Tunnel View Recreation Site
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Write a Review CR-384A Buena Vista, CO 81211 719-530-5520 Official WebsiteGPS: 38.8686, -106.1474
Overview of Tunnel View Recreation Site
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by Chuck on 8/6/2024
Longest RV Reported: 36 feet (Class A)
Reported by Bruce on 7/26/2021
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 8,136 ft / 2,479 m
Max Stay 14
Max Length 30 ft
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Tunnel View Recreation Site
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. (719) 530-5520
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Reviews of Tunnel View Recreation Site 24 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 13 Users
Last reported 8/6/2024
Confirmed by 8 Users
Last reported 5/18/2024
Confirmed by 4 Users
Last reported 7/26/2021
“Great Dispersed Camping Right on the Arkansas River”
Reviewed 10/19/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 12 |
| RV Length: | 27' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We set-up here to visit Buena Vista (BV) and fish the Arkansas River. Stream access to a productive stretch of river was right behind our camp. It's also a short drive into town. Trips into Salida were also reasonable from this spot. It's a tight, one-lane gravel road down into this area so take care nobody is starting up or down when ... more
We set-up here to visit Buena Vista (BV) and fish the Arkansas River. Stream access to a productive stretch of river was right behind our camp. It's also a short drive into town. Trips into Salida were also reasonable from this spot. It's a tight, one-lane gravel road down into this area so take care nobody is starting up or down when you are. Sites are easy to get into with lots of room between camping areas. There aren't any outhouses in this area so come prepared. We barely got ATT mobile service at our location near the river. There was a lot of trash in our fire pit when we arrived.
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AT&T 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very difficult for big rigs, but is possible”
Reviewed 7/26/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 10 |
| RV Length: | 36' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
I realize I have the biggest rig that commented on this campground. It was difficult but possible. We barely cleared the power line at the top which was probably 13 feet. Deeply rutted coming down the single lane road while the tow car blocked anyone coming up from the bottom. However difficult, it was worth it! Very nice large campsit... more
I realize I have the biggest rig that commented on this campground. It was difficult but possible. We barely cleared the power line at the top which was probably 13 feet. Deeply rutted coming down the single lane road while the tow car blocked anyone coming up from the bottom. However difficult, it was worth it! Very nice large campsites, river flowing by, trees, very pretty. It would be a good place to stay longer.
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Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 4G
Bruce would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Better camping nearby”
Reviewed 5/9/2021
| Days stayed: | 5 |
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| Site Number: | 17 |
Overall Rating
The road is dangerous and there was a decent bit of traffic. Met opposing traffic several times, and it was always a problem. Very little cell service, could only get a few texts out, no data. Close to the river but no views of the collegiates. All things considered, there are many better options nearby
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Close to town but totally far out”
Reviewed 10/12/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 5 |
| Site Number: | 9 |
| RV Length: | 28' |
Overall Rating
We just finished a stay here in Oct 2020. It was great. Sites are clean, large and far apart. It is a very short drive into the town of Buena Vista. There are no facilities or hookups so, come prepared. The one lane road into/out of the campground is steep, dirt and treacherous - I can’t imagine having to navigate the situation if two ... more
We just finished a stay here in Oct 2020. It was great. Sites are clean, large and far apart. It is a very short drive into the town of Buena Vista. There are no facilities or hookups so, come prepared. The one lane road into/out of the campground is steep, dirt and treacherous - I can’t imagine having to navigate the situation if two camper rigs met face to face mid-way. We sent a scout to the top before we drove out. There is some road noise from across the river but overall it’s great scenic spot.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Katie and Todd would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Good campground with LTE”
Reviewed 9/20/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 6 |
| RV Length: | 23' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
The campground is open, there’s even a camp host next to the day use area. One lane road is a little uneven and narrow coming down into the sites. Good fishing along the river. No hiking trails out of the campground. A little noisy during the day with climbers at Turtle Rock and rafters putting in at Elephant Rock. Someone dumped their... more
The campground is open, there’s even a camp host next to the day use area. One lane road is a little uneven and narrow coming down into the sites. Good fishing along the river. No hiking trails out of the campground. A little noisy during the day with climbers at Turtle Rock and rafters putting in at Elephant Rock. Someone dumped their ashtray and trash in the burn ring but still a good spot and no toilets so be careful in the trees. Good Verizon LTE coverage so you can get some work done. Four miles from town.
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Verizon 4G
Uncas would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Closed due to corona virus”
Reviewed 5/5/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 6 |
| RV Length: | 26' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
Ranger kicked us out
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T-Mobile 4G
2DANK would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent tent camping site”
Reviewed 10/4/2019
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 14 |
| Site Number: | 14 of 16 |
Overall Rating
Arkansas River headwaters just outside of Buena Vista, CO. Beautiful dirt pads, protected by large rock outcroppings, trees, and post fences between the site pads. Tunnel View recreation site. 3 miles from town. With showers and laundry available. 5 miles from the Cottonwood hot springs. Just a handful of RVs here in October. Access ro... more
Arkansas River headwaters just outside of Buena Vista, CO. Beautiful dirt pads, protected by large rock outcroppings, trees, and post fences between the site pads. Tunnel View recreation site. 3 miles from town. With showers and laundry available. 5 miles from the Cottonwood hot springs. Just a handful of RVs here in October. Access road is in very good shape, and graded for easy access for TTs up to 35 feet.
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AT&T 4G
Raidskinsfan would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Being remodeled/developed - great place to camp near Buena Vista”
Reviewed 7/12/2019
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 11 |
| RV Length: | 27' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
This used to be just plain old dispersed camping, but it appears they are developing the sites - they've added fire rings, log rail entrances to each of the sites (as seen in some of the recently posted pictures), and have numbered all the sites. I believe there are 18-19 sites total (there didn't appear to be a site #1 - they started ... more
This used to be just plain old dispersed camping, but it appears they are developing the sites - they've added fire rings, log rail entrances to each of the sites (as seen in some of the recently posted pictures), and have numbered all the sites. I believe there are 18-19 sites total (there didn't appear to be a site #1 - they started at #2 - not sure why!). The sites are of various sizes, from small tent sites (#14-16 are walk-in tent sites with amazing privacy) to a number of sites that could accommodate multiple tents/campers.
The road in is a bit daunting - mainly because it is a narrow one-way road with a drop on one side - meaning there's no place to pull over once you start. And from the top, unless you get out & peer over the bushes, you may not be able to see someone coming past the slight bend in the road. I would not want to have to back an RV or trailer back up or down that road if you meet someone coming the other way. Thankfully, there's little traffic in/out, so the odds are with you. :-) But I would see no issue pulling a larger rig in here (and we did see some larger ones camping) except for that potential concern.
We were in site 11 - and it was the 2nd to last site available on a Friday evening (we got lucky- the last site filled within an hour of our arrival). It was a great site - nice views, a bit of shade if we needed it, and we couldn't see any of the other sites from our site. There are some trails you can take along the river from the main parking area near the entrance road. It's close to downtown Buena Vista, and not to far off the highway - so easy access - but aside from hearing one train horn some nights (early in the evening - maybe between 8-9pm?), and the occasional traffic sounds from across the river on CR371, you'd never know it. Some sites are closer to the river than others, so you can hear the sounds of the Arkansas, but other than that, it was crazy quiet at night.
Verizon cell service in our site was just enough to make quick phone calls and send/receive texts, but not good enough for data - but the signal did seem to vary when we walked between sites.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Steep, rocky, pitted, one-lane dirt road on the way down, but beautiful when you get there.”
Reviewed 1/10/2019
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 9 |
| RV Length: | 33' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
This is the BLM area on the WEST side of the river (there are 2 other free campgrounds on the east side as well). From US-24, take County Road 384A to the east of 24 (right if coming from south; left is coming from north). Head down 384A, which turns from pavement to dirt. BLM land starts near the end of the road to the left. There is ... more
This is the BLM area on the WEST side of the river (there are 2 other free campgrounds on the east side as well). From US-24, take County Road 384A to the east of 24 (right if coming from south; left is coming from north). Head down 384A, which turns from pavement to dirt. BLM land starts near the end of the road to the left. There is some signage and then a steep grade down to get to the sites.
We have a 35’ fifth wheel and braved the path. The road only has about 6” of clearance on either side for us, with a steep drop off on one side (it was scary). We made it without incident, so it is possible, but not for the faint of heart. Once at the bottom, you can turn right or left to find sites. There are only a handful a sites for large rigs, but many options for sm. rigs/vans/tents. Check satellite view for more detail.
We stayed June 2018 and there was some traffic, and a 30-year old’s birthday party, but we felt safe and were never hassled. The river is beautiful, and you will hear daily “Woo Hoo”-ing from river travelers, but it is otherwise peaceful. We did see a Park Ranger drive by once.
We had 1-2 bars Verizon LTE, which was usable for internet work most of the time. There were times it was unusable. There are otherwise no services available. Pack it in, pack it out, please (including your animal’s droppings).
There is a goat farm with lots of fresh cheese and meats just across the street on the west side of 24. Highly recommend getting some samples and buying local!
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Verizon 4G
Unknown_Normal would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Tight Road but beautiful, quiet, and deer filled”
Reviewed 4/19/2018
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| RV Length: | 16' |
Overall Rating
We stayed because it was in between Salida and Buena Vista as we wanted to hike both areas. It was 22 degrees and the weather said it felt like 11 and I believe it. We came in at 8pm and left at 6am. Many deer on the washboard road so please be careful and the road is narrow and only passable for one in many places. River noise was won... more
We stayed because it was in between Salida and Buena Vista as we wanted to hike both areas. It was 22 degrees and the weather said it felt like 11 and I believe it. We came in at 8pm and left at 6am. Many deer on the washboard road so please be careful and the road is narrow and only passable for one in many places. River noise was wonderful and that was the only noise. Site was clean and had a lot of space. There was 35 mile an hour wind that day so no hiking was done. Loved the views and this area. Will come back with the weather is better.
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Verizon
Bolzette would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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198 reviews
Boondocking in Buena Vista, CO – Tales from a Van-Tramp couple
It feels good to be out of the city and back into some mountains. At just under 8,000 foot elevation, Buena Vista – or just outside BV – has been our home for the past week. I’ve passed throu...
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- fishing
- water access
Pets
- pets
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