Stove Prairie, near Larimer, Colorado, is a charming campground that offers a laid-back atmosphere perfect for a weekend escape. With tent and RV sites nestled close to the Cache La Poudre River, you can enjoy the soothing sounds of flowing water while soaking in the stunning natural beauty around you.

The campground is known for its clean facilities, including well-maintained pit toilets and trash disposal options, which campers appreciate. Many visitors have highlighted the picturesque views, especially during sunrise and sunset, making it a great spot for photography or simply unwinding with a cup of coffee by the river. One camper noted, “Had a beautiful spot on the river to fish and swim or just relax.”

While the campground is conveniently located near the highway, some campers have mentioned that the noise can be noticeable, especially from certain sites. However, the proximity to outdoor activities like fishing, tubing, and hiking in nearby state parks adds to its appeal. If you’re looking for a place to kick back and enjoy nature, Stove Prairie is a solid choice.

## Overview

 Stove Prairie Campground is located on the Cache la Poudre River, 26 miles northwest of Fort Collins, in north central Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its great rafting, fishing and hiking opportunities.
## Recreation

 The Cache la Poudre River offers whitewater rafting and fishing. Anglers cast for brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout. Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are in the surrounding area, including the Mt. McConnel Trail, William R. Kreutzer National Recreation Trail and Young Gulch Trail. Other popular activities include birding and wildlife viewing.
## Natural Features

 The canyon's vegetation varies from dense forests to open meadows, surrounded by steep mountains. The campground is situated among ponderosa pine and aspen trees on the banks of the Cache la Poudre River, Colorado's first National Wild and Scenic River. 
## Contact Info

 For facility specific information, please call (530) 529-0578.

Stove Prairie

Searching for the best camping near Livermore, CO? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Livermore campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Livermore, CO. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Livermore

The Best Camping Near Livermore, Colorado

Convenient and easy roadside/riverside camping that felt like it was more remote than it actually was. This campground is ideal for anyone paddling the Narrows section of the Poudre to use as a take out or a put in for the lower sections.

On this early spring trip when the water was high and most of the river was unrunnable, we were able to show up in the middle of the night without a reservation and easily find a campsite. I imagine 'in-season' when the water is lower, and warmer a campsite here might be hard to come by.

We stayed in campsite #1, which is a large RV site that is right next to the road. The site was huge, level and easy to get into with our Sprinter van. It seemed like it would be easy to get into in a large RV as well, even though it was right on the corner of the circle by the entrance to the campground. We heard ZERO road noise, although that could be because the river was so high that was all you could hear (you actually almost had to yell, to talk to each other around the fire pit!) 

Easy roadside camping that felt more remote

This campsite was stunning and super private. There are only 8 campsites, so if you reserve several of them, there aren't a lot of other people to worry about. You can basically set your chairs IN the river. We went the 1st weekend in August, and the weather was perfect. The water is cold but super refreshing when it's hot. Lots and lots of shade, very beautiful. Very private too, the ranger only came around to check the tags on the campsite and make sure everyone had paid. Highly recommend!

BEAUTIFUL and private

Cool campground, but beware the highway noise is pretty terrible.  We were in one of the sites on the highway and I bet some of the smaller sites on the opposite end of the campground would have been better as the river noise might drown it out. 

  

Otherwise, this is a perfectly fine campground.  It can get super hot in the summer so come prepared.  

  

We saw all kinds of fun water activities including tubing, fishing and even swimming in the calmer area.  There are also two fantastic State Parks nearby- Lory and Horsetooth Reservoir.  These parks can get crowded on the weekends so if you are planning a day trip-go early.

Canyon Car Noise 

This campground was really clean and well-maintained.  The bathrooms were pristine!  We were at site 7 and it was a beautiful spot!  The only negative is that it’s kind of close to the road and we could hear traffic.  

Great little spot for a couple of days

Open May- October 

Sites 9 including 4 walk-in tent 

All sites with tent pad have a bear locker 

Reservation: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov 

Fees reservation on line $9.00 Call Center $10.00 on top of camping fees 

Open Mid May- Mid Oct

 Pit toilets picnic table fire ring/grill 

Beautiful backdrop of bare mountain with some trees in the campground which is a bonus. The Cache La Poudre River runs alongside the campground with the clear water cascading over rock and boulders. BEAUTIFUL. The campground is situated along the highway and can be noisy. Try to pick a spot along side the river. In the fall check out the apple trees that are on the campground area. Great solar sites

Directions: Drive 10 miles north of Fort Collins on US Highway 287. Turn left(west) onto Colorado Highway 14 (Poudre Canyon) and travel 16 miles. The campground is located on the north side of the road. The drive on along Highway 14 is a major treat and the best part of this campground. 

LNT 

Pack it in Pack it Out 

Stay safe and happy travels

Apple for the camper

Tent sites are really nice and close to the river.

Nice get away. 

October '22   $25/night, $7 3rd car fee
We arrived at 5pm and got the last car spot on a Tuesday, the walk-in tent sites were totally open. The river is SO close to these spots and it's just gorgeous. It was a great sound barrier at night and was fun to explore since the water level is low this time of year. It was freezing at night but then we realized the inside layer of our comforter was all bunched at the bottom, once we fixed it we were totally fine inside our tent. 
Bathrooms were clean and the fire pits/bear boxes were clean and well maintained. No rust or nasty spots, &amp; little to no trash in sight! Yay! Dumpster available to clean up after yourself, friendly interaction with the site manager whose spot is up at Ansel Watrous where the firewood is. 

Lovely quick trip & clean but close to the road

This was our third time staying in the Poudre Canyon. This spot is probably better suited for Rv’s however having said that it was still an amazing weekend. Gorgeous temperatures, stunning sunrises and sunsets with temperatures ranging from 40-80 degrees.

Had a beautiful spot on the river to fish and swim or just relax with a nice cup of coffee. 

Not a lot of shade at this spot at least so be prepared. However caught Ana amazing show at the Mishawaka right up the road! 

All in all an amazing weekend of activities and fun! 


Photos of Stove Prairie

Real photos from real campers