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.
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.
Riverside Campground lies across the road form South Platte River, providing a scenic base camp for fishing, hiking and rock climbing. The campground is tucked in the Eleven Mile Canyon, a delightful place to view polished granite walls surrounding the open valley of the river. Wildlife is abundant in the surrounding areas, with opportunities to see elk, mule deer, chipmunks and porcupines.
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.
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.
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.
Located on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake, Matchless Campground has 20 sites and can accommodate larger recreational vehicles. Facilities include restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings. This campground is adjacent to the boat ramp and parking areas. Firewood is available at the host site. During weekdays, usage is moderate, but heavy on weekends.
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.
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.
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.
Developed campground camping with the following activities: Access to non-wilderness in the Sangre De Christo mountain range from the Rainbow trail. The Rainbow trail is a motorized trail which includes ATV and motorcycle use and runs along the foot of the Sangres. Wilderness trails, that climb above the Rainbow trail into the Sangres, are only accessed by foot or livestock. The closest wilderness trails include North Brush and South Brush. High Mountain lakes are accessible from the wilderness trails. Forest Service Road 198 is accessed from the Campground and will take you up to non-wilderness areas in the Sangres. Please check a map for other recreational opportunities close by the area.
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.
This campground has 9 campsites at an elevation of 9,900 feet with parking spur lengths of 16-30 feet. The campground remains open year-round, weather permitting. Facilities include picnic tables, a vault toilet, and fire rings.
Please note: there is no water available at this campground.
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.
This campground is usually open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend with full service and, depending on snow conditions, is usually open through the middle of October with reduced service.
Available activities include hiking, fishing, bicycling, motorcycle, and ATV. Fishing in Ophir Creek. A short drive will take you to various trailheads.
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.
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.
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.
Lone Rock Campground, located along the South Platte River, boasts spectacular views and top-notch fly fishing waters. Hikers thoroughly enjoy the nearby Gill Trail and kayakers are drawn to the rapids of the rushing river. Wildlife viewing is rewarding here and campers may spot moose, mule deer, owls, golden eagles and more.
The campground is situated on a hillside rising up from the South Platte River at an elevation of 6,479 feet. Many sites are open and feature a view of the river. Privacy is minimal but ponderosa pines provide some shade. Temperatures are generally mild.
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.
Cove Campground is a small, primitive campground ideal for anglers and rock climbers, nestled in the Eleven Mile Canyon along the South Platte River.
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.
Located on the South Platte River at an elevation of 6,296 feet, Scraggy View Picnic Area is approximately 1 1/2 hours drive southwest of Denver on Jefferson County Road 126. There are five (5) picnic site. No overnight camping available.
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.
Located on the Northwest shore of Twin Lakes.
Sunnyside Fishing Site is located on the northeastern shore of Twin Lakes Reservoir.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
This picnic/day-use area is located at the far western end of Turquoise Lake, adjacent to May Queen Campground. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings with grates, and a restroom. You can also access the Turquoise Lake Nature Trail from this site to enjoy a leisurely walk along the northern shoreline.
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.
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.
La Vista Campground is situated in a meadow overlooking the west side of the 40-acre Lake Isabel. It is set along the Frontier Pathways and Historic Byway in the Wet Mountains along one of the Colorado Birding Trails.
Lake Isabel is one of the few lakes in Colorado developed purely for recreation 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. 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.
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.