Mt Princeton

38.71417, -106.22278
18382-18444 Chalk Creek Drive Nathrop Colorado 81236 US

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.

Reservation Information

For Reservations Call: 877-444-6777

Campground Information

Know Before You Go:

  • Do not climb chalk cliffs
  • Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
  • This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations
  • This facility has first-come, first-served sites
  • No hookups available
  • Parking is limited; a $5 fee will be charged for extra vehicles
  • Click here for more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests
  • Don’t Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visitdontmovefirewood.org.
Camping & Recreation

Stream fishing is best above Cascade Falls, just west of the campground. Nearby Chalk Lake is heralded as a great family fishing lake with rainbow, brook and brown trout. 

Plenty of off-road vehicle trails are near the campground. Recommended rides include Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Hancock Lakes and Williams Pass.

Take a day trip to the historic ghost town of St. Elmo, just 15 minutes from the campground. An old saloon, county courthouse and many other historic structures remain from the days of its mining glory. Rock hounds come to the area in search of quartz and aquamarine. 

The city of Salida is 45 minutes away, where visitors can take a scenic tram ride, experience a zip-line, play a round of mini golf or go whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River.

 

Services & Facilities

The campground offers single-family sites, a few of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets are provided. Firewood is sold on-site. Parking spurs are gravel.

Within Facility
  • Accessible Sites
  • Accessible Vault Toilets
  • Campfire Rings
  • Creek Access
  • Drinking Water
  • Firewood Vendor
  • Fishing
  • Grills
  • Hiking
  • Host
  • Self Pay Station
  • Swimming
  • Trash Collection
  • Water
Within 10 Miles
  • Historic Sites
  • Hot Springs
  • Lake Access
  • Off-Road Vehicle Trails