Part of Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Ruby Mountain Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Ruby Mountain is located a few miles south of Buena Vista Colorado along the Arkansas River.  The site can be accessed from the main highway down a dirt and gravel road.  The road is single lane near the end and a bit precarious with the rock cliff on one side and the river on the other. The main attraction here is the river.   The boat ramp provides access to private users and the backup for commercial users when the river is low.  The have about 30 campsites here all facing the west with great views of the mountains and the river.  The sites are the best we have seen.  The have boulders outlining each of the sites with gravel underneath for tents.  The sites can accommodate large fifth trailers and vans as well.  Each sites is equipped with picnic tables and fire rings.  The site host is awesome.  He provided free firewood and welcome us shortly after arriving.   We stayed for three nights and it was great.  We had beautiful sunsets and great views of the Rockies to the west.  They have clean toilets and a great boat ramp for white water rafters.  The have some short hikes in the surrounding rocky hills and also some good fishing in the river.  We are coming back here for sue.  

Our Top Colorado River Site 

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.

Beautiful spot by the river and by Brown’s Canyon!

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 location by the river

Ruby Mountain has to be one of the best, if not the best, of the Arkansas Headwaters camping sites. Nestled just south of Buena Vista and right next to Nathrop, this campsite has stunning views and is just a walk away from some great Brown's Canyon trails. And unlike a couple of the other AHRA campsites, this one's is a little ways off the main road, so you'll get some peace and quite.

While here, we stayed at both site 3 and 17. We started at site 3, which is up near the top of the main central section and then moved to 17 due to the winds coming from the SW. Site 3, and the others in the central section, had a wonderful view down to the river and across the valley to beautiful snowy mountain peaks. Site 17 is a walk-in site down in the center of the section closest to the river. It provides cover from SSW winds, some shade with the large trees, and pleasant river noises.

We were lucky enough to get here the weekend before Memorial Day and had the campsite to ourselves 3 out of the 4 nights here. Reservations are required, so make sure you call the number or visit their site to confirm sites are available and place your reservation. Same day reservations are accepted.

Each site is broken down into two or three different sections, and they're all gravel. You have a space for your tent, and the fire and picnic table sections are either together or separate depending on the site.

The only amenity you have is toilets. You also need to make sure you bring something to pack your trash, because dumpsters are not present here. There is also no running water.

Oh, and my wife saw a mountain lion early one morning in the small section of sites furthest from the river. There were also plenty of mountain goats and deer to see as well.

Overall, it's a beautiful site if you're cool with only vault toilets (you're camping after all...). Buena Vista is a pretty cool little town to visit and has a supermarket with firewood if needed. The little mountain roads across the valley are also worth checking out. And if you have dogs, they're welcome here! We brought our three dogs and the rangers are extremely nice and helpful.

Stunning Site

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.

Stunning views!

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

One of the best campsites we visited.  We were the only people there.  We are from Louisiana so we lucked out that our break allowed us to visit during off season.  

Really nice campsite.

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.

Quiet yet close to a lot of action

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. 

I still love this place

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.

The best views of the collegiates 

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&gt; 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&gt; 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.

On the Arkansas River and well designed campsites

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.

Amazing views!

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. 

Lucky find campground

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.

Our site was great

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 

Dry camping with a view 

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. 

Basic Campground with a lot of charm

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. 

Peaceful cg on the river

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 

Great views and decent space 

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