Managed by the USDA Forest Service within the campgrounds near PSICC, Blue Mountain Campground sits on the backside of Eleven Mile Canyon, positioning it away from the heavier road traffic that runs through the canyon itself. The roughly 20-site loop is set among conifer shade, and reviewers consistently note that the sites are well-spaced, giving groups room to spread out without feeling compressed. Some road noise does carry into camp, particularly for sites closer to the road, but multiple visitors report it as noticeably less than what they experienced at canyon-side alternatives.
Cleanliness is one of the most frequently mentioned qualities here. Jennifer C. calls them "super super clean campsites and so were the bathrooms," and that sentiment runs through nearly a dozen reviews spanning several years. The camp host draws consistent praise for being available and welcoming. All sites include a picnic table and fire ring, and the vault toilets are well-maintained according to multiple visitors. Firewood is available from the host, though at least one reviewer suggests sourcing it elsewhere to save money.
The Hard Rock Trailhead sits inside the campground, giving direct access to a roughly three-mile out-and-back route that leads to an overlook of the South Platte River and connects to Riverside campground below. Fishing draws some visitors to the area, and 11 Mile Canyon Dispersed Camping is nearby for those who want a less structured setup. Verizon users report consistent LTE signal at the campsite, with 5G available a short distance up the trail.
Reservations are available and recommended for summer weekends, as the campground fills around holidays. Weekday visitors in fall have reported having the site nearly to themselves. The access road carries a rough-road warning, so lower-clearance vehicles should factor that in. RVs up to 35 feet can use the water and sewer hookups, and the campground is open year-round. Blue Mountain works well for campers who want established amenities, trailhead access, and proximity to Eleven Mile Canyon without committing to the busier sites inside it.
Description
Overview
Blue Mountain Campground sits between Eleven Mile Canyon with the South Platte River to the north and the peak of Blue Mountain to the south, creating an impressive location for recreation and diverse scenery. The campground is primitive and quiet, creating a peaceful outdoor experience for guests. Hiking, biking, rock climbing in the canyon and trout fishing in the river are popular pastimes.
Recreation
Hard Rock Interpretive Trail, accessible from the campground, is a 1-mile self-guided interpretive trail that leads to an impressive overlook of Eleven Mile Canyon. The trail explores the diverse life of the region and offers a chance to see plenty of wildlife and take photos of the sweeping views. Rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout can be caught from the South Platte River. Benches and Picnic Areas along the river allow anglers to relax in comfort waiting for a fish to bite.
Facilities
Blue Mountain offers more than 20 reservable campsites. Parking aprons are dirt and gravel and there are two vault toilets. Drinking water from a water pump. Each site comes with a picnic table, camp fire ring,__and enough space to park two vehicles.
Natural Features
The campground, at 8,200 feet, sits on a hill a half-mile from the South Platte River. Campsites are nicely spaced on a single loop among scattered ponderosa pine. 3,405-acre Eleven Mile Reservoir feeds into the South Platte River that carves through the Eleven Mile Canyon.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Nearby Attractions
Visit the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado.
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.
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!
PIKE-SAN ISABEL NATIONAL FORESTS & CIMARRON AND COMANCHE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS** STAGE 1 FIRE PROHIBITIONS **** PROHIBITIONS**Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551 and 36 C.F.R. 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) in the Leadville, Salida, San Carlos, Pikes Peak, South Park and South Platte Ranger Districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, hereinafter referred to as the Described Area:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in
- A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);
- A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
- A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.36 CFR 261.52(a).
- Using an explosive. 36 C.F.R. 261.52(b)
- Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. 36 CFR 261.52(d)
- Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 36 CFR 261.52(h) EXEMPTIONS Pursuantto36 C.F.R.261.50(e), thefollowingpersons areexemptfrom thisOrder:
- Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
- Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting service in the performance of an official duty. DESCRIBEDAREA All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the Pikes Peak, South Platte, South Park, Leadville, Salida and San Carlos Ranger Districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, as depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A of this Order. PURPOSE Thepurposeof this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety. IMPLEMENTATION
- This Order shall be in effect from August 21, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. through August November 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBlue Mountain Campground is located in Colorado near Lake George
RV ParkDirections
From Lake George, Colorado, turn off of Highway 24 onto County Road 96. Follow the road for about a 1 1/2 miles towards Eleven Mile Canyon. The campground is just up the way on the right\_\_ hand side just past the entrance of Eleven Mile Canyon on County Road 61.
Coordinates
38.9613889 N
105.3613889 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTEGood CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 9/10/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 9/10/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/20/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTEGood CoverageVerified by 14 usersLast on 9/10/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 9/10/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/20/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 54 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 1 hr 14 min from Pueblo, CO
- 1 hr 43 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 6 min from Boulder, CO
