Situated among spruce and fir, Gothic Campground lies 2 miles beyond the ghost town, with four campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground, which opens in mid-June when snow has receded and springtime winds have finished drying the mud, enjoys brisk summer temperatures that rarely creep out of the 70s. The rustic campsite provides only vault toilets, so you’ll need to pack in your own water. Gothic Campground is busiest during the first two weeks in July when a wildflower festival in nearby Crested Butte draws visitors to the area.
Gothic lies adjacent to two wilderness areas where you can create your own hiking and camping adventure. Camping is permitted in both the Raggeds and Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness areas. You won’t need a backcountry permit to hike and camp in the Raggeds Wilderness, but you’re required to self-register at the trailheads before staying overnight in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Keep your camp more than 100 feet from any waterway and camp on durable surfaces where you won’t damage vegetation.
Embark on a cross-country skiing adventure through a winter wonderland and spend the night camping in a rustic hut in the town of Gothic. Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory manages two huts in Gothic that are accessible by a 4-mile ski over terrain suited to the intermediate skier. The Forest Queen Hut provides basic amenities including a wood stove, beds for up to six people, propane stove, electric refrigerator and primitive outdoor toilet. The Maroon Hut can sleep up to 12 people, with extra amenities that include a full kitchen, running hot water and heat pump. Bring your own sleeping bags, linens, food and other necessary items.
Gothic lies at an elevation of 9,500 feet, which can trigger altitude sickness in those unaccustomed to mountain heights. Help your body adjust by hydrating a few days before your arrival -- as well as when you're in Gothic -- to replace fluids lost by increased respirations. Damage by pine beetles and extended drought make Colorado's forests particularly susceptible to wildfires. Check with the forest service to ensure your campsite is not in the path of a wildfire and that the site has not been closed due to fire damage. Fires disrupt food supply for local wildlife including bears and mountain lions who are more likely to venture near your camp in fire conditions. Pack your food in airtight containers and store it out of sight in your RV or inside a bear-resistant container. Mountain lions live in the mountains surrounding Gothic, so keep pets, children and small adults close to the group.
