Meadows Group Campground offers a wonderful opportunity for groups to enjoy the great outdoors. Located just 45 miles south of Denver near the town of Buffalo Creek, Colorado, the campground provides easy access to trout fishing, hiking and mountain biking.
The campground sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Temperatures are generally mild. About 67 miles south is Pikes Peak at an altitude of 14,110 feet. It is heralded as the easternmost mountain peak over 14,000 feet in the United States.
Hayden Creek Campground is a hidden gem on the Salida Ranger District. The campground is small with only 11 sites. It is located on the banks of Hayden Creek and at the base of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The campground is wooded and very secluded. Sites are best suited to tent camping or small trailers or RV’s. Ideally, vehicles less than 30 ft. work best in the area.
Reservations are not taken for this campground. All sites are first-come, first-served. Also, vault toilet is available only during peak season.
Collegiate Peaks Campground is located 11 miles west of Buena Vista, Colorado, along Middle Cottonwood Creek near the top of Cottonwood Pass. The campground offers well-spaced campsites and scenic views of the surrounding mountains. Visitors enjoy fishing and exploring local trails.
The campground sits at an elevation of 9,800 feet, tucked in a dense stand of ponderosa pine and aspen. Some sites sit alongside the creek while others are tucked back in the woods. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during summer months.
Cottonwood Pass is a high mountain pass across the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains. The road reaches the divide at an elevation of 12,126 feet.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
Deer Creek Campground is a heavily wooded campground located at 9,168 feet. Mature trees provide shade and hiking trails are nearby. Deer Creek and Camp Creek meet to run next to the campground, providing the soothing sounds of running water. No dump station, electricity or water hook-ups available.
Nestled among aspen and tall Douglas fir trees, St. Charles Campground is in a quiet part of the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. Located on the banks of St. Charles Creek, the campground is popular with campers who enjoy the sounds of water tumbling through the shaded boulders.
The campground sits a mile west of Lake Isabel in the Wet Mountains, a beautiful range in the San Isabel National Forest. At an elevation of 8,600 feet, Lake Isabel was designed and constructed in the 1930s as a recreational haven from the dusty plains far below. Rugged mountain peaks in the area provide water for the abundant wildlife and fish populations.
The Indian Creek Equestrian Campground is an ideal camping site for avid horseback riders looking to explore the Indian Creek Equestrian Trail. The area provides a pleasant atmosphere plus nearby access to the Rampart Range, a well known off-highway vehicle riding area.
The area boasts wildlife like mule deer, turkey, elk and black bears. The Roxborough State Park is located to the northeast of the campground as has a reputation for its dramatic red-rock formations.
Campsites sit among a mix of trees that provide both shade and sun throughout the day. These include Ponderosa pine, Gamble oak, Douglas fir, aspen and spruce.
Pike-San Isabel National Forests include over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado’s mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet in altitude.
19 campsites located in the beautiful Leadville district located right along Turquoise lake. The Mount Massive Wilderness Area, a 30,540 acre stretch of primitive land boasting Colorado’s second highest peak at 14,421 feet, is nearby. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields. This is a first come first serve campground and sites fill up quickly especially during the weekends.
The Belle of Colorado is a tent-only, non-reservable campground located on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake in a shaded lodgepole pine forest. Facilities include vault toilets, potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and pedestal grills. Several desirable campsites are located near the shoreline.
May Queen Campground is located at the far western end of Turquoise Lake in a shaded lodgepole pine forest. Conveniently perched near the Charles Boustead Memorial Tunnel, May Queen offers easy access to boating, fishing and hiking.
Incredible views of the Holy Cross and Mount Massive Wildernesses can be seen from the area, and visitors are likely to see native wildlife like chipmunks, beavers and porcupines.
The Charles Boustead Memorial Tunnel is a 5.5-mile tunnel that transports water from the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork River Basins through the Continental Divide to the Arkansas River Basin by emptying water into Turquoise Lake.
The campground sits at an elevation of 9,900 ft. on Turquoise Lake. Most campsites are situated on a level, open field along a creek, feeding into the lake. Six first come-first, serve-sites are perched on the wooded hillside above the creek.
Nearby is the Mount Massive Wilderness area, a 30,540 acre expanse encompassing Mount Massive, Colorado’s second highest peak at 14,421 feet. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.
Located approximately a two-hour drive southwest of Denver, at an elevation of 7,723 feet, the Goose Creek Campground offers an opprtunity for designated camping near the Lost Creek Wilderness. Recreational opportunties in the area include fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and scenic drives. Goose Creek runs through the campground and generally runs year round. Although not deep, the buddling brook supplies soothing sounds and a quaint atmosphere for camping. TheGoose Creek Trailhead #612 is close by and affords acces to the Lost Creek Wilderness via the Hankins Pass #630 and the Goose Creek #612 trails and is the primary reason visitors use this campground.
As the only campground surviving the Hayman Fire, this little area is an oasis of green among the burnt surroundings. Being just minutes away from the Lost Creek Wilderness, this campground is a very popular site for those hiking the Goose Creek trails and does see heavy use throughout the camping season. Host is available on site.
The beautiful Spruce Grove campground is positioned beside large rock outcroppings on Tarryall Creek. Magnificent hiking trails to the Lost Creek Wilderness Area are just steps away from the Creek Bridge. Located just 14 miles outside Lake George, Colorado, the area’s wild inhabitants include black bear, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep and bobcats.
Mount Princeton Campground is located in beautiful Chalk Creek Canyon in central Colorado. This popular facility sits near Chalk Lake and Cascade Falls, and is within 10 miles of a private hot springs resort, making it an ideal location for rest and relaxation. It’s also a great destination for visitors looking for hiking or off-road vehicle trails.
The campground is situated at an elevation of 8,600 feet in Chalk Creek Canyon, which gets its name from the soft, white, chalk-like kaolinite canyon walls. Kaolinite is a clay mineral that was deposited by percolating hot springs. A stand of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir offers partial shade in the campground.
Chalk Creek can be accessed from the campground. It flows 27 miles eastward from the Collegiate Peaks before joining the Arkansas River. Chalk Lake is a mile west of the campground.
Spruce Group Campground, located in the Lake Isabel Recreation Area, is a great place to bring groups for picnicking and camping on the scenic Lake Isabel. The campground accommodates 50 guests for day-use and 40 guests for overnight camping. Some RVs can fit in the paved parking area for added convenience.
Lake Isabel is one of the few lakes in Colorado developed purely for recreation purposes. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the lake attracts campers who enjoy hiking, canoeing, fishing and watching for wildlife. St. Charles Creek flows near the campground and offers additional opportunities for fishing.
The St. Charles Creek runs next to the campground, and dense spruce trees surround the site. The shoreline of Lake Isabel meets the rocky slopes of the Wet Mountains at an elevation of 8,600 feet.
The Pike and San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado’s mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.
This campground is located 1.7 miles east of Woodland Park on Rampart Range Road, FDR #300. This campground has 13 sites.
This is a standard, non-electric campground. Firewood, shelter, and water are not provided.
Alvarado Campground, located at an elevation of 9,000 ft., is a prime location for accessing easy to challenging hikes in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. The variety of trails lead to high elevation lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and a number of stunning scenic overlooks. Alvarado is designed for a range of campers, with facilities for tent, RV and equestrian campers.
Pike-San Isabel National Forests include over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado’s mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.
Alvarado is perched on the side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains among sweet smelling ponderosa pine, aspen, lodgepole and gambel oak trees. Some sites offer views of the Wet Mountain Valley below while others sit beside Alvarado Creek.
The campground is within reach of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, which spans 226,455 acres with 60 alpine lakes, 400 miles of streams and over 400 miles of trails to explore.
Large aspen stands visible in the area today are a result of heavy controlled fires set in the early 1900’s to clear pasture land, expose minerals and produce charcoal.
Located off the Halfmoon Road (FSR 110), Elbert Creek is a first-come, first-served campground adjacent to the Mount Elbert and Mount Massive Trailheads at 10,000 feet. This is a very popular campground for hikers. Facilities include picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and potable water.
High altitude sickness may occur at this altitude.
Purgatoire Campground is nestled near the headwaters of the Purgatoire River in the beautiful Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The primitive campground is laid out on two loops. One is a large grassy meadow with sites that accommodate equestrian campers and one that is wooded with aspen and spruce. The access road is very rough and is not suitable for low-clearance trailers.
Constructed by the Youth Conservation Corp in 1976, Purgatoire was originally named Potato Patch Campground. The river provides nice fishing and a trailhead attracts hikers and horseback riders.
The campground is in an aspen and conifer forest near the North Fork River at an elevation of 9,800 feet. The river, also known as the Purgatoire River, flows 196 miles to the confluence of the Arkansas River.
Pike-San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado’s mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.
Round Mountain is a small, rustic campground that sits just 6 miles from Lake George and Eleven Mile Canyon, 11 miles from the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and 15 miles to Eleven Mile Reservoir. It is also within a short drive to hiking and biking trails, fly fishing, wildlife and bird watching.
The Halfmoon Campground is located at the top of Tigiwon Road #707 near the boundary for the Holy Cross Wilderness in a forested setting; all wilderness regulations must be observed when traveling in the wilderness (foot and horse travel only). This campground is located at the trailheads for several hiking trails and is heavily used by hikers who are climbing Mount of the Holy Cross.
Due to the nature of the Forest Road to the campground and the short parking spurs within the campground, the Halfmoon Campground is not suitable for most RVs.
Campers looking for a pleasant fishing destination with great mountain views will enjoy camping at Jefferson Creek. The campground is located a short drive or hike from Jefferson Lake. The lake is one of the highest elevation lakes around, capping 10,685 feet elevation and bordered by steep 12,000 foot peaks. Fishing in both the creek and lake offer promising catches of trout. Another noteworthy aspect of the campground is its access to the Colorado Trail.
This is a tent camping facility located on the Colorado Trail. A family fire ring with benches are provided. A vault toilet is also located at the site, but is only open during peak season.
The campground is located on the Colorado Trail (#1776) and is a popular destination for through hikers and backpackers who are hiking the trail from Denver to Durango.
South Meadows campground, located 5 miles north of Woodland Park, provides a scenic spot for campers to rest and enjoy the many recreational offerings of the area. The campground attracts avid hikers and bikers with access to the multipurpose Centennial Trail, as well as visitors looking for a central location for day trips to Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods.
Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs, featuring incredible rock formations, impressive vistas and a free visitor and nature center.
Campsites are tucked in a stand of ponderosa pines at an elevation of 8,000 feet. To the east is Mount Deception and to the north is the 5-acre Manitou Lake. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer months and temperatures are generally mild, with warm and pleasant days and cooler nights.
Horseshoe Campground sits along its namesake creek near a grassy meadow among aspen, Engelmann spruce and Bristlecone pines in the San Isabel National Forest. Trees provide good privacy between campsites, which are located at the base of Sheep Mountain.
Coaldale Campground is located on the banks of Hayden Creek and is a quiet campground with only 10 campsites. Most of the campsites are walk-in sites with small parking areas. Water is available at Hayden Creek Campground. The area is thick with gamble oak, juniper, and cottonwood trees . Sites 1-5 are walk-in sites for tent camping. Vault toilet is available only during peak season
This campground is the highest elevation campground on the Salida Ranger District. The elevation is 11,000 feet and the campsites are situated on the north shore of the North Fork Reservoir. The campground is small with only 9 sites. The road to the campground is very rough and not recommended for vehicles towing trailers. High clearance vehicles are a requirement for reaching this campground.
Reservations are not taken for this campground.
O’Haver Campground, located on the shores of O’Haver Lake, attracts many campers for fishing, bird watching and canoeing on the calm, pleasant lakes. During peak season, interpretive programs are offered most weekends. Nearby mountain biking and hiking opportunities are also available.
Campers can venture on a trip to part of the popular Colorado Trail. The multi-purpose trail extends for 487 miles from Denver to Durango, with altitude variations ranging from 5,500 to 13,300 feet.
Campsites have limited understory and sites are situated close to one another. O’Haver sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet, in a forest of ponderosa pine and aspen.
Ponderosa pines provide a fresh vanilla scent in the mountain air and aspens please visitors with golden foliage displays in autumn. Nearby O’Haver Lake spans 15 acres.
Baby Doe Campground is situated on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake in the shade of a lodgepole pine and subalpine fir forest. The family-friendly campground is a popular summer destination for boating, hiking and fishing.
The campground was named after Elizabeth McCourt’s nickname, Baby Doe. She made a name for herself in the Colorado mining community in the 19th century when she took on the rugged work of a miner, and was given her nickname.
Campsites are perched along the scenic lakeshore. The Mount Massive Wilderness Area, a 30,540 acre stretch of primitive land boasting Colorado’s second highest peak at 14,421 feet, is nearby. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.
Hidden in the Rampart Range, Flat Rocks is a campground ideal for the ATV and motorcycle riders in the Rampart Range Motorized Trail System. ATVs and off-road motorcycles are allowed within the campground with immediate connecting trail access. Consult the current Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for specific roads and trails open to off-road vehicles. There is no dump station, electrical, water hook-ups available.
Lodgepole Campground is a creekside destination with incredible Colorado mountain views. The campground is located 3 miles south of Jefferson Lake, one of the highest elevation lakes around, capping 10,685 feet elevation and bordered by steep 12,000 foot peaks. Fishing in both the creek and lake offer promising catches of trout. Another noteworthy aspect of the campground is its access to the Colorado Trail.
Weston Pass Campground is adjacent to Buffalo Peaks Wilderness on the east side. It has 14 campsites with a maximum trailer length of 25 feet. The elevation is 10,200 feet. Camping season begins in May and continues to early October with reduced service after Labor Day.
Aspen Campground is an excellent place for campers looking to relax, hike, fish and enjoy the sounds of nature. The campground sits near Jefferson Creek, a few miles downriver of Jefferson Lake. The lake is one of the highest elevation lakes around, capping 10,685 feet elevation and bordered by steep 12,000 foot peaks Fishing in both the creek and lake offer promising catches of trout. Another noteworthy aspect of the campground is its access to the Colorado Trail.
Cottonwood Lake Campground is a very popular site for campers, as well as anglers. Campsites fill up quickly on weekends. Weekdays can be less busy, and campsites may be much more available. This facility has 24 campsites. The campground is situated on a gently sloping hillside surrounded by young stands of aspen trees.
Water is provided by a solar-powered pump. RV’s and camp trailers cannot fill their water tanks from the campground faucets due to the poor recovery of the well. Water tanks should be filled up in Buena Vista prior to visiting the campground.
No showers are available and restrooms are simple vault toilets.
Located off the Halfmoon Road (FSR 110), Halfmoon East is a first-come, first-served campground near the Mount Elbert and Mount Massive Trailheads at 9,000 feet. This is a very popular campground for hikers. Facilities include picnic tables, fire rings with grates, and vault toilets. There is no potable water available at this campground, but water can be obtained up the road at Halfmoon West Campground.
High altitude sickness may occur at this altitude.
Green Mountain Campground offers that special blend of being far enough from town that there is no corner store while being close enough that the drive to and from home is a part of the total pleasant getaway. Located southwest of Denver, CO at an elevation of 7,500 feet, Green Mountain Campground offers a wonderful opportunity for individuals or families to enjoy the great outdoors. Southfork Creek runs through the campground and numerous trails provide ample hiking and biking opportunities only a mile away.
Picturesque White Star Campground lies at the foot of massive Mt. Elbert, among fragrant ponderosa pines. The campground provides convenient access to Twin Lakes Reservoir for plenty of water recreation opportunities.
It also works as a base camp for hikers and mountain bikers who love to explore nearby trails such the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Mount Elbert Trail.
The campground, at an elevation of 9,200 feet, sits on the north side of the Twin Lakes Reservoir near the base of Mount Elbert.The Twin Lakes Reservoir spans 2,805 acres and Mount Elbert stands tall at 14,433 feet.
Nearby is the Mount Massive Wilderness area, a stretch of 30,540 acres that encompass Mount Massive, Colorado’s highest peak at 14,421 feet. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.
Iron City Campground is located within the Chalk Creek Canyon, which is one of the valley’s most popular areas. This is a small campground with 15 campsites. It is located near the historic townsite of St. Elmo. The historic Iron City cemetery is located on the east end of the campground.
An interpretive sign at the entrance to the cemetery provides information on the early settlers and miners who are buried there.
Camping and campfires are restricted in the Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only. Campers who are unable to find a campsite in one of the four developed campground may camp above the townsite of St. Elmo on County Road 267.
Please note, vault toilet is available only during peak season
Davenport Campground was one of the first Forest Service campgrounds, and is near the now-abandoned Squirrel Creek Campground, the very first Forest Service campground in the country. In 2010, Davenport was rebuilt to evoke the original 1920s design. Adirondack shelters and a common cooking shelter with stone fireplaces were built and old-style log picnic tables add to the historic character of this campground.
The campground offers access to an array of hiking, mountain biking, motorcycle and off-road vehicle trails.
The campground sits in a grassy meadow surrounded by aspen and spruce trees at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Squirrel Creek runs alongside this scenic facility in the Wet Mountains of southern Colorado.
Devil’s Head Campground resides at the base of Devil’s Head Fire Lookout Tower and Devil’s Head Trail #611. Rock formations dot the landscape and provide outstanding views of the surrounding area. No dump station, electricity or water hook-ups available.
Peak season is 05/22-09/08 and extended season runs through 09/09-09/21. During peak season, the campground offers full service. Extended season has reduced services such as vault toilets, water, trash, or a host may not be available.
This campground appears on the following maps:
- Pike National Forest
- USGS Quad Devil’s Head
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated #135 (Deckers / Rampart Range)