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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Buffalo Springs Campground sits on a rolling hillside in the San Isabel National Forest, providing an ideal setting for biking, hiking, horseback riding and rock climbing.
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.
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.
Located on the north shore of Twin Lakes off of Highway 82.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Located on the North shore of Twin Lakes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sunnyside Fishing Site is located on the northeastern shore of Twin Lakes Reservoir.
Cove Campground is a small, primitive campground ideal for anglers and rock climbers, nestled in the Eleven Mile Canyon along the South Platte River.
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.
Bear Lake Campground is located in the Bear River area, 14 miles southwest of Yampa on Forest Development Road 900.
This campground is on the Flat Tops and is managed by the Yampa Ranger District.
The campground has a rustic nature with most of the 43 sites naturally screened from one another. It also boasts 4 double sites and 1 triple site to accommodate larger groups.
The campground has been a favorite of visitors for many years. It typically opens for Memorial Day and closes sometime in October, dependent on weather and use.
Sites are available on a first come, first served basis. This area accesses some great fishing and hiking.
Surrounded by the 235,000-acre Flat Tops Wilderness, the views are spectacular.
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.
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.
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
Pulver group site offers a private area with large pavilion with several tables and a large communal campfire pit. For your convenience, a double-stall vaulted restroom is provided. Within the group site are 6 individual campsites for your guest, each having their own table and campfire ring. Firewood is provided by roaming host who can be located nearby at Round Mountain campground. Access to the west field is by foot only and for your use of additional tents, recreation, or main even activities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Springer Gulch Campground is located in the Eleven Mile Canyon, a short walk from the South Platte River, offering sweeping mountain views at an altitude of 8,300 feet. Fly fishermen will find an abundance of trout and visitors enjoy exploring area trails.
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.