Fir and conifer canopy breaks up the open terrain at Alvarado Campground, a Forest Service site in San Isabel National Forest outside Westcliffe, Colorado, where sites range from shaded upper loops to more exposed lower areas with wider spacing. The road in carries a warning worth taking seriously: the gravel approach is washboarded in places, and conditions can vary by season. Once in, the campground runs along a creek corridor with views toward the Wet Mountains and Sangre de Cristo range, and the elevation keeps temperatures noticeably cooler than the surrounding valleys.
Site selection matters here more than at most campgrounds. Lower sites tend to be larger, more open, and more recently maintained, while upper sites are more wooded and spaced further apart. Laura S. notes the campground is "generally quiet, and in my experience rarely full," though a handful of reviewers mention noise from neighboring campers on busy summer weekends. Site 41 draws repeat visitors for its creek proximity and sense of seclusion. Large groups should check site dimensions carefully before booking, as some pads are too compact for oversized tents.
Trails leave directly from the campground. The Venable and Comanche trail systems are within reach, and campers report good access to high-country routes. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. Firewood is available for purchase from the camp host. Vault toilets are maintained regularly, and multiple water spigots and dumpsters are distributed across the loops. There are no bear boxes on site. Westcliffe is roughly 15 minutes away for resupply.
Alvarado runs from early May through mid-October. Reservations are available and recommended for summer weekends. The campground accommodates RVs up to 45 feet with water and sewer hookups. Cell service is reported as functional. Stan C. calls it one of the few Colorado campgrounds worth repeating, citing the tree cover, cooler temperatures, and site variety. Campers who want direct trail access, hookup availability, and a reliable camp host will find this a workable base for exploring the area. Those seeking places to camp near Westcliffe or the nearby Hermit Lake area have additional options within a short drive.
Description
Overview
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.
Recreation
Near the campground are several trailheads that provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities. All trails are open for horseback riding and hiking. The Rainbow Trail is a premier ATV and motorcycle trail. The non-motorized Comanche and Venable Trails lead into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness where waterfalls and alpine lakes may be enjoyed.
Facilities
Alvarado is divided into three unique areas. The lower level accommodates tents and RVs, the upper level is designed for walk-in tent campers, and part of the middle section caters to equestrian campers. There are no corrals but there is space to put portable corrals for horses. Parking aprons are dirt and gravel. Tent pads and lantern posts are located in the lower campsites only.
Natural Features
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 fires set in the early 1900's to clear pasture land, expose minerals and produce charcoal.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (719) 489-2034.
Nearby Attractions
Explore the Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway that takes drivers through the Wet Mountains and provides spectacular views of 22 peaks, all within the San Isabel National Forest.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
Fee Info
Extra Vehicle $8.00
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Stage 2 fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit all fires. Generators and fires or stoves that use liquid petroleum (LPG) fuels are permitted but must follow specific rules.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsAlvarado Campground is located in Colorado near Westcliffe
Public CampgroundDirections
From Westcliffe, CO, take State Route 69 south 3 miles to the campground sign (County Road 140). Turn right and go 1.8 miles to the stop sign. Continue straight through the stop sign for 2.8 miles until you hit another stop sign (RD 141). Turn left onto RD 141 and continue 2.1 miles to campground. (Note: RD 141 becomes dirt/gravel after 0.4 miles.)
Address
Co. Rd. 140
Westcliffe, CO 81212
Coordinates
38.0788889 N
105.5633333 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/15/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 8/15/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/15/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/15/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 8/15/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/15/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 21 min from Pueblo, CO
- 1 hr 51 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 42 min from Denver, CO
- 3 hrs 6 min from Boulder, CO
