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.
Buffalo Campground is one of two facilities within the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, about an hour’s drive southwest of Denver, Colorado. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, mountain biking and trout fishing.
The campground is situated near Buffalo Creek at an elevation of 7,400 feet in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Summer temperatures are mild and range from 75-80 degrees during the day to 55-65 degrees at night.
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.
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.
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.
These campgrounds have 13 campsites each for TENT CAMPING ONLY at an elevation of 6,200 feet. It is open year-round. This campground has picnic table and fire ring at each campsite. Portable toilets are availabe during peak season.
Southside Campground is a small RV facility situated in the Wet Mountains by Lake Isabel. The popular recreation area offers a selection of hiking trails and great fishing and paddle boating on Lake Isabel.
Lake Isabel was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s, for the purpose of recreation.The 40-acre lake is stocked with trout and the nearby St. Charles Creek offers additional fishing opportunities.
Aspen and ponderosa pine help shade the campground. Lake Isabel impresses visitors with a shoreline that meets the rocky base of the surrounding 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.
Blue Mountain Campground sits between Eleven Mile Canyon with the South Platte River to the north and the peak of Blue Mountain to the south, creating an impressive location for recreation and diverse scenery. The campground is primitive and quiet, creating a peaceful outdoor experience for guests. Hiking, biking, rock climbing in the canyon and trout fishing in the river are popular pastimes.
Located on the Pike and San Isabel National Forest at an elevation of 9,813 feet, Burning Bear Campground offers cooler temperatures during the hot Colorado summer months. Along the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, this campground is near prime spots for wildlife viewing, scenic driving, landscape photography, hiking and roads open to off-highway vehicles.
The campground is nestled in a beautiful valley on the way to Guanella Pass. Although somewhat open, a scattering of ponderosa pines provides some privacy to campers.
Mount Bierstadt (elevation 14,060 feet) is north on the Guanella Pass road – a Scenic and Historic Byway, and one of the most popular scenic drives on the Pike and San Isabel National Forest. The Guanella Pass road is a great place to watch for bighorn sheep, elk, deer, moose, marmot, pika, and bear
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At an elevation of 9,813 feet, Geneva Park Campground offers cooler temperatures during the hottest of summer months. Along the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, this campground is near prime spots for wildlife viewing, scenic driving, landscape photography, hiking, summiting 14,060 foot Mount Bierstadt, and access to 4-wheel drive roads. No dump station, electrical or water hook-ups available.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Located near the Matchless boat ramp on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake, Maid of Erin is a beautiful area to enjoy a picnic with friends and family. Facilities include picnic tables, pedestal grills, fire rings, potable water, and vault toilets. You can also access the Turquoise Lake Nature Trail from this site for a leisurely walk around the lake.
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.
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.
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.
Spillway Campground is perched along the South Platte River near the base of the dam of Eleven Mile Reservoir. Adventurists and families alike will find things to do here. Birding is excellent, as is hiking. Rock climbers enjoy the solid rocky cliffs of the canyon and fly fishermen find abundant catches in the river.
This is the only designated picnic area on Twin Lakes. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings with grates and a vault restroom. There is a lovely view of the lakes with Twin Peaks, Mt. Hope and Mt. Quail rising up behind the lakes. This site provides easy access for fishing.
Twin Eagles Campground is 14 miles north of Lake George, off CR 77. It has nine campsites, some of which are walk-in/hike-in, with a maximum trailer length of 22 feet. The elevation is 8,600 feet. This campground is open year round with reduced service in the winter season. Facilities include toilets, tables, and fire rings; there is no water or trash service. There are no reservations at this campground.
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.
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.
Located about six miles down the Halfmoon Road, Emerald Lake is a day use picnic and fishing area in a shady lodgepole pine forest. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout. This site is easily accessible during summer months and inaccessible during winter months. There are 10 picnic sites with tables and pedestal grills. Day use fees for each vehicle is $7.00 payable by cash, check or money order placed inside the self-service fee tube.
Ponderosa Group Campground, located near the sparkling 40-acre Lake Isabel, beckons large groups for picnicking and camping in the Lake Isabel Recreation Area.
The campground accommodates 61-120 guests for day-use ($150 day use fee) and 60 guests for overnight camping. Visitors can enjoy entertainment like volleyball and horseshoes, or head to the lake for canoeing and fishing.
Lake Isabel is one of the few lakes in Colorado developed solely for recreational purposes. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the lake attracts many campers who come to hike, canoe, fish and spend time bird watching. St. Charles Creek flows near the campground and offers additional fishing opportunities.
Shady pine and aspen trees are scattered throughout the campground. The shoreline of Lake Isabel meets the rocky base of sweeping mountains at an elevation of 8,600 feet. At 8,600 feet the area enjoys cool summer days, a welcome relief from the heat in the plains far below.
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.
Kelsey is one of two campgrounds within the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, about an hour’s drive southwest of Denver, Colorado. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and trout fishing.
The campground sits at an elevation of 7,400 feet in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Summer temperatures are mild and range from 75-80 during the day to 55-65 at night.
The Kelsey Overlook is just north of the campground along County Road 126, offering beautiful views of the valley below.
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.
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.
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.