Activities
BIKING, BOATING, CLIMBING, CAMPING, FISHING, HIKING, HORSEBACK RIDING, OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE, PICNICKING, WILDLIFE VIEWING, FIRE LOOKOUTS/CABINS OVERNIGHT, HORSE CAMPING
Camping Reservations
Reserve your campsite at these camping areas:
ALVARADO CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
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.
BABY DOE >> Camping Area
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.
BASSAM GUARD STATION >> Camping Area
The cabin provides visitors with access to many recreation opportunities in the remote back country. The cabin was originally built around 1911 and was home to a forest guard. Early forest guards usually lived in tents, but if they were lucky, in a cabin like the Bassam Guard Station. Forest guards monitored grazing sheep and cattle, managed timber harvesting, apprehended poachers, and reported fire, road and weather conditions.
BEAR LAKE CAMPGROUND (CO) >> Camping Area
Bear Lake Campground is located in the beautiful San Isabel National Forest at an elevation of 10,480 ft. Views of the nearby Culebra Range Mountains with aspen and spruce forests offer campers a genuine Colorado experience.
BLUE LAKE CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Blue Lake Campground is located in the beautiful San Isabel National Forest at an elevation of 10,500 ft. Views of the nearby Culebra Range Mountains with aspen and spruce forests offer campers a genuine Colorado experience.
BUFFALO CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
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 offers single-family sites, some of which are designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with accessible picnic tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets are provided. No hookups are available.
CASCADE (COLORADO) >> Camping Area
Cascade Campground is located in beautiful Chaffee County, Colorado. This popular facility sits near Cascade Falls and is within 5 miles of a private hot springs resort, making it an ideal location for rest and relaxation. Stream fishing is best above Cascade Falls, just accross the road from the campground. Nearby Chalk Lake is heralded as a great family fishing lake with rainbow, brook and brown trout. Plenty of off-road vehicle trails are a short distance away. Recommended rides include Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Hancock Lakes. Hiking in the area includes the Colorado Trail, The Narrow Gauge trail and the Cascade Loop Trail (Across from Chalk Lake Campground)
CHALK LAKE >> Camping Area
Chalk Lake Campground is located in beautiful Chaffee County, Colorado. This popular facility sits near Chalk Lake and is within 4 miles of a private hot springs resort, making it an ideal location for rest and relaxation. The campground 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. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including chipmunks, hummingbirds, birds of prey and mule deer.
COLLEGIATE PEAKS >> Camping Area
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. A commercial hot springs inn and spa is located about 5 miles east of the campground.
COLORADO CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
Colorado Campground is a favorite family destination near Manitou Lake Picnic Area north of the town of Woodland Park. A short trail leads to the lovely lake, where visitors enjoy fishing, bird watching and canoeing. Manitou Lake offers trout fishing and lakeside picnicking. Canoeing on the small lake is also a popular activity. The Centennial Bike Trail, a paved, accessible recreation trail, connects Colorado Campground to Manitou Lake Picnic Area and South Meadows Campground. The trail is popular among hikers, roller bladers and bicyclists. The nearby Rainbow Falls OHV Trail System and North Divide OHV Trail System are recommended for off-road vehicle enthusiasts.
CRESCENT MINING CAMP >> Camping Area
Cabin campers can escape the city – and escape modern day amenities – by staying at the fully rustic, historic Crescent Mining Camp cabins. The cabins offer a true old fashioned taste of life on the mine in the 19th century, with no electricity or running water. Visitors can focus on the sounds of nature and the incredible views of the Rocky Mountains from its creekside location. The mining camp was built in the 1890s during the boom of mining and milling in Clear Creek Canyon. Miners sought mostly gold and silver, and attracted about 50,000 residents in the valley that is now rather remote. The cabins are adjacent to a road heavily used by off-highway vehicles (OHV) but have a private drive with a locking gate. Crescent Mining camp is a good location for OHV enthusiasts, but not visitors seeking quiet and solitude
DAVENPORT CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
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.
DAWSON CABIN >> Camping Area
Dawson Cabin provides campers with a rustic, remote getaway in the beautiful Clear Creek Canyon. The Clear Creek Historical District offers visitors a taste of mining history from the mid-19th Century, when people came far and wide looking for gold, silver and other precious minerals. By the 1890s, about 50,000 residents lived in the valley, in search of great fortune.
FATHER DYER >> Camping Area
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.
15. INDIAN CREEK EQUESTRIAN CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
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.
KELSEY CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
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.
LA VISTA CAMPGROUND – LAKE ISABEL >> Camping Area
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.
LAKE ISABEL CABIN >> Camping Area
Lake Isabel Cabin is ideal for guests who wish to experience camping in the Pike and San Isabel National Forest, yet sleep in a bed with a roof overhead. The modern cabin is full-service and can accommodate up to six guests, with convenient access to Lake Isabel, just three minutes away.
Lake Isabel is one of the few lakes in Colorado developed purely for recreation. 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 cabin and offers an extra option for fishing.
LAKEVIEW CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
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.
LONE ROCK CAMPGROUND (CO) >> Camping Area
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.
MANITOU LAKE PAVILION >> Camping Area
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.
MAY QUEEN >> Camping Area
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.
MEADOW RIDGE >> Camping Area
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 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.
MEADOWS GROUP CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
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.
MINGUS RANCH >> Camping Area
Mingus Ranch is a cabin where guests can step back in time and feel like they’re staying on an early 20th century homestead. The cabin was built in 1908 and was operated by the same family for six decades before it became a Forest Service property.
In collaboration with the Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway and the Colorado State Historical Society, the cabin and neighboring barn have been renovated to match their original appearance and filled with period-specific furniture and antiques. Electricity is provided and a horse corral is onsite.
MOLLY BROWN >> Camping Area
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.
27. MONARCH PARK >> Camping Area
Monarch Park campground will not be taking reservations for the 2019 season to accommodate for tree removal due to the Spruce beetle epidemic. Campground will operate on a first-come, first served basis.
Monarch Park is nestled at the base of Monarch Ridge, a short drive north of Monarch Pass on Highway 50. 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/Continental DivideTrail and fishing. Beaver ponds near the entrance to the campground 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 at an altitude of 11,312 feet.
28. MOUNT PRINCETON >> Camping Area
Mount Princeton Campground is located in beautiful Chalk Creek Canyon in central Colorado. This popular facility is within 4 miles of a private hot springs resort, making it an ideal location for rest and relaxation.
29. OHAVER LAKE >> Camping Area
O’Haver Lake Campground sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet, with ponderosa pines and aspen. It is located on the shores of O’Haver Lake. This facility has 31 sites and is a very popular destination that is often full on the weekends. This area attracts many campers for fishing, bird watching and canoeing on the calm, pleasant lake. Ponderosa pines provide a fresh vanilla scent in the mountain air and aspens please visitors with golden foliage displays in autumn.
30. PAINTED ROCKS >> Camping Area
Painted Rocks Campground is located a short distance from Manitou Lake Picnic Area 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.
31. PIKE COMMUNITY >> Camping Area
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.
32. PONDEROSA GROUP – LAKE ISABEL >> Camping Area
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 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.
33. PRINTER BOY >> Camping Area
Printer Boy Group Campground is located near Turquoise Lake, in an area with plenty of recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing and hiking. Hikers enjoy the 1.2-mile Turquoise Lake Nature Trail. The gentle path meanders through the forest and down to the shoreline of Turquoise Lake where it connects with the 6.4-mile Turquoise Lake Trail. Trail guides are available at the Turquoise Lake Trail trailhead, located at the entrance to Molly Brown Campground.
34. PURGATOIRE CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
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.
35. RED ROCKS GROUP CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
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. The campground offers one group site that can accommodate up to 100 people and 44 vehicles. It can be reserved for overnight or day use. The site is equipped with picnic tables and a campfire circle with benches. Additional tables and grills are scattered throughout the area. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided.
36. SILVER DOLLAR >> Camping Area
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.
37. SOUTH MEADOWS >> Camping Area
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 hikers and bikers with access to the multipurpose paved Centennial Bike 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.
38. SOUTHSIDE CAMPGROUND – LAKE ISABEL >> Camping Area
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.
39. SPRUCE GROUP – LAKE ISABEL >> Camping Area
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.
40. ST CHARLES CAMPGROUND – LAKE ISABEL >> Camping Area
Nestled among aspen and tall Douglas fir trees, St. Charles Campground is in a quiet part of the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. Located on the banks of St. Charles Creek, the campground is popular with campers who enjoy the sounds of water tumbling through the shaded boulders.
41. THUNDER RIDGE >> Camping Area
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.
42. TIMBERLINE CAMPGROUND >> Camping Area
The Timberline Campground, near Kenosha Pass, is about 7 miles southwest of the small town of Grant. The abundance of aspens at the site creates impressive fall scenery along the forested hillside. Wildlife in the area includes golden eagles, elk, mule deer, moose, chipmunks and porcupines.
43. WHITE STAR >> Camping Area
Picturesque White Star Campground lies at the foot of Mt. Elbert, Colorado’s highest peak, 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.
Hiking Trails
Looking for nice hiking areas to take a hike? Choose from these scenic hiking trails:
Point of Rocks Interpretive Site
Sierra Vista Interpretive Site
Colorado Trail #1776 (Chalk Creek Trailhead)
Monarch Pass Overlook & Trailhead
Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area
Related Link(s)
More Colorado Recreation Areas
Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, Pueblo | Roadtrippers
Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands is a National Forest in Pueblo. Plan your road trip to Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands in CO with Roadtrippers.
Visit Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands on your trip to Pueblo
Plan to visit Pike and San Isabel National Forests Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, United States. Get details of Location, timings and contact. Find the reviews and ratings to know better.
Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, CO Camping & RV Parks Near Me | Top 50+ Sites
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The Beauty Of Pike National Forest – YouTube
The Beauty Of Pike National Forest
Peaks to Prairies – Tracks to Trails
Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (forest locator map) cover nearly 3 million acres, between the prairies of western Kansas and some of Colorado’s highest mountain peaks along the Continental Divide. These sprawling forests and grasslands are an eight hour drive from boundary to boundary. This landscape offers a variety of ecosystems rich in history, geology, scenery, wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities.
The rolling prairies to the east are home to prairie chickens, wildflowers, paleontological resources and historical areas. The snow-capped Rockies to the west are a scenic backdrop to millions of residents and a draw to forest visitors. The forests are home to nearly half of Colorado’s fourteeners with numerous alpine lakes, reservoirs and key rivers. Over 385,000 acres of Wilderness, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, Colorado Trail, and Santa Fe National Historic Trail are special areas worth exploring.
People who live near these areas maintain a strong relationship to the lands. The commitment and volunteerism that these community members have for these public lands is the foundation for our ability to maintain a quality, sustainable recreation program in the face of intense, and growing, urban demand.
