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Established Camping

Big Creek Lakes Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Big Creek Lakes Campground, near the Colorado-Wyoming border, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature at a high elevation. With its stunning mountain views and proximity to beautiful lakes, it’s a prime location for hiking, fishing, and simply soaking in the scenery.

This campground is known for its spacious sites, many of which offer direct access to the water. Visitors have noted that the sites are well-maintained, featuring sturdy picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for evening gatherings. As one camper shared, “The area is beautiful, we had the greatest time hiking and fishing.”

While you won’t find showers or electric hookups here, the fresh drinking water is a highlight, tasting like melted snow. The campground is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure. Just be prepared for a bit of a trek to get here; the drive involves navigating some rough gravel roads, but the breathtaking views at the end make it worthwhile.

For those who enjoy wildlife, keep your eyes peeled for chipmunks, deer, and even moose during your stay. With plenty of trails to explore and a serene atmosphere, Big Creek Lakes Campground is a solid choice for a memorable outdoor experience.

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Location

Big Creek Lakes Campground is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Walden, follow Route 125 north for 9 miles into Cowdrey. Turn left (west) onto CR 6W and travel 18 miles to Pearl. Turn onto Forest Road 600 and drive for 6 miles, following signs to campground.

Address

PARKS RANGER DISTRICT
CO

Coordinates

40.9363889 N
106.6116667 W

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Connectivity

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 9, 2025

Earlier years

My family used to visit this lake a few times in the mid to late 60’s and looking at what it is now, I’m glad we enjoyed it with much less people and more rustic campsites. Loved swimming in the cold clear water and have loads of photos, my favorite is my dad standing at the lectern in the chapel pretending to preach a hellfire and damnation sermon!! Good memories…Great times.

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2022

Beautiful Mountain View’s

The area is beautiful, we had the greatest time hiking and fishing. There were many other campers, everyone was mostly respectful. Spot 23 is where we stayed and the pull through drive way is on a wicked hill. Made it tricky getting the camper level. I was surprised to see so much litter down at the lake. Lots of cigarette butts at the day use areas. Really sad to see in such a perfect example of nature.

Site23
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Sara F., August 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Sara F., August 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Sara F., August 9, 2022
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 8, 2019

9,000 feet elevation camping

Big Creek Lakes Campground, Colorado (close to Wyoming border): camping here is only open for 3 months out of the year: June, July & August. It's camping at over 9,000ft elevation and requires for you to be extra prepared for snow even in the summer months, bears, mountain lions, mosquitos, aggressive horse flies, leeches, strong winds, thunder storms and altitude sickness. They do provide water which tastes fresh like newly melted snow. You can boat, fish, even hunt at some spots with a permit, hike, and swim at your own risk (can be cold, leeches, snakes). It is truly beautiful up here and the drive up the Poudre river makes it worth it. You can also spend the day rafting down the river or fishing.

  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Rosina A., August 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Rosina A., August 8, 2019
  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Rosina A., August 8, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2019

Great spot for a long weekend

Great spot for car camping in Colorado except its distance from Denver. It’s a trek! Takes at least 4 hours (that’s if you’re lucky). Lots to do. Great fishing, beautiful hiking trails to a water fall, and trails for the RZR near by.

  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Liz B., July 17, 2019
  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Liz B., July 17, 2019
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  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2018

Beautiful, remote gem in the Rockies

We camped here July 25th-29th, 2018 with our 5 children (4-13) in our pop up camper. 

First thing to know is this is a remote area of CO at 9,000+ ft. elevation. It is also an area that has been affected by wildfire (2016). It is still absolutely gorgeous!

Worst part—> You will have to travel down a gravel/dirt road for ~30 miles to get to the lake and campground. Sections of it are TERRIBLY washboarded. Plan for over an hour to navigate through. You will be rewarded at the end! 

There is zero cell service (we have Sprint and Verizon), no electric/water/sewer hook ups or bathhouses. There are pit toilets throughout the campground that appeared to be very well maintained and cleaned often. There are also numerous water spigots throughout with potable water. 

The sites are all HUGE, almost all are pull through and many offer beautiful lake views with trails directly from your campsite to the water. We were in site 14. It did not have a water view, but was still amazing. All sites are gravel and appear to be fairly level. Most have pine trees, boulders and other natural landscaping that adds to the beauty of the campground. Very nice metal fire pits and sturdy, large picnic tables (though many are slightly bowed) were present at each site we saw. Bear proof dumpsters were easily accessible. 

We had hundreds of chipmunks visit us each day to clean up the kids’ crumbs. We also saw antelope and deer on the drive in and several moose, elk and a coyote off the highway heading to RMNP. 

There are two trailheads in the campground, lots of areas to fish, a boat dock and horse corral. 

This was our very first run at dry camping. We were 10 hours from home with 5 kids! We may be crazy, but lots of memories were made and we are calling this trip a big success! 

This campground was only $10/night and a true hidden gem in the Rockies. (Those roads though...ugh!)

Site14
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Sarah C., August 3, 2018
  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Sarah C., August 3, 2018
  • Review photo of Big Creek Lakes Campground by Sarah C., August 3, 2018
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Big Creek Lakes Campground located in Colorado?

Big Creek Lakes Campground is located in a remote area of northern Colorado, close to the Wyoming border. The campground sits at an elevation of over 9,000 feet in a mountainous region. It's approximately 4+ hours drive from Denver, making it quite isolated from major population centers. The remote location offers pristine natural surroundings but requires significant travel time to reach. Visitors should plan accordingly for the long journey to this secluded mountain destination.

What camping facilities are available at Big Creek Lakes Campground?

Big Creek Lakes Campground offers primitive camping facilities at over 9,000 feet elevation. The campground features designated campsites with pull-through driveways (though some sites are on steep slopes making leveling tricky). Facilities are basic and designed for both tent camping and accommodating campers/RVs. The area has hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and swimming access to the lake's clear, cold water. Visitors should be prepared for remote camping with minimal amenities and bring necessary supplies as the campground is far from civilization.

Is there a map available for Big Creek Lakes Campground?

Yes, maps of Big Creek Lakes Campground are available through the U.S. Forest Service website and at ranger stations in the area. These maps show the campground layout, individual site numbers (like site #23), hiking trails to nearby attractions such as the waterfall, and access to fishing spots. Since this is a remote location, it's advisable to obtain a detailed map before arrival, as cell service may be unreliable in the area. Contact the local Forest Service office for the most up-to-date maps and trail information.

Are there photos of Big Creek Lakes Campground I can view before visiting?

Yes, photos of Big Creek Lakes Campground are available online through various camping websites, including The Dyrt. These images showcase the campground's beautiful mountain setting, lake views, and surrounding wilderness. Photos typically display the campsite layouts, the scenic lake, hiking trails, and the chapel area. While the area experienced wildfire damage in 2016, recent photos show it remains gorgeous with stunning alpine scenery. For the most current visual representation, check official Forest Service websites or camping platforms before your trip.