## Overview

 The Forest Service wants your opinion on reserving sites at O\_\_\_Haver Lake Campground. Please take a moment to fill out a brief survey at: [https://forms.office.com/g/zFknf0tZbS][1]\_\_ O\'Haver Lake\_\_Campground sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet, with ponderosa pines and aspen. It is located on the shores of O\'Haver Lake. This facility has 31 sites and\_\_is a very popular destination that is often full on the weekends. \"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

 There is an accessible fishing pier and non-motorized watercraft can be used\_\_to seek rainbow and brook trout on O\'Haver Lake. If using non-motorized watercraft please be courteous to those who are fishing.
## Facilities

 Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection and campground host are provided. Firewood is sold on site. Sites #1-5, 7\_\_,13,21,23 and 24 are first-come, first-served, \"Walk-up\" sites. All other sites are reservable. Site #6 is used by the host from mid-May through September. After that time it is available as a \"walk-up\", first-come, first-served site.
## Natural Features

 This area attracts many campers for fishing, bird watching and canoeing on the calm, pleasant lake. Ponderosa pines provide a fresh vanilla scent in the mountain air and aspens please visitors with golden foliage displays in autumn. 
## Nearby Attractions

 The historic Denver and Rio Grande railroad grade traveled from Salida, southwest to the summit of Marshall Pass. The grade travels along County Road 200 above O\'Haver Lake. This is a very popular mountain biking route with cyclists traveling from Monarch Pass to Marshall Pass on the Crest trail and then traveling down the railroad grade into Poncha Springs. Silver Creek, Starvation Creek, Poncha Creek and the Rainbow Trail are also nearby trails. Shirley Site is located off of Highway 285 and County Road 200 just below Poncha Pass. Shirley got its name during the 1880\'s when it served as a busy construction camp for men building the Denver and Rio Grande rail line over Marshall Pass to the ore-rich mines in Gunnison. By summer of 1881, Shirley boasted 14 large business tents, most of which were saloons and dance halls. Little remains of the town of Shirley except the coal stained railbed that can be seen just north of the Shirley site parking area. Shirley Site is a popular staging area for OHV riders and mountain bikers during the summer months and snowmobilers during winter. 
## Charges &amp; 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. 

[1]: https://forms.office.com/g/zFknf0tZbS

Ohaver Lake Campground

This is one of my favorites from this summer trip to Colorado.  O’Haver Campground  is a high altitude lakeside campground outside of Salida Colorado.  The site has about 35 sites surrounding two sides of the lake.  The trout fishing he is incredible and many folks were getting their 4 fish limit each day.  The campground facilities are outstanding with clean toilets and access to water.  The camp host was new but very helpful and had an ample supply of firewood for the guests.  We camped in site 8 and 7.  The best sites by far was number 10 on the lake with a western view.  They have 4 or 5 no reserve sites for those traveling through the area.  This is a great site for swimming, SUP boards, and some light kayaking.  They have very good day use facilities as well as group sites.  You will need a reservation if you are looking to spend a day or more.  The site is close to Salida and very popular with folks from around the area.  



Incredible Trout Fishing 

Calm lake, best for fishing. Limited hiking within the campground area (really only around the lake) but quiet area to relax and enjoy.

Cute campground

Campground was very busy Memorial Day weekend but it was worth it! They had very nice tent pads, fire pits and picnic tables at the sites and several pit toilet facilities as well as trash receptacles. The sites on the inside of the loop are right on the lake and provide a gorgeous view of Mt. Ouray.

There wasn’t a campground host present all Memorial Day weekend, but they had firewood stocked for purchase if necessary. The downside was the host wasn’t present to help manage the noice at night or the constant stream of people attempting to camp there at different points during the weekend.

There’s day use parking for the lake as well. We found this campground to be a gorgeous place to spend the long weekend! Lots of beautiful trees for hammocking and we saw lots of people fishing and catching good sized trout in the lake. Some hiking nearby you can leave right from the campground!

We Day tripped to Sand Dunes and it was an hour and a half and it’s close enough to Salida to drive down the hill for supplies if necessary.

Busy but fun

Sweet campsites on a nice small lake up at around 9000 feet surrounded by mountains.  Weekend summer use is heavy so plan to reserve in advance if possible.  can be chilly at night.  Lots of folks fishing and playing in the lake.  There is a water station and bathrooms.  Tons of good mountain bike trails not too far from camp.
Stay hydrated, it's high and dry up here.  Hardly any bugs.  

Tucked in the mountains.

Great little lake to fish and camp.  Atv’s aren’t allowed in the camp ground, but there’s a parking lot right at the entrance for atv’s.  There’s tons of trails to ride on some have old mines off to the side, really cool to see.  

Fishing and atv trails for miles

We missed the reservation window for this popular spot so spent the first night camped down the hill in a Forest Service road pull-off. Luckily we were able to pull in at 11:30am just as some folks were leaving and scored one of the few walk-up sites.

They say beggars can't be choosers, but we felt like we won the lottery because our site had million dollar views. After exploring a bit, we realized that every site had million dollar views.

This 9000foot high lake is a gem for kayaking, fishing and overall zen-ing. The lake was busy with folks doing all of these things, it never felt too crowded or overused.

The camp host and her young son were friendly, helpful and diligent and we loved seeing him "help" the sites and pick up rocks.

The road up to the site is bumpy and steep and bit dicey when wet, but once you've made it up here, you won't want to leave.

High Altitude Heaven

It was quiet although there were very few empty sites when I arrived.  That was aroud 4.  By 5 it was full.  Camphost was friendly and sold fire wood.  There was a sign that ssid no hammocks, so before setting up camp I asked the host and he said it was fine.  Very dark, great for stars.  

This was a very nice place.  

We and our camping buddies made reservations to stay in this popular park for 6 nights but the only pr was we couldn’t reserve any site for more than two days meaning we would be moving sites constantly during the week.  The dirt road arriving to Ohaver lake is certainly one to proceed slowly on.  As you climb the mtn the last mile or so you are greeted with numerous washboards on the switchbacks but don’t worry, It’s worth it!  When we arrived we noticed that two walk ups had just pulled out, 4 and 5.  The friendly camp host allowed us to occupy those side by side sites which meant no moving for the rest of our stay!  We enjoyed nice daytime temperatures in the mid 60’s and nighttime temperatures right around 50.  And NO humidity!  Wow that was great for some Arkansans!  Though not on the lake, we found our sites were wonderful!  This park is popular!  Lots of activity and action on the lake from fishing to kayaking to swimming ( brrr) to sunbathing.  We hiked around the lake and enjoyed the beauty of the area.  No ATT cell service and no tv access so really enjoyed the down time!  On the way out, at the visitors center located at Poncha Springs is a dump station with non potable water for $10 credit/debit card and potable water available at the next building.  Thank you Poncha Springs!