A popular campground near Crested Butte will be closed next summer as it undergoes extensive renovations to replace aging infrastructure, from the restrooms to the roads.
The Lake Irwin Campground, located about 9 miles west of Crested Butte, will close for the summer season on Sept. 8 and will not reopen in 2027 when the U.S. Forest Service plans a “full demolition and reconstruction of facilities,” the agency said in a recent news release. It is expected to reopen in June 2028.
“Facilities at Lake Irwin were built in the 1960s and have exceeded their useful life. The reconstruction project will update the site to meet current recreation needs and improve safety,” the release said.
Nestled at 10,200 feet in elevation with views of the Elk Mountains, Lake Irwin is a popular place for water sports, such as paddleboarding and kayaking, as well as hiking. The Forest Service plans to triple the parking capacity there and add eight new campsites, bringing the total to 40. The agency will also rebuild the roads and trails, and replace the kiosks, picnic areas and restrooms.
The Lake Irwin Campground is one of just a few near Crested Butte where spots are available to reserve ahead of time, making it prime tent and RV real estate. That’s become an important distinction in recent years, as the town has worked to cut down the number of campers in the area to what it considers a more sustainable level.
During the pandemic, Crested Butte experienced a boom in visitation and unregulated dispersed camping , including a proliferation of dead and bare ground where there was once wild grasses and flowers, escaped campfires, and sanitation problems. That inspired the town to institute a “designated camping” only policy starting in 2021, meaning visitors can only set up camp where sites have been allocated for that purpose.
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There are 208 designated campsites available throughout the Gunnison Valley, according to the Crested Butte Conservation Corps, a branch of the Crested Butte Mountain Biking Association that is dedicated to outdoor stewardship. The sites, which are first-come, first-served, have designated numbers, are marked by wooden posts and offer metal fire rings. Some require an overnight fee. (See a map of options here.)
There are other established campgrounds in the area, such as the Mt. Crested Butte Campground, but they are usually first-come, first-served.
The Lake Irwin day-use area, which provides access to the shores of Lake Irwin, will reopen in 2027, though the Forest Service said there may be times when access is temporarily cordoned off, or traffic may be slowed. For the latest information, visit fs.usda.gov/r02/gmug/recreation/lake-irwin-modernization-project.
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