Chalk Creek Campground & RV Park, near Nathrop, Colorado, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a few comforts. The campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, many of which are conveniently located right by the creek, providing a soothing backdrop of flowing water.

Campers appreciate the clean facilities, including well-maintained bathrooms and coin-operated showers. As one visitor noted, “The campground was very clean,” which is a sentiment echoed by many who have stayed here. The staff is friendly and accommodating, making sure your stay is as pleasant as possible.

If you're into fishing or rafting, you're in luck! The campground is close to the Arkansas River and Chalk Creek, making it easy to dive into some water activities. Plus, it’s just a short drive to Buena Vista for dining and shopping, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer adventure, Chalk Creek Campground has the essentials for a great camping experience.

Chalk Creek Campground & RV Park

Searching for the best camping near Nathrop, CO? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Discover great camping spots near Nathrop, reviewed by campers like you.

Nathrop

The Best Camping Near Nathrop, Colorado

We love Buena Vista. Chalk Creek is in a great location, right across from a fantastic river rafting outfitter and across the hwy and a short drive up the mountain to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. We spent a day doing both. We were able to camp right on the water and enjoyed falling asleep to the sounds of running water. The camp site is clean, has nice bathrooms and we would stay again. 

Great Location

Nice campground in the lower camp. Spaces are tight though. 5 miles to hot springs or town. Nice creek access. Playground slide dangerous but kids love it. Good if you have quiet neighbors. Staff is very friendly. Would come again

 Nice but close camping

I prefer more primitive campgrounds but we needed electricity for a friend's CPAP. Very nice clean facility. Staff is terrific and do an amazing job preparing each site after they are vacated. Lower campground is beautiful. It's down in the trees and right on the river. Upper is nice just not much shade. Amenities are good. Clean showers and bathrooms, laundry and a small store. Showers cost unfortunately. I would stay here again even though I like the primitive campgrounds better but I'd make sure it was in the lower section. 

Nice campground

We attended and stayed here for a off road group event in September and was perfect for our large group. The meadow campground area has sites right on the creek! We returned later in the fall to take in the scenery and had a nice spot on the creek. The facilities are very clean and the staff is friendly. Added bonus... it’s close to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs!! Camping and hot springs....ahhhhh.


A nice home base for the Mt Princeton, Buena Vista and Salida area

This is a nice and quiet RV Camp with two levels, upper and lower.  The Lower Level is our favorite with loads more trees.

Nice and Quiet with Trees

If you need a convenient stopover for a night, this place is fine.  However, you are in a beautiful part of the country and can do much better.  There are a few spots along a creek that are nice, but with most you feel like you are in a parking lot. 

Bad Road Noise

We stayed here for two nights and did not want to leave. Great location between Buena Vista and Salida. We had a site right on the creek. Easy access to Arkansas River off the highway for fishing and we drove up to St. Elmo which is a gorgeous drive to the mountains. Again, not enough time in this area in two days. 

Wish I could have stayed longer

Rv sites in lower meadow are great. We camped in a tent on weekend on site T12. AMAMZING river front meadow site. The last weekend we used a travel trailer and it rained all weekend so we were glad to have a trailer this time. The water is warm because it is below mt princeton hot springs. 

Rv and Tent sites

As another reviewer said, the location of this campground is great.  It's an easy drive to Buena Vista and close to most river rafting companies if you're rafting down the Arkansas.  I was in the area to do some hiking and I had my choice of trails within a half hour drive.  
I can't say enough about the kind and accommodating camp hosts.  They were friendly, professional and answered all of my questions about the campground.  The bathrooms were clean and the shower rooms were updated, clean and spacious.  
I tent camped for 3 nights, staying in 2 different tent spots during my time, and my review varies greatly for each of those spots.  First night I was in spot A right next to the creek and it was lovely.  The sound of the creek was soothing and it was peaceful since only tents were near by.  Unfortunately, the wifi and cell reception (TMobile) were nearly non-existent from here.  
The other nights I was in spot I and it was anything but relaxing.  That spot sits at the bottom of the hill right below 285 and the traffic noise was significant all day long, especially on the weekends. The campers one site over ended up leaving during their stay because of this noise.  It might be fine if these were RV spots since you could be inside and have the traffic noise muffled but it doesn't work for tents.  And at the back of the site is an irrigation line/ditch so mosquitos were a constant.   The one plus to this spot is that wifi coverage was much better (presumably because I was closer to the office?). 
I'd stay here again if I could get a site along the creek but otherwise I'd try someplace new.

Choose your site wisely

The campground is very clean and well maintained.  The staff was very friendly and accommodating.  We had a spot creekside and it was beautiful.  The only reason we didn’t give a 5 star rating is because of how close the spots were.  Other than that we completely enjoyed ourselves. 

A Creek Runs Thru It

The owners and workers are very polite and helpful. The grounds are very clean and well kept. We stayed at the RV site in the lower campground right on the creek. Beautiful setting with fire pit, 30 amp hookup and picnic table. Very level ground. Firewood and modest amenities available at the office. Water is available to fill water reserve tank on RV and also a dump station on site. Beautiful mountain options on both sides. St Elmo, Mount Princeton, and Chalk Lake are a short drive with amazing views. Bath house is super clean - coin operated showers but lots of room, outlets near counter and sink area and clean bathroom stalls. Laundry facility is also located at the end of the bathhouse on the upper campground. Upper campground has very few trees. Lower campground is near creek and has beautiful trees to shade. 

Very clean and well set up campground

The people were very friendly and the grounds seem well tended.  They have an upper loop and lower.  We camped in site 29 w/ electric only.  Our slide in truck campers backed up to the creek which was a nice sound buffer from the highway. 

Not bad for camping next to the highway 

Great access for fishin and rafting on Arkansas river and chalk creek. Sites are on chalk creek. Easy drive to buena vista for restaurants and groceries  
Friend ly and knowable staff. 

Chalk creek campground 

We really loved this park - we stayed in the lower part near the creek. The park is well taken care of and the staff, OMG, they were excellent!! Big shout out to Tom. We needed to move three times, no big deal at all but they went overboard to thank us for not minding! Just super caring and aware staff. Thanks so much!!

Excellent place

DO NOT STAY HERE!!!!! It’s a rip off!!!! I arrived at 3pm as they were closing their door. The site I had was lovely however, there are no bathrooms in the lower area by the river. Only portolets. No problem I’ll walk up the hill to the ladies room way up the hill. Code didn’t work. The slop sink was out of order, the lower bathrooms were out of order. I actually need water to dishes wash my face and for the price they charge an actual bathroom would be nice. Furthermore, right next to the road. I left. Who knows if I will be refunded. I’ve been on the road for 3 months and this is the ABSOLUTE WORST place. Furthermore you need to pay for your shower.


If I could give a zero

Campground was very clean. Showers and laundry requires quarters. 

Photos of Chalk Creek Campground & RV Park

Real photos from real campers