Within San Isabel National Forest, La Vista Campground provides access to Lake Isabel with full hookups for RVs up to 45 feet. The US Forest Service manages this seasonal campground from May through September, charging $30-35 per night for sites that include electric, water, and sewer connections.
The campground sits within walking distance of Lake Isabel, though campers note the access involves multiple flights of stairs lined with railroad ties. Jim W. describes the facility as "pretty rustic but clean," with electrical hookups that prove useful during hot summer days. Sites are positioned closely together, and awnings may face neighboring campers directly. The area offers fishing opportunities, with some anglers finding success near the dam using floating flies.
Vault toilets and potable water are available, though water cannot be connected directly to RVs. Cell service and WiFi are not available at the campground. The facility allows pets and provides firewood for purchase. Several other campgrounds operate around Lake Isabel, including Southside Campground - Lake Isabel and St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel.
Reservations are accepted for this drive-in and walk-in accessible campground that accommodates both tent campers and large RVs seeking lake access in the Colorado mountains.
Description
Overview
La Vista Campground is situated in a meadow overlooking the west side of the 40-acre Lake Isabel. It is set along the Frontier Pathways and Historic Byway in the Wet Mountains along one of the Colorado Birding Trails. Lake Isabel is one of the few lakes in Colorado developed purely for recreation purposes. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the lake attracts many campers who come to hike, canoe, fish and spend time bird watching. St. Charles Creek flows near the campground and offers additional fishing opportunities.
Recreation
Lake Isabel welcomes non-motorized boating and fishing. Brown and brook trout are stocked in the lake and the St. Charles headwaters reap brook trout. Visitors can enjoy hiking, bicycling or motorcycling on either the Snow Slide Trail and Cisneros Trail. The 15-mile Cisneros Trail, also open to ATV riders, leads to the heart of the Wet Mountains, through forests and open, wildflower speckled valleys. Along the way, the trail connects to St. Charles Trail, which heads to St. Charles Peak.
Facilities
Walk-in tent sites are 15 to 50 yards from the parking spurs. RV sites come with electric hookups and all sites include a picnic table, campfire ring and access to vault toilets and drinking water.
Natural Features
Shady pine and aspen trees are scattered throughout the campground. At 8,600 feet, the area enjoys cool summer days, a welcome relief from the heat in the plains far below. The Pike and San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (719) 489-2034.
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 & DirectionsLa Vista Campground is located in Colorado near Beulah
Directions
From Pueblo, go 25 miles south on Interstate 25 to exit 74. Drive west 18 miles on State Highway 165. Turn into the main entrance at Lake Isabel Recreation Area, then turn right into the first campground on the right (about 1.25 miles).
Address
SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT
3028 EAST MAIN STREET
Canon city, CO 81212
Coordinates
37.9844444 N
105.0594444 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
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)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 46 min from Pueblo, CO
- 1 hr 25 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 18 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 41 min from Boulder, CO









