Established Camping
Mount Princeton
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.
Description
National Forest
Pike and San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands
Overview
Mount Princeton Campground is located in beautiful Chalk Creek Canyon in central Colorado. This popular facility is within 4 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, about 2 miles west of the campground. Nearby Chalk Lake is heralded as a great family fishing lake with rainbow, brook and brown trout. Nearby ATV/UTV and 4X4 rides include Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Hancock Lakes.
Natural Features
The campground is situated at an elevation of 8,600 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. A stand of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir offers partial shade in the campground. Chalk Creek can be accessed from the campground. It flows 27 miles eastward from the Collegiate Peaks before joining the Arkansas River. Chalk Lake is about a__mile west 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. Rock hounds come to the area in search of quartz and aquamarine. The city of Salida and Town of Buena Vista are only a short drive away where visitors can enjoy unique restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The area boasts more than 100 miles of Arkansas River to raft, fish, float or kayak, as well as fifteen 14,000 ft. mountains. Visitors can choose from recreational activities like hiking, biking, ATV/UTV riding, kayaking, rafting, fishing, horseback riding, ziplining and 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.
Location
Mount Princeton is located in Colorado
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
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileAvailable
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
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 6 min from Colorado Springs
- 2 hrs 13 min from Pueblo
- 2 hrs 29 min from Denver
- 2 hrs 38 min from Boulder
