RV Rental Crawford State Park, CO

Crawford Reservoir, a 400-acre lake with a sandy shoreline and crystalline water, is the park's showpiece. On summer weekends, it's brimming with motorboats pulling water skiers and tow tubes. You'll also see jet skiers zooming around. For a relaxing paddle, launch a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. If you prefer a more laid-back beach scene, consider visiting during the week or outside peak season.

Crawford State Park is one of the most coveted fishing destinations on Colorado's western slope, with the chance to reel in perch, crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and northern pike – perfect for a fish fry back at your campsite. Because of its proximity to the West Elk Wilderness Area, Crawford State Park offers excellent wildlife watching opportunities. Keep your eyes peeled for bobcats, black bears, killdeer plovers, eagles, hawks, and Gunnison sage grouse.

Things don't slow down in the winter, when Crawford State Park transforms into a snow-dusted outdoor playground. Scenic trails lure cross-country skiers and snowshoers, while the frozen reservoir offers excellent ice fishing. The main campground remains open throughout the year, which makes camping at Crawford State Park in the winter a cinch.

Thanks to a makeover by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Crawford State Park now boasts two modern campgrounds. Iron Creek Campground offers 45 sites, most with electric, water, and sewer hookups. It's set on a grassy peninsula and offer beautiful views over the reservoir and rolling hills. You'll enjoy easy access to a boat ramp, which makes Iron Creek a favorite with boat owners. Like most developed state park RV campgrounds, Iron Creek treats campers to modern bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers. There's also a sanitation station to the south of the entrance for RV rentals with services onboard. Larger sites can accommodate rigs of up to 120 feet long.

For an off-the-grid experience, head to the Clear Fork Campground. Take your pick of more than 20 primitive sites set on the shores of the Crawford Reservoir. Campground amenities include toilets, showers and drinking water. You're a short stroll from the Peninsula Day-Use Area, where you can relax on the beach or enjoy a picnic on the shoreline. Don't forget to pick up a camping permit and a park pass before you start setting up. Pets are welcome at both campgrounds; just be sure to keep your dog leashed and supervised.

Crawford State Park is a fantastic base for exploring the Western Slope of Colorado, a captivating region known for rugged mountains, towering mesas, and picturesque canyons. Discover a bounty of peach orchards and boutique vineyards in Palisade, or head to Grand Junction to tee off at world-class golf courses with stunning mountain views.

For a change of scene, spend the day at Sweitzer Lake State Park, a shimmering reservoir where you can swim, fish, boat, picnic, and soak in the fresh mountain air. For serious drama, drive 20 minutes southwest to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Over millions of years, the Gunnison River carved a gaping 2,000-foot-deep chasm into earth's surface and created the geological marvel you see today. Don't miss the vertigo-inducing Painted Wall, one of the tallest vertical cliffs in North America. You can also explore the scenic trails that hug the canyon rim or gear up for an adventurous day hike or rock-climbing expedition.

A five-minute drive from Iron Creek Campground, the historic town of Crawford is brimming with Old West charm. A stroll around the downtown core will reveal colorful cafes, galleries, and independent studios. Crawford is also a great place to stock up on gas, groceries, s'mores supplies, and other motorhome camping essentials. Denver is four and a half hours away and is a great place to pick up a rental RV and kickstart your Colorado adventure.