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Established Camping

Mount Princeton

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Mount Princeton, near Nathrop, Colorado, is a picturesque campground that offers a true escape into nature. With sites that sit alongside the rushing Chalk Creek, it’s a prime spot for those looking to unwind and soak in stunning mountain views.

This campground is perfect for tent campers and RVs, though keep in mind there are no electric hookups or showers. Visitors have praised the peaceful ambiance, with one camper noting, “The creek was rushing so hard you could hear it and it was very peaceful.” Fire rings and picnic tables are available, making it easy to enjoy meals outdoors and gather around the fire at night.

For adventure seekers, Mount Princeton is surrounded by a wealth of outdoor activities. Hiking trails lead to breathtaking waterfalls, and the nearby ghost town of St. Elmo is a must-see. Plus, if you’re in the mood for relaxation, the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs are just a short drive away, offering a perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring.

While some campers have mentioned the lack of cell service and Wi-Fi, this only adds to the charm of disconnecting and enjoying the great outdoors. With its beautiful scenery and tranquil setting, Mount Princeton is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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Location

Mount Princeton is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 285 south to Nathrop. Turn west on County Road 162 and travel 7 miles to the campground.

Coordinates

38.7141667 N
106.2227778 W

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Connectivity

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry 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

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2021

Beautiful High

Sites: 17 

Fee: $22.00 per night $7.00 day use 

Reservations: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

Open: Mid May- Mid Sep 

Check out 12 PM Prior to Memorial Day, sites may be FCFS but water and host might not be available. 

Fire ring, picnic table, tent pad, pit toilets, doggie poo bags, bear box, no showers, electric hookups This is a beautiful campground and you just can't go wrong on this mountain. The surrounding mountain views are just amazing. The creek is cascading along the rocky creek bed and is the perfect way to zen out. The ghost town of St Elmos intriguing so make sure you head up to the top of the mountain to check out a Colorado ghost town.

LNT

BTWYFI 

Safe travels

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by N I., October 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by N I., October 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by N I., October 31, 2021
  • (20) View All
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2021

Beauty on the Mountain

Fee: $22.00 Day use fee $7.00 There is a self service tube available 

Check out 12:00 noon Quiet time 10:00 pm to 6:00 am 

Fire ring/grill, picnic table, tent sites, pit toilets, doggie poo bags, some bear boxes Pads and road have a base of gravel 

Before Memorial Day weekend the sites may be FCFS, but host and water may not be available. 

During peak season you may reserve by calling 800-444-6777 or on line at recreation.gov No showers or electrical hookups are available. There are two handicapped-accessible toilets. Water is by way of a handpump 

Mt. Princeton Campground is located in the Chalk Creek Canyon and not only is it a beautiful drive but you have St Elmo to look forward to. St Elmo is a ghost town from the 1800's. The mountains are just beautiful. 

Directions: From Buena Vista travel south on Highway 285 for 7 miles then turn right on County Road 162 and travel west, passing the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort then 8.5 miles to campground 

LNT

 Better than when you found it

 Stay safe Happy travels

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by N I., October 18, 2021
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by N I., October 18, 2021
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by N I., October 18, 2021
  • (20) View All
Reviewed Jul. 13, 2021

True Mountain Paradise

Mt. Princeton Campground is a primitive campground. There is no water, electric, or dump station available. You can fill your rv with water in Buena Vista at the water works office. As for dumping you either have to drive to Salida and dump at their sanitation department or you can pay to dump at a local rv campground in Buena Vista. If you want electricity bring a generator.

This campground does have vault toilets and a drinking water ONLY faucet. The camp host also has firewood for sale.

We stayed in site #7 and behind it was the Chalk Creek. It was rushing so hard you could hear it and it was very peaceful.

No cell signal or WiFi.

Beautiful campground that we will return to in the future.

Site7
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Kassi S., July 13, 2021
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Kassi S., July 13, 2021
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Kassi S., July 13, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 17, 2020

Mt. Princeton

Very nice small campground. We stayed in site #11 the creek was behind it. It was the off season and we pulled in on a Sunday late Adams stayed till Friday. No need for reservations in late September. Lots of hiking and site seeing. Be sure to check out the hot springs. All the sites were level and very easy to get into with my small trailer.

Site11
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Lisa H., October 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Lisa H., October 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Lisa H., October 17, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 6, 2019

Great Canyon Campsite

The campsite is west of Nathrop Colorado in the Chalk Canyon. It’s one of three National Forest Service campgrounds in the canyon. The other sites at Chalk Canyon and Cascade are each a mile or so along the same canyon highway. Princeton has a camp host and and great facilities like the other camps. Each sites has a picnic table and fire ring. The sites have some privacy depending on the location. The creek runs along the sites on the south side of the camp. The sites are best suited for tent campers or small vans. The views from Princeton are incredible. The camp was full in the summer peak. So, reservations are highly recommended at this site.

  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Steve & Ashley  G., September 6, 2019
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Steve & Ashley  G., September 6, 2019
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Steve & Ashley  G., September 6, 2019
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2019

Nice, shaded, along water

This is a pretty campground which sits beside rushing waters.  I didn't run in to bad mosquito issues which was nice, however I may have been covered up.  The fire, food, peaceful stay and friendly company was a nice break from the electrical devices we so normally plus into.  Have stayed here 2 or 3 times.  Enjoyed all but 1 when our tents got inundated with storm waters.  We packed up, headed in to Salida for the rest if the stay.  Otherwise, it is a great lil place.  Hiking, playing in creek and visiting the river water, grilling out and enjoying friends and family in front of the fire.  Life is what we make it.  

Vaulted toilets- idk maybe 3 around campground

Trash receptacles 

The road to get here did get washed out as well once.  It was driveable by the time we left camp.  

Fires ok in designated rings

Firewood for sale until host runs out.

Food in Buena Vista is about a 35 min. Drive out.  A closer gas station and truck stop are about 15 mins. Out

SiteA few
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Stella C., August 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Stella C., August 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Stella C., August 28, 2019
  • (6) View All
Reviewed May. 30, 2019

Nice National Forest Campground

This campground is located right next to Hwy 162, which goes from Nathop to St. Elmo, along the banks of Chalk Creek. Thought right next to the road, there was surprisingly little road noise to disturb the peace and quiet. Part of that is due to the nice sound of the creek drowning out all but the loudest of noises.

The location is ideal for lots of outdoor activities. There are nearby hiking trails to nice waterfalls, fishing in streams and lakes, Jeep roads into the high country, sightseeing in old ghost towns, and whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River. You are also just minutes from Mt. Princeton Hot Springs, great for a relaxing soak.

The campground itself is in a mixed aspen and pine forest with vault toilets, water via a pump well, and trash dumpsters. Most sites are reasonably level, with nice tent pads for those who like to rough it, and with decent privacy from other sites. The host sells firewood for $7/bundle. It was well-maintained and pleasant. I would definitely camp here again.

  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Mark R., May 30, 2019
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Mark R., May 30, 2019
  • Review photo of Mount Princeton by Mark R., May 30, 2019
Reviewed Sep. 11, 2018

Dispersed camping

Camped here the night before hiking Mt Princeton.

Road up was not easy, but the spots are easy to find and helpful for getting an early start the next day

Frequently Asked Questions

How close is Mount Princeton Campground to Mount Princeton Hot Springs?

Mount Princeton Campground is conveniently located in the same Chalk Creek Canyon area as Mount Princeton Hot Springs. The hot springs are just a short drive from the campground, making it easy to enjoy both camping and soaking during your visit. Many campers mention checking out the hot springs as part of their stay, highlighting the close proximity that allows for combining wilderness camping with relaxing thermal soaks.

Is there dispersed camping available near Mount Princeton?

While the reviews don't specifically mention dispersed camping options, the Mount Princeton area likely has dispersed camping opportunities on surrounding National Forest land. The road leading up to Mount Princeton itself has spots that campers have used before hiking the mountain. These spots are described as helpful for getting an early start on hiking Mount Princeton, though the road up is noted as challenging. For more formal options, Mount Princeton Campground is one of three National Forest Service campgrounds in Chalk Canyon, with Chalk Canyon and Cascade campgrounds located about a mile away along the same canyon highway.

What do reviews say about Mount Princeton Campground?

Mount Princeton Campground is highly regarded for its peaceful setting along rushing water, with the sound of the creek helping to drown out minimal road noise. Campers appreciate the clean bathrooms and level sites. It's described as a pretty location with great facilities and a camp host during peak season. The campground serves as an excellent base for hiking Mount Princeton and exploring the surrounding area. Many visitors mention their positive experiences with friendly company and the peaceful, natural environment that offers a nice break from electronics and city life.

What facilities and amenities are available at Mount Princeton Campground?

Mount Princeton Campground offers basic facilities including fire rings/grills, picnic tables, tent pads, and pit toilets. The campground provides doggie poo bags and some sites have bear boxes for food storage. While the campground is primitive with no electric hookups, water service is typically available during the main season when a camp host is present. There are 17 sites total, and the camping fee is $22 per night with a $7 day use fee. The roads and pads have a gravel base, and the campground is generally open from mid-May through mid-September.

Where is Mount Princeton Campground located in Buena Vista, CO?

Mount Princeton Campground is located west of Nathrop, Colorado in Chalk Canyon, along Highway 162 which runs from Nathrop to St. Elmo. The campground sits alongside Chalk Creek, providing a scenic water setting. It's positioned in the same general area as Mount Princeton Hot Springs in the Arkansas River Valley, with Buena Vista being the nearest major town. The campground is one of three National Forest Service campgrounds in the canyon, including nearby Chalk Canyon and Cascade campgrounds which are each about a mile away along the same canyon highway.