Pike & San Isabel Forest

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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.

belle of colorado campground, leadville, co

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.

dexter campground leadville, co

Dexter campground is a primitive campground recommended for RV’s.  It is located right next to Twin lakes and is a great first come first serve campground for those without reservations.  24 sites available.

Elbert Creek Campground, Leadville, Co

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.

Father Dyer Campground, Leadville, Co

Father Dyer 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 is named after Father John Lewis Dyer, one of the first Methodist ministers to tour Colorado’s high country mining camps. For 20 years, beginning in 1862, he travelled the circuit encompassing Alma, Fairplay and Leadville, regularly skiing over the 13,186-foot Mosquito Pass on long, wooden skis.

Campsites are nestled in the forest near the scenic lakeshore. The Mount Massive Wilderness Area, a 30,540 acre stretch of primitive land encompassing 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.

Half moon east campground, leadville, co

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.

Half Moon west campground, leadville, co

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.

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Lakeview Campground, Co

Lakeview Campground, with wonderful views of the Twin Lakes Reservoir, offers a large space with options for tent, RV and group camping. Located about 29 miles north of Buena Vista, Colorado, the campground attracts plenty of hikers looking to explore nearby nature and backpacking trails in the Mount Massive Wilderness. Boating and fishing enthusiasts spend their days at the Twin Lakes Reservoir and Mt. Elbert Forebay.

Lakeview is situated in a ponderosa pine and sage habitat at an elevation of 9,500 feet. The site is between Mt. Elbert Forebay and Twin Lakes. The Twin Lakes Reservoir spans 2,805 acres and Mount Elbert stands tall at 14,433 feet. 

Nearby is the Mount Massive Wilderness area, 30,540 acres 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.

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May Queen Campground, Leadville, co

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.

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Molly brown campground, leadville, co

Named after the “unsinkable” Molly Brown on the Titanic, Molly Brown Campground, on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake, sits in a shaded lodgepole pine forest. The campground is ideal for enjoying the popular recreation lake and offers access to boating, fishing, hiking and water skiing. 

The famous Molly Brown lived in the town of Leadville, just 5 miles east of the campground. She became wealthy from her husband’s mining success and took on a life as a philanthropist, socialite and activist.

Campsites are perched along the scenic waters of the lake. Nearby is the Mount Massive Wilderness area, a 30,540 acre stretch of forest land which encompasses Colorado¿s second highest peak, Mount Massive at 14,421 feet. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.

parry peak campground, leadville, co

Parry Peak Campground is a first-come, first-served campground located in a shady ponderosa pine forest along the whitewaters of Lake Creek. This campground is a favorite among anglers with a spectacular view of Parry Peak. Access to the Continental Divide Trail is just down the road.

High altitude sickness may occur at this altitude.

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Printer Boy Campground, Leadville, Co

Printer Boy Group Campground is located near Turquoise Lake, in an area with plenty of recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing and hiking.

The campground is situated within walking distance of the lake shore in a forest of lodgepole pine and sub-alpine fir. 

The Mount Massive Wilderness area, a 30,540 acre stretch of primitive land is nearby. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.

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silver dollar campground, leadville, co

Silver Dollar Campground is situated near 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.

Campsites are nestled in the forest within walking distance of the scenic lakeshore at 10,000 feet in elevation. The Mount Massive Wilderness Area is nearby. The 30,540-acre expanse encompasses 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.

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Tabor Campground is located adjacent to the boat ramp along the north-eastern shore of Turquoise Lake in a shaded lodgepole pine forest at 9,900 feet. It easily accommodates large recreational vehicles. Facilities include picnic tables, fire rings with grates, potable water, and a vault toilet.

This campground is named after Leadville’s infamous Silver King, Horace A. W. Tabor.

High altitude sickness may occur.

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Twin Peaks is a first-come, first-served campground located west of Twin Lakes Reservoir in a shaded aspen and lodgepole pine forest. It is located above the whitewater of Lake Creek at 9,600 feet with spectacular views of the Sawatch Range. The Continental Divide and Mount Elbert trails are in the nearby area.

High altitude sickness may occur at this altitude.

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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.

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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.

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Cascade Campground is located in beautiful Chalk Creek Canyon in central Colorado. This popular facility sits near Cascade Falls and 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 off-road vehicle trails.

The campground is situated in a dense forest of Douglas fir and aspen at an elevation of 9,000 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. 

Chalk Creek is just across the road from the campground. It flows 27 miles eastward from the Collegiate Peaks before joining the Arkansas River. Chalk Lake is a mile east of the campground.

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Chalk Lake is a very popular campground with an array of recreational opportunities like hiking, mountain biking and off-road vehicle riding. Visitors also enjoy fishing at Chalk Lake and Chalk Creek. 

Chalk Creek Canyon offers scenic views and stark contrasts between white chalk-like canyon walls and dense pine forests.

The campground is situated near the shore of Chalk Lake at the edge of a stand of Douglas fir and aspen trees. The lake sits at an elevation of 9,000 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. 

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 east of the campground. 

A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including chipmunks, hummingbirds, birds of prey and mule deer. 

Afternoon thundershowers are common during July and August.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Angel of Shavano Campground is one of the area’s best kept secrets. The campground is small with only 20 campsites, but it offers visitors a quiet atmosphere to gather with family and friends. The campsites are wooded with aspen and spruce trees. A few of the campsites are located along the stream.

Angel of Shavano Group Campground is considered one of the area’s best kept camping secrets. It is situated next to the North Fork South Arkansas River and offers a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, biking and fishing.

The campground is named after an image of an angel that appears as winter snow fall on Shavano Mountain. The site lies at an elevation of 9,200 feet along the North Fork South Arkansas River. A forest of aspen and pine covers the area. Beaver ponds dot the landscape at the base of nearby Shavano Mountain. 

Some sites sit along the river while others are set among an open, grassy meadow. Thunderstorms are common in summer months.

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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

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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.

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Monarch Park is nestled at the base of Monarch Ridge, a short drive north of Monarch Pass. Some campsites at the family-friendly destination are located on the banks of the South Fork Arkansas River, while others lie along a creek. Popular activities in the area include hiking the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail and fishing. Beaver ponds are near the entrance to the campground and make a great fishing spot for families with young children. 

Monarch Pass is a high mountain pass along the southern part of Colorado’s Sawatch Range. The pass crosses the Continental Divide an altitude of 11,312 feet.

The picturesque campground is heavily wooded with ponderosa and Douglas fir. With an elevation of 10,500 feet, visitors are likely to experience chilly nighttime temperatures and cool, mild summer days.

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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.

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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.

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ATTENTION:  Water is available at this campground however you will not be permitted to fill up your RV or Trailer with Water from the system.  There is not enough water available in the water system to provide that amount of water to everyone.  Thank you for your understanding.

Colorado Campground is a favorite family destination near Manitou Lake and north of the town of Woodland Park. A short trail leads to the lovely lake, where visitors enjoy fishing, bird watching and canoeing.

The campground is situated at 7,800 feet in a ponderosa pine forest near the 5-acre Manitou Lake. The campground lies in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, due north of Pikes Peak. Pikes Peak summit reaches an elevation of 14,115 feet and is America’s easternmost peak over 14,000 feet.

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The Crags campground has 17 campsites for tents, small RV’s, or small trailers. It is located in an “out of the way” area and is highly used depending on the time of day and year.

The Crags Trail #664 and the Devil’s Playground Trail #753 start near the campground at the Crags Trailhead located 1/8 mile before the campground.

This is a standard, non-electric campground. It is also a pack it in, pack it out campground.

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All Payments for Entrance by Cash or Check only

Manitou Lake Picnic Area, is located 7 miles north of Woodland Park, Colorado,. The Manitou Lake Pavilion is located inside the picnic area and is a wonderful group day use picnic area for groups up to 50 people. The scenic spot sits on the west side of Manitou Lake and provides great opportunities for hiking, biking and fishing. 
Fishing in the lake is welcomed.

The small Manitou Lake is a 5-acre reservoir fed by Trout Creek. At a 7,700 foot elevation, the terrain is a combination of grassy meadows and ponderosa pines. Visitors can view Mt. Deception across the lake

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Located about 10 miles from the town of Woodland Park, Colorado, Meadow Ridge Campground is pleasantly situated on a ridge above the Rampart Reservoir. Here, campers have access to prime fishing and a selection of mountain biking and hiking trails. 

The campground is in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, due north of the popular Pikes Peak. The peak has an altitude of 14,110 feet and was first climbed in 1820. Its claim to fame is that it is America’s easternmost peak over 14,000 feet.

Sitting in a ponderosa pine forest at 9,200 feet, the 19-site campground overlooks the Rampart Reservoir. The surrounding terrain includes a mix of grass meadows, spruce, Douglas fir and aspen.

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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.

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Painted Rocks Campground is located a short distance from Manitou Lake and the Centennial Bike Trail in central Colorado. The rustic campground is named for the sandstone outcroppings in the area that resemble colorful streaks from an artist’s paintbrush.

The campground is nestled on the edge of a grassy meadow at an elevation of 7,800 feet. Most sites on the west loop sites are nicely shaded by ponderosa pines, while sites on the east loop are more open and less shady.

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Pike Community is a group campground located about 6 miles north of Woodland Park in central Colorado. It is a popular choice for of all ages, complete with a baseball field, playground, sand volleyball court and a horseshoe pit. Campers enjoy nearby access to hiking and biking trails.

Located within a ponderosa pine forest, the campground is nestled in a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 7,700 feet.

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Red Rocks Group Campground is located 4 miles north of the town of Woodland Park, Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for hiking, biking and visiting the nearby 5-acre Manitou Lake.

This rustic group site is situated in a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 8,200 feet. A nearby hiking trail leads to a unique red sandstone formation. Most of Red Rocks Group is shaded by sweetly scented ponderosa pine trees.

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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.

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ATTENTION:  Water is available at this campground however you will not be permitted to fill up your RV or Trailer with Water from the system.  There is not enough water available in the water system to provide that amount of water to everyone.  Thank you for your understanding.

Thunder Ridge Campground, located above the Rampart Reservoir, is one of two campgrounds within the Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area. The campground overlooks the reservoir, which is popular for fishing. Boating and hiking are also common activities for campers here. 

The campground is located on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, due north of the popular Pikes Peak. The peak has an altitude of 14,110 feet and is America’s easternmost peak reaching over 14,000 feet.

The campground overlooks the Rampart Reservoir in a ponderosa pine forest at an altitude of 9,200 feet. The surrounding terrain includes a mix of grass meadows, spruce, Douglas fir and aspen.

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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.

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