Sugarloaf Campground

Located in the Arapaho National Forest, Sugarloaf is a small campground found on the Williams Fork of the Colorado River. The valley was once heavily forested but is much more open these days.

Cleared of timber a few years back due to Pine Beetle infestation, the campground is spartan with little shade or site separation. It's at the end of a dead end road making road noise minimal. The good news is that it's uncrowded and easy to secure a first come, first served site, and the trees are growing back.

There are 11 spaces many of which will accommodate RVs (we were able to fit our 30' class C), most will fit small travel trailers/pop-up campers, and all have space for tents. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a horse shoe pit located in the middle of the campground. There is a pit toilet and water well though the well has not been functional for some time. Trash dumpsters are on site, and water is available at South Fork campground a short distance away. While amenities are limited, activities are plentiful.

Fishing on the Williams fork is fair to good for Brook Trout with the occasional Brown Trout being caught. Pressure is generally light upstream from Sugarloaf and a bit more congested downstream where the stream is slightly larger. Once you're tired of fishing, there are numerous hiking trails to be explored.

Leaving from the the immediate area are the Darling Creek trail, the South Fork trail, the Kinney Creek trail and 4x4 road, the Ute Peak trail, and further north, the Williams Peak trail. There are also multiple Geocaches located nearby. Best bet here is to purchase a trail guide for more specifics on the area. Be sure to check with the Hot Sulphur Springs Ranger district as fires have damaged or closed many locations.

If you're looking for a laid back peaceful camping experience, Sugarloaf may just be the place for you!

My partner and i have used sugarloaf as a kind of rendezvous for my colorado trail hike. We've had packages sent here and stayed multiple times, during each stay the facilities have been very clean and the staff very friendly and conscious of covid. Fires have been fun and our pups have loved it too!!!

This campground is perfect for those who live in Boulder or the nearby surrounding areas (Louisville, Superior, Lafayette, Longmont, Gunbarrel). After a short 25 minute drive up canyon and up near Switzerland trail you can find the entry to Sugarloaf, there are hundreds of zones, but the best are found only where you can drive with a high clearance vehicle. Enjoy the panoramic valley views, and the light breeze that’s perpetually around you!

We got there at 1:30am and there were still sites open. The views in the morning were awesome!

Directions: Sugar Loaf Campground is on your right, the road splits, go straight down the dirt road. While going straight down this dirt road, you will see the campground roads off to the left. This area spreads out with tons of options for camping. There is room for RV's, Tent Campers, and Hammock Campers. There are also a lot of pre-build fire pits that allow you to set up and camp without a problem This is also located down the street from the Safeway as well as the liquor store in Leadville.

About: You are very close to Turquoise Lake, there is fishing, boating, swimming, hiking options all in this area. In the winter there is great cross-country skiing as well as snow-shoeing. You have a great view of mountains and you are away from the city. The campground at night has fantastic views of the stars. It does get chilly at night as you are located at 10,000 ft. in elevation.

One of our favorite campgrounds. Highly suggest checking it out. be respectful and cleanup after.