Established Camping
La Vista Campground - Lake Isabel
La Vista Campground - Lake Isabel, near Canon City, Colorado, is a scenic spot that offers a rustic camping experience with a touch of comfort. With electrical hookups available, it’s a solid choice for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors without completely roughing it.
This campground is known for its beautiful surroundings, with visitors often highlighting the stunning views and the peaceful atmosphere. Many campers appreciate the clean restrooms and the friendly campground hosts who respect your space while being available if you need assistance. As one happy camper put it, “Loved the setting and the short walk to Lake Isabel,” making it easy to enjoy a day by the water.
For outdoor activities, you’re just a short stroll from Lake Isabel, which is perfect for fishing and kayaking. Some folks have mentioned that the fishing is best from the dam area, so if you’re into that, it’s worth checking out. Just keep in mind that the path to the lake can be a bit of a workout, especially if you’re hauling kayaks down the stairs.
While the campground has its quirks, like the close proximity of sites and some limitations on parking, the overall vibe is welcoming and laid-back. Whether you’re camping with family or just looking for a peaceful retreat, La Vista Campground has a lot to offer for a memorable outdoor getaway.
Description
National Forest
PSICC
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.
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.
Nearby Attractions
A nearby lodge provides paddle and rowboat rentals, groceries and a restaurant. Golf courses are about 15 minutes away.
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.
Location
La Vista Campground - Lake Isabel is located in Colorado
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
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiAvailable
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
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
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly