Angel Of Shavano Group — Psicc

Camp host was awesome and approachable with good knowledge of that natural area. Didn’t want to go to campground but needed to, and appreciated the clean bathrooms and lack of busy-ness at the camp—only 3 or 4 of at least 17 spots were taken, so still had complete privacy at site 16. There were quite a few bugs from standing water due to snow melt, but burning a fire (firepits at all sites) and using a little lemongrass minimized peskiness. The sites are mostly pretty close together or really close to the facilities so if you’re finicky about your spot, reserve online before turning off 50 because you won’t have a signal on the county road to the falls; although, you might get lucky just showing up and choosing your spot.

I hate to give negative reviews, but I have to. This campground is truly one of the worst I have ever been to. No one is maintaining the area (tall grass, piss-like smell), and there are pesky flies everywhere (I'm afraid it has to do with the smell.) I love this area - I have been going here with my parents since I was a child - but not this campground. There are no positive words s to describe this place. Better save your money and stay somewhere else.

Flies, no defined tent sites, some had tent areas but rain water ran right through them. Entire area smells very bad. Area was not maintained .weeds, grass etc no managed.

Bad smell from the public bathroom you pay for all day long. Flies, flies, and more flies.  Grass and weeds not maintained bringing more flies and bugs.  Covered parvilion had bugs, wasp, more flies, and smelled.  There was a horse show pit but not maintained as grass and weeds were to tall.  No water at site. Had to walk to get water from a very slow hand pump.  NOT a good site.  Host was a nice guy and not sure if the poor shape of the site is responsibility or someone else.  My advise..save your money and stay away

My first trip to Angel of Shavano CG (from Colo Spgs) was in 1989, and it became the mainstay for my kids & me. The kids are grown, but the CG is still one of my faves. Quiet, fairly secluded, has its own fishing pond and nearby beaver ponds, N. Fk. S. Arkansas flows past, and it is right on the Colorado Trail. Very shady, 30 min. from Salida, many 4x4 roads in the area. Great place to jump off of US 50 overnight if not full, or to spend a few days.

Stayed at the Angel of Shavano Group site in 2015. It was nestled right up to the wild that you want to soak in but still provided some creature comforts like tables, fire, pit and restroom with sink! Because of the quiet seclusion, Dahl sheep not only wonder through camp but they stuck around for about 3 hours! Also had a cow moose munch her way through. Beautiful spot near a creek and amazing hiking trails!

I will give prospective campers the information I wish I had before I arrived.  

First off, the Good--the campground is in a beautiful valley at the foot of Mt. Shavano.  Another positive is that the current campground hosts are very conscientious and go out of their way to make the campground homey.

But the Bad--the campground is tiny and it is busy!  Summer weekends are packed and non-reservable.  We arrived at 11AM on Friday morning and all the sites except one were already taken for the entire weekend.  With the exception of a half dozen sites around the outside edge of the campground, the sites are way too close together.  In the center, there are about eight sites that occupy a space that should not hold more than three.  Tent pads are no more than 15 feet apart in this center area, and you can clearly hear every sound your neighbors make. There is also very little visual screening between many of the sites.  The table for one of the riverside sites was nearly in the road due to the narrow depth of that site.  If you are not lucky enough to get one of the more spacious outside edge sites, you are better off camping elsewhere.

We visited the Lower Shavano Campground in May and were met with cool temperatures overnight (20-30°f) and highs in the 70's. Them camp sites were large and well thought out with easy access to cut your own firewood and clean restrooms. Live water ran behind our campsite and was easily accessible to collect for filtering. There is a large trail head with access to summit Mt Shavano or stay in the lowlands. A relatively easy Jeep trail will get you up to the higher Shavano campground which was still closed in May due to snow.

This was a nice spot to stop while either section hiking or through hiking the Colorado Trail. I especially appreciated the very clean outhouses! I camped with a woman who was hiking with a couple of llamas and the campground host was very gracious in where was a good spot to keep the llamas. Nice picnic table to organize all my stuff. Very refreshing. $18 a site.

We stayed in the non group side. About 20 spots, first come first serve. Beautiful spots right by the creek. Great shade and privacy. Non electric. The Colorado trail runs right next to campground and offered amazing hiking. Tons of Aspen trees!