Less than 20 miles inside the border with Utah, the town of Paradox sits along the Dolores River. The Buckeye Reservoir Recreation Area lies 7 miles north of Paradox along a maintained dirt road. The campground is set among ponderosa pines beside Buckeye Reservoir at an elevation of 7,600 feet. You can choose from one of 30 sites that can be reserved at the campground, which come equipped with fire rings, or use one of 18 dispersed sites found around the edge of the reservoir that are first-come, first-serve.
Traveling 27 miles east along Highway 90, RVs can roll in to High Country RV Park in Naturita, which provides 21 sites with full hookups, along with cable TV and Internet. The ample sites include 98-foot pull-through spots ideal for larger rigs. The park has laundry and shower facilities, as well as picnic areas, barbecues and a fire pit. The highway takes on the character of its wagon-road history as it becomes a dirt road, crossing the San Miguel River and entering the Uncompaghre National Forest.
Only three developed campgrounds exist on the Uncompaghre Plateau, with only one along Route 90. Iron Springs has seven single sites and one double site, as well as a vault restroom. The campground can accommodate tent campers or vehicles pulling small trailers, and lies 9,500 feet above sea level, approximately 25 miles west of Montrose. You easily can drive the road in a passenger car during dry weather, but the road can get slick during spring and summer rainstorms. You’ll also find hard-packed, vegetation-free areas along the road where you can make a dispersed camp for up to 14 days at a time. You need to provide your own water and toilet facilities, as no amenities are available.
Prepare for nights in the 40s and 50s Fahrenheit along the Uncompaghre Plateau, as temperatures can drop rapidly during summer storms. You’ll find warmer temperatures in the Paradox Valley, where daytime temperatures can soar into the 90s, and nights remain in the 50s and 60s. Use bear-safe camping techniques when camping in these remote areas. If you are in a hard-sided RV, you can keep your food out of sight inside your RV, but close windows securely when you leave the area. In tents or pop-ups, secure food inside a wildlife-resistant container 100 feet or more from your sleeping quarters.
