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Established Camping

Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

**Carter Lake Camping:** Due to ongoing site improvements and road construction currently in progress, the following campgrounds are impacted: - **Eagle Campground:** Starting June 13, sites will be reservable on Friday and Saturday nights only, up to 30 days in advance. Reserve online or by calling 1-800-397-7795. - Important Advisory: If you have a larger camping unit (RV or trailer 26 or more feet in length), navigating the construction will be challenging. We recommend South Shore campground as an alternative to better accommodate your needs during construction. - **North Pines Campground:** Reservations can only be made a few weeks to a month out. Reserve online or by calling 1-800-397-7795. - **Big Thompson Campground:** Beginning April 1, the campground transitioned into day-use parking and does not offer camping. For questions, please call (970) 619-4570.

Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake is a solid spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with some stunning views. You’ll find sites that offer easy access to the lake, perfect for kayaking and fishing, and many campers rave about the beautiful scenery surrounding the area.

The campground has a few key amenities that make it convenient for visitors. There are picnic tables and fire rings at each site, allowing for cozy evenings under the stars. One camper mentioned, “We were on a hill right above the water, but it was an easy walk down to the water,” highlighting the easy access to the lake for some fun in the sun.

If you’re into wildlife, keep your eyes peeled; deer and wild turkeys have been spotted wandering through the campground. While some campers noted that the sites can feel a bit close together, the overall vibe is friendly and lively, making it a great place to connect with fellow campers.

For those looking to explore beyond the campground, you’re just a short drive from local attractions and amenities. Whether you’re here for a weekend fishing trip or a family getaway, Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake has plenty to offer for a memorable outdoor experience.

Description

Larimer County, CO

Carter Lake

Carter Lake is located in the foothills west of Loveland at an elevation of 5,760 feet. It is a part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. The purpose of this water project is to divert water from the west slope to the east slope for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower generation. The Bureau of Reclamation is solely responsible for power generation. The agencies jointly manage water levels for irrigation, municipal, and industry use. Recreation is managed by Larimer County Natural Resources. Three miles long and about one mile wide, Carter Lake is a 1,100-acre reservoir surrounded by 1,000 acres of public lands and is popular for fishing, sailing, camping, swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing, and water skiing. It is open year round. Park Entrance Permits and Camping Fees are required.

Please check the Season Dates tab for annual updates on site availability.

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Location

Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

(Park address: 1800 S.C.R. 31; Loveland, CO 80537) Take I-25 to the Berthoud Exit (Exit 250). Turn left (west) onto Highway 56 and continue for 9 1/2 miles, passing through the town of Berthoud. At the foothills, the road will curve sharply to the right (north). Turn left (west) onto County Road 8E and continue for 3 miles to the entrance station where you can purchase permits.

Address

1800 SOUTH COUNTY ROAD 31
Loveland, CO 80537

Coordinates

40.31126104648491 N
105.22290130648612 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Reviewed May. 23, 2023

Noisy with a great view

We stayed two nights at T02. The good: you get a great view from the east side of Carter Lake. Access to the lake for kayaking and fishing could not be any more convenient. There’s plenty of privacy on the water right down the hill from these campsites. It’s close to the marina store, so if you need anything, you won’t have to travel far. There’s one bathroom at the campground which is nice too. The not so good: This is not a quiet and peaceful campsite. We stayed during the week too and still dealt with traffic noise and rowdy neighbors. Campers here don’t have respect for quiet hours at all either. The campsites are very close together and there are no trees in between to give you any sense of privacy. There’s also a school bus that came and turned around in the campground every single morning and afternoon, in addition to droves of motorcycles driving by all day long.

TLDR: Beautiful view and lake access, not quiet at all.

SiteT02
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake by Vincent P., May 23, 2023
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2021

Beautiful View

We stayed in spot T04 and had a beautiful view of the lake and mountains. Unfortunately it was really windy during our stay, but we will be back during the spring and summer.

SiteT04
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake by Jeremy C., October 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake by Jeremy C., October 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake by Jeremy C., October 15, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2021

Private water front site

We stayed at T02. It’s non electric with great view of the lake. There’s multiple beaches you can walk down too from your sites. It was a little big tight getting our 40ft trailer into the spot. I would recommend staying at eagle campground kitty corner across the damn. It’s got better sized sites for large campers and there’s day use parking at big Thompson. It was beautiful though and I wouldn’t change anything

SiteT02
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Oct. 6, 2020

Fantastic Time

Went in early October. No shade at the site. We stayed in site T03. Setting up camp and deer walked through the campground. The following morning a flock of wild turkeys took a stroll through. We were on a hill right above the water, but it was an easy walk down to the water. Did a lot of fishing. The first night we couldn't keep all the poles in the water we kept catching. Caught and released everything, including lots of crayfish. Quiet area. Did some geocaching as well. Had a great time. Bathrooms were very clean. Only downside was the day use fee on top of the camping fee and having to go to the kiosk everyday for a new day use pass. Loved our spot, will visit again.

  • Review photo of Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake by Lisa K., October 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake by Lisa K., October 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake by Lisa K., October 6, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 30, 2018

so chill

loved camping by the water. We culled in the shade and loved paddling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake has 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

Are fires allowed at Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Is there cell phone reception at Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is unknown.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake?

There are 3 campsites at Big Thomson Campground at Carter Lake and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts