Fishing the Uncompahgre River and Exploring the Black Canyon – At Riverbend RV Park and Cabins in Montrose, Colorado
- stevenmega
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
Stay: October 5–12 at Riverbend RV Park & Cabins
If you love combining RV travel with fishing and scenic exploring, Riverbend RV Park and Cabins in Montrose, Colorado, checks all the boxes. Set right along the Uncompahgre River, this peaceful and well-maintained park offers a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and natural beauty—plus easy access to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
Riverside Camping and Amenities
The Uncompahgre River flows along the edge thoughtfully maintained, with large, level sites that offer plenty of room. Riverbend also features tent sites, cabin rentals. Kona enjoyed her stay with plenty of room to walk and a large fenced-in dog park.
Amenities include full hookups, spotless showers, laundry facilities, propane refills, good Wi-Fi, and reliable Verizon service—a nice bonus in this part of Colorado. The park staff takes obvious pride in keeping everything in top shape. When I arrived, a friendly employee guided me to my site and shared a few local fishing tips, including which stretches of the Uncompahgre were most productive after the rain. That kind of local insight is always appreciated.
Exploring the Black Canyon
One of Riverbend’s biggest perks is how close it is to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park—a quick, scenic drive from the campground. The East Portal Road that leads down to the Gunnison River is not suitable for vehicles over 22 feet, with steep grades, sharp turns, and no guardrails in places. I stayed up top and drove the rim road, which was open even though the visitor center was closed due to the government shutdown.
The overlooks along the rim are stunning, with dramatic drops and incredible views of the Gunnison River winding through the narrow canyon far below. Even without fishing access at the bottom, the views alone made the trip more than worthwhile. The East Portal Campground was closed due to the recent wildfire.
Around Montrose
Montrose is a great town for travelers, with plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, and local charm. My favorite find was Crystal Clear Wash, a laundromat, self-service dog wash, and RV/car wash all in one location. I got to give Kona a bath and wash the RV between loads. On stop shopping at its best.
For food, Colorado Boy Pizzeria and Brewery hit the spot with wood-fired pizza and a local craft beer—an ideal way to wrap up a damp but rewarding week.
A few minutes up the road in downtown Montrose, Ed’s Fly Shop is a must-stop for anglers. The crew there is friendly, knowledgeable, and full of good local advice. They offer guided drift and wading trips on three nearby rivers—the Uncompahgre, Gunnison, and Cimarron—and stock everything you could need for a day on the water.
Wrapping Up
Even with the rainy weather and high water, Riverbend RV Park proved to be a fantastic base for fishing and exploring. The friendly staff, riverside location, and proximity to Montrose and the Black Canyon make it a top pick for anyone visiting the area.
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