recreation including fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, and wildflower viewing. Access requires navigating BLM Road 3220, which is steep and rough. Low-clearance vehicles and larger RVs should scout the road before driving down to the campground.

Directions

From Crested Butte, drive north on Gothic Road (County Road 317) toward 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 Oh Be Joyful Campground. BLM Road 3220 is steep and rough; low-clearance vehicles and larger RVs should scout the road before driving down.

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $20 - $60

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Email kacarson@blm.gov
Phone +1 (970) 642-4940

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon Yes
T-Mobile None

Availability

Photos

Beautiful Views Along the Slate River
View of the Slate River Valley looking South toward Crested Butte

Community Posts

No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!