Established Camping
St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel
St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel, near Canon City, Colorado, is a fantastic spot for those looking to escape into nature. With a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations, it caters to a variety of camping styles, making it a popular choice for families and friends alike.
The campground is known for its beautiful, secluded sites surrounded by trees, providing a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors often rave about the nearby river's soothing sounds and the stunning views of Lake Isabel, perfect for kayaking and fishing. One camper mentioned, “The sound of the nearby river is very relaxing,” highlighting the serene environment.
Amenities include drinking water and trash disposal, but keep in mind there are no electric hookups or showers. Campers appreciate the rustic feel, with some even enjoying the lack of cell service as a chance to disconnect. As one happy visitor put it, “That made it even better, got the chance to disconnect from the world for a few days.”
For those who love hiking, there are trails nearby that lead to breathtaking views and wildlife sightings, including deer and chipmunks. The campground also has a store and restaurant that’s received positive feedback for its improvements. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a longer stay, St Charles Campground offers a great blend of relaxation and outdoor adventure.
Description
US Forest Service
San Isabel National Forest
Overview
Nestled among aspen and tall Douglas fir trees, St. Charles Campground is in a quiet part of the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. Located on the banks of St. Charles Creek, the campground is popular with campers who enjoy the sounds of water tumbling through the shaded boulders.
Recreation
Lake Isabel is stocked with brown and rainbow trout. The accessible lakeshore path provides ample fishing spots. Brook trout can be found in St. Charles Creek. Several trails begin at the recreation area. Hiking opportunities include the Snowslide Trail and the Cisneros Trail. Both trails are also open to motorcycles, and Cisneros is a challenging ATV route.
Natural Features
The campground sits a mile west of Lake Isabel in the Wet Mountains, a beautiful range in the San Isabel National Forest. At an elevation of 8,600 feet, Lake Isabel was designed and constructed in the 1930s as a recreational haven from the dusty plains far below. Rugged mountain peaks in the area provide water for the abundant wildlife and fish populations.
Nearby Attractions
A nearby lodge offers 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
St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel is located in Colorado
Directions
From Pueblo, go 25 miles south on I-25 to exit 74. Drive west 18 miles on state Highway 165. Turn into the main entrance at Lake Isabel Recreation Area and drive to Forest Road 374, the second left. Follow signs to the campground.
Address
SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT
3028 EAST MAIN STREET
Canon city, CO 81212
Coordinates
37.9811111 N
105.0655556 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiPoor
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 46 min from Pueblo
- 1 hr 25 min from Colorado Springs
- 2 hrs 18 min from Denver
- 2 hrs 41 min from Boulder
