Cascade Campground charges $25 per night and operates from mid-May through early September, with reservations available through Recreation.gov during peak season. The Forest Service facility sits along County Road 162 in Chalk Creek Canyon, about 9.5 miles west of Highway 285 past Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort. Campers should expect rough road conditions on the approach, particularly the narrowing sections closer to the historic ghost town of St. Elmo.
The campground spreads across both sides of the road with sites tucked among dense forest cover. Karen L. found "spacious and private sites, super clean restrooms, and a friendly but not intrusive campground host." Sites on the outside of the loop typically offer more space from neighbors, while interior spots provide closer proximity to facilities. Several reviewers mention the constant sound of Chalk Creek flowing across the road, which masks traffic noise from the occasional vehicle heading toward St. Elmo.
RV campers can accommodate rigs up to 73 feet with available water and sewer hookups. The campground provides drinking water, clean restrooms, and fire rings with locally-sourced firewood available for purchase. A trail connects from the east end of the campground toward the Narrow Gauge trail system, though campers report a steep section that requires caution with pets.
The location serves as a base for exploring St. Elmo ghost town, accessing nearby hot springs, and tackling four-wheel-drive routes like Tin Cup Pass. Cell service remains unavailable throughout the area. Sites fill quickly during summer months, though the campground host often tracks last-minute availability. Post-season camping occurs on a first-come basis after facilities close, with no amenities but free overnight stays for hardy campers willing to rough it.
For those wanting hookups closer to town, Mount Princeton campground sits 1.2 miles down-canyon with similar forest setting but easier road access.
Description
Overview
Cascade Campground is located in beautiful Chaffee County,__Colorado. This popular facility sits near Cascade Falls and is within 5 miles of a private hot springs resort, making it an ideal location for rest and relaxation. "First come, first served" does not necessarily mean that the site will be available when you get there. Someone may get there before you. This is a popular campground and is normally full starting on Friday, sometimes as early as Thursday, so plan accordingly.
Recreation
Stream fishing is best above Cascade Falls, just accross the road from the campground. Nearby Chalk Lake is heralded as a great family fishing lake with rainbow, brook and brown trout. Plenty of off-road vehicle trails are a short distance away.__Recommended rides include Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Hancock Lakes. Hiking in the area includes the Colorado Trail, The Narrow Gauge trail and the Cascade Loop Trail (Across from Chalk Lake Campground)
Facilities
The campground offers 21 single-family sites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Firewood is sold on-site. Sites #2- 7 and 11, 12 are "walk-up" first-come, first served. All other sites are reservable. Site #1 is used by the host from mid-May to Labor Day weekend. After that time it is available as a "walk-up", first-come, first-served site.
Natural Features
The campground is situated in a dense forest of Douglas fir and aspen at an elevation of 9,000 feet in Chalk Creek Canyon, which gets its name from the soft, white, chalk-like kaolinite canyon walls. Kaolinite is a clay mineral that was deposited by percolating hot springs. Chalk Creek is just across the road from the campground. It flows 27 miles eastward from the Collegiate Peaks before joining the Arkansas River. Chalk Lake is a mile east of the campground.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Nearby Attractions
Take a day trip to the historic ghost town of St. Elmo, just 15 minutes from the campground. An old saloon, county courthouse and many other historic structures remain from the days of its mining glory. The city of Salida and Town of Buena Vista are only a short drive away where visitors can enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops, incredible art galleries and a large selection of antique shops. The area boasts more than 100 miles of Arkansas River to raft, fish, float or kayak in. as well as fifteen 14,000 ft mountains. Visitors choose from recreational activities like hiking, biking, ATVing, kayaking, rafting, fishing, horseback riding, zipping, swimming
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCascade (colorado) is located in Colorado near Nathrop
Directions
From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 285 south to Nathrop. Turn west on County Road 162 and travel 9 miles to the campground.
Address
SALIDA RANGER DISTRICT OFFICE
INFORMATION ONLY (M-F 8AM-4:30PM) 719-539-3591
5575 CLEORA RD
Salida, CO 81201
Coordinates
38.7105556 N
106.2441667 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 6/22/26
VerizonPossible CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 6/22/26- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 6/22/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 6/22/26
- VerizonPossible CoverageVerified by 15 usersLast on 6/22/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 6/22/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 9 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 15 min from Pueblo, CO
- 2 hrs 31 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 41 min from Boulder, CO
