Ruby Mountain Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Really gorgeous camping spot with easy access to tons of different outdoor activities. Tent sites are very well maintained and very beautiful. Walk-in sites are very close to parking, I would barely consider them walk-in sites. My only complaint is that the tent pads are made of gravel and therefore extremely hard to properly stake down tents.

Beautiful campground, great campsites, only issue was toilet paper not being restocked almost entirety of 4 day stay.

The campsite has an awesome view of the mountains and at some sites the river as well. If your not by the river you don't get much shade. Most importantly the address is incorrect while trying to find your way here use the coordinates they are correct

It’s further than I thought but worth $28 after a week boondocking. You’re meant to make reservations so I did but there’s a lot of empty spots. I’d like to stay longer.

Ruby Mountain Campground is part of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area with some of the best whitewater rapids in the World. This is a basic campground with the camp sites designed in levels. The tent area is located on top of the campground. Below, it is the fire ring and the dining table. Your car is parked in the lower level. I recommend 1307 and 1306 which are higher ground. There are lot of 4x4 trials that are part of the Four Mile travel Management Area not suitable for All Wheel Drive vehicles. There are a few camp sites along the river which are part of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area that are worth the visit. Fishing is also an option. Highly recommended specially with kids.

This spot was beautiful. Right on the river. Many people were out fishing. This spot has access to UTV trails. It’s a smaller campground. It was quiet and peaceful for a one night stay. There’s is no water or electric or dump station. Keep in mind the access road into the camp is very narrow. Your best bet is to have someone be a look out and clear the road because your in between a rock and cliff. Just be prepared for a narrow entry

My family stayed here last summer and we’re not disappointed. The lack of shade (upper spaces) and not a lot of choices for big-rigs are the only downsides here. Here are the positives:

• Great access to the Arkansas River (fishing, put-in/ - take/out access)
• Very well-maintained spaces and clean bathrooms
• Minutes from rafting outfitters (we always go through Noah’s Ark. Great customer service and experienced guides)
• Close to Buena Vista
• Family friendly area with lots of access to public trails around Ruby Mountain

Enjoy!

First of all, all vehicles have to have a daily pass (in addition to the camp site reservation) which is $9 cash. We had site 1322, which was the furthest away from others and furthest away from the high amount of cars at the river. We would stay again but only at site 1322. The others are way too close to each other and the traffic on the road.

Pros: nice fire pit, good amount of space for tent, bathrooms are clean, there are men’s/women’s changing rooms (no showers), easy access to the river.

Cons: very little shade, a bit expensive for what it is, no drinking water.

None better for privacy and views, access to the river

Great campground. Some tight roads getting into and around the campground. The road in is a single lane with river on one side and rocks on the other. Some of the arms to the sites are also narrow. To park in our site we had to turn around and it was a tight spot. The site was perfect. Lots of big rocks. Spots were far enough apart. Will mark this as a definite to return to.

The views here never get old! If you like the collegiate peaks views plus the sound of the river come here! Fishing is good but during the day, depending on the time of the year, you will get the white water rafters. I enjoy watching them. There is good hiking a very shot drive or walk from the campground. People also come here for the ATV trails which are close but far enough not to bother the campground. Dry camping. No water. No trash. Pack it out. Bathrooms available.

This is a beautifully designed campground. Must have had a landscape architect. Not only would I stay here again I am going to do so in September, 2020 just after having been there in July, 2020. We preferred# 5(1305) with its multilevel areas. There are two extreme negatives that must be noted: 1> The road in and out narrows to a one lane road without any indications of oncoming traffic. I don't know what would happen if two 34' fifth wheels were to meet on this narrow section of the road. Something should be done to indicate oncoming traffic. 2> The fee would be reasonable--though still high for campsites with NO hookups at all, but the$9.00 daily vehicle fee added on makes this expensive for sites. The only justifications are location on the river and the beautifully laid out campground and sites. We camped at Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, Ruby Mountain Campground in a Fifth Wheel.

Brown's Canyon trailhead is a short walk from the campground, which is nice. Clean bathrooms which is a plus. Fished in the Nestle easement just upstream from the campground--pretty good. Note that the property downstream from the boat ramp is private and the resident land owners strictly enforce it, so fish upstream only.

Dry camping at its best. The late season camping offers a more quiet and private experience at this campground. Fishing was great. Hiking is fun and the stars were amazing at night. No host this time but that is ok. Bathroom was functional. There is no water or trash at this campground. Sites are nicely spaced and their well maintained.

I started camping here in the late 90’s and although a lot has changed some things never do. It is a well kept place with plenty for everyone to do.

We’ve stayed here before and we love it! The sunrise and sunset views of the river, canyon and Mt. Princeton are impressive. Sites are large and renovated a few years ago. Dogs were entertained watching the chipmunks walk in front of them. Great hike near by. Great fishing too walking distance. Short driving distance to Buena Vista and/or Salida. Excellent cell service. Clean bathrooms. No showers, no available water, no trash. Pack it in, pack it out.

.

Beautiful views and river access. We were the only people camping that night.

If you like to be by water and enjoy quiet and amazing views this is the place to be. The campground was remodeled in 2016 and the host keeps it in great condition. There is not a lot of shade but the temperatures stayed comfortable due to the proximity to the river. There was a nice breeze took. Couple of hikes very close. The tent area it’s right on the river. However, it gets crowded. The sites are nice space and not too close.

This campground was pristine and all the campsites were very well maintained. Nice camping pad, picnic table, and fire pit. We stayed in spot #14 which would be highly recommended. The river provides great white noise and this campground is far enough off the highway to avoid any vehicle noise. Great spot!

Great for rafting and beutifull views of the colegiant peaks.

It tends to get hot during the day and much cooler at night - made for great hiking and camping. It is right beside Brown’s Canyon that has multiple trails to hike and ATV trails. The river is also very close by - some spots even ride along the river. There are many cows in the area so expect loud mooing. We also saw some big horn sheep!!! Lots of wild life in this area, be aware always. There is also a few hot springs nearby - we drove to mt. Princeton. At any of the campsites, there are astounding views of the Collegiate peaks! Really awesome set up too for the sites. This campground has an Amphitheatre even! Bring your guitar, fishing pole, and tent and you’re good to go.