With access to Tarryall Creek running along its eastern edge, Spruce Grove Campground serves as a base for families who want to tube, wade, and fish in mountain waters. The 36-site Forest Service campground sits in a valley surrounded by granite boulder formations that campers can scramble up for elevated views of the surrounding peaks.
The campground splits into two distinct areas connected by a footbridge. Drive-in sites occupy a main loop with little shade in the interior spots, while walk-in tent sites nestle among trees directly along the creek. Matthew J. notes "sleeping with the sound of the river was also awesome for the whole family," though he warns the water runs too fast for small children in early summer. Several reviewers mention that sites on the north end back up to a chain-link fence bordering private property, which can create noise issues depending on neighbor activity.
Tarryall Creek provides the main recreation draw, with a quarter-mile tubing stretch and calmer pools for supervised play. Fishing happens upstream from the swimming areas, though success varies with the level of water activity. Rock climbing opportunities abound on the granite outcroppings surrounding camp, and trails including Lizard Rock Trail lead directly from the campground into the Lost Creek Wilderness. Vault toilets stay well-maintained, and hand-pumped water is available, though some campers report it runs murky.
The rough gravel access road requires careful navigation for RVs, with a 36-foot length limit enforced. Amanda M. emphasizes making "reservations early for weekends, and expect this campground to be busy all summer long." Day hikers frequently pass through to access trailheads, adding foot traffic during peak hours. Campers seeking fewer crowds might consider Twin Eagles Campground just over a mile northwest.
Description
Overview
The beautiful Spruce Grove campground is positioned beside large rock outcroppings on Tarryall Creek. Magnificent hiking trails to the Lost Creek Wilderness Area are just steps away from the Creek Bridge. Located just 14 miles outside Lake George, Colorado, the area's wild inhabitants include black bear, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep and bobcats.
Recreation
From the campground, hikers and horseback riders can traverse the Lizard Rock Trail, a 2.5-mile trail that passes Hankins Pass Trail and intersects with the Brookside-McCurdy Trail. Along the route are interesting rock formations that some say look like a lizard. The extensive Brookside-McCurdy Trail is a former pack trail in the Lost Creek Wilderness that can be backpacked in five to seven days. Anglers seek rainbow and brown trout in both the creek and nearby lake. Due to the limited parking within the campground, anglers and day hikers are asked to park outside of the campground. A recommended fishing spot is 11 miles away at the Tarryall Reservoir.
Facilities
Spruce Grove offers nearly 27 reservable campsites. Parking aprons fit RVs up to 35 feet in length and a maximum of eight guests are allowed to stay. Drinking water from a hand pump, trash collection and vault toilets are among the amenities at Spruce Grove. Each site comes with a picnic table and a campfire ring.
Natural Features
The campground is perched along Tarryall Creek at an elevation of 8,600 feet, near Bayou Salado Reservoir. Campsites have little to no shade but are surrounded by mature spruce, aspen and plenty of good looking boulders. The area sits at the base of South Tarryall Peak and just north is McCurdy Mountain with a peak of 12,173 feet.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors enjoy the many great trails in the Lost Creek Wilderness, a 119,790-acre stretch of split boulders, rounded granite domes and knobs, rare granite arches, and forested scenic overlooks.
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundSpruce Grove Campground is located in Colorado
Directions
From areas west of Lake George, Colorado, drive east on Highway 24 and turn left on CR 77 (Tarryall Road) just before Lake George. Continue on CR 77 about 15 miles to Spruce Grove Campground, located on the right. The campground sign and entrance sit back off CR 77. From areas east of Lake George, drive west on Hwy 24 through Lake George and turn right on CR 77 (first paved road). Drive about 15 miles to Spruce Grove Campground located on the right. The campground sign and entrance sit back off CR 77.
Coordinates
39.1377778 N
105.4616667 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 21 usersLast on 5/3/26
VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/3/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/3/26
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 21 usersLast on 5/3/26
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/3/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 12 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 1 hr 33 min from Pueblo, CO
- 1 hr 53 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 2 min from Boulder, CO
