Rainbow Lake (FR 7724) in CO -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Colorado

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Rainbow Lake (FR 7724) in CO

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison NFs, Gunnison Ranger District
10,958 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
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A 17.7-mile stretch of gravel National Forest road in Gunnison County, CO. The road serves Rainbow Lake Dam. The road is open seasonally, May 28 to February 29.

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Gunnison Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 60 days.

3.4 of the 17.7 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Mostly gravel, with 2.7 miles of dirt. Winds through 3 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. Cattle guards 10.8, 12.3, 13.3 and 16.3 miles in.

A body of water lies 0.2 mi off. Exposed here -- the nearest through road is 0.0 miles off. South Baldy Mountain stands 1,418 ft above the site, 2.6 miles north. The nearest town, Gunnison, is 15 mi off.

September normals 34–59°F, 2.9″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
Williams Creek in COCampground49.7miWager Gulch Rd (BLM 3308) in CODispersed Camping51.0miRito Hondo Reservoir SWA State Park in COCampground51.0miMill Creek Campground in COCampground51.3miMill Creek Campground Rd (BLM 3316) in CODispersed Camping51.3mi
Fire restrictions

Set by Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Gunnison Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.

fs.usda.gov
Sources checked August 2026Something wrong here?