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Established Camping

Tucker Ponds Campground

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from September 2, 2024 through May 29, 2025.

Tucker Ponds Campground is located near South Fork, Colorado, surrounded by forested terrain and ponds. The area experiences temperatures ranging from 20°F in winter to 80°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the Rio Grande National Forest and the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Description

National Forest

This high-altitude campground (9,600 feet) is a single loop tucked into a grove of spruce trees adjoining an open grassy meadow. Many of the mature spruce trees within the campground have been killed by the Spruce Bark Beetle and were all removed during the spring of 2015. Today the campground is way more open and sunny with open views of Fox Mountain. The two Tucker Ponds are across the road from the entrance to the campground and offer a good family fishing experience. The 2 Tucker Ponds are about 10 acres each. Rainbow trout (stocked) are usually plentiful and fishermen can also fish in Pass Creek by hiking west of the campground. Pass Creek can be fished with artificial flies and lures only and all cutthroat trout must be released immediately back into the creek (Rio Grande Cutthroat recovery area). For hiking adventures, going on south of the campground you can drive forest road 390 to Campo Molino and then take forest road 388 to the Bonito Pass trail which takes you to the Continental Divide Trail.

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Location

Tucker Ponds Campground is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

In South Fork, CO, Hwy 160 west 13.5 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign onto Rd. 390 (gravel) and go 2.7 miles to another campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground.NOTE: Forest Rd. 390 is single-lane with turnouts.

Coordinates

37.49439976 N
106.76074318 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

Reviews

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3.0

out of 5

3 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 16, 2023

Magnificent high country views, but no LEVEL place for a tent

I encountered this campground(I had zero knowledge of it prior to arrival) during my annual month-long motorcycle trip in the southwest states. I drive a big machine, a Honda Goldwing 1800, nearly 1000 pounds fully loaded, so I was hesitant to take the dirt road to where I hoped a campground would be found. However, I encountered an opposite direction driver who said I only had 1 1/2 miles to go- he was wrong, I had 2 1/2 miles to go- I decided to try it out. Thankfully the road had minimal washboarding and was in large part fine for driving Black Beauty to this campground. 

Upon my arrival I was greatly impressed by the surrounding beauty of the scenery, but I had business to do so I proceeded to drive to each of 14 sites (which were all empty) to analyze each one for the best tenting available. Though they all offered some decent camping locations, I was distraught in not finding a single one with anything close to a level tent pad. I’ve had my experiences in prior years sleeping on the slope of a hill, fighting all night long, trying not to slide out of the tent, and I didn’t wish to repeat that here. 

I finally chose site 14 which I thought might work for me. It was the closest site to the water (pump) spigot, was less than 50 yards from one of the toilets, and had outstanding views of Fox Mountain and one of the ponds. As I began set up I finally determined where I had originally planned to set my tent, on the pebble-studded ground beside the picnic bench, just wasn’t going to work, so I went hunting for a better location at that site. Included in this determination was the desire for some tree-shelter from the rain, since the clouds clearly indicated it was coming. The big decision was made, a few limbs trimmed, the footprint set down, and the tent set up- despite my angst of the 3 to 4° downhill slope. 

I’ll end this review with the bad and the good. 

The bad was– you probably see this one coming– I had to fight throughout the night not to slide downhill, and the fight was not winnable. Toss in rain, thunder and lightning, and I might have had 2-3 hours sleep at the most. 

The good was… the morning finally came, and after brewing some coffee and sitting down to enjoy the bird songs within the mountain silence, I could finally appreciate the beauty of this locale. 

BTW, the envelope to pay the fee (I paid $13 - because I’m older than dirt) had a flap asking for suggestions, so I said a HUGE improvement to the campground would be that each site would have a level tent pad (complete with a tent-friendly top layer of some type) for future Tenters to enjoy.

Site14
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Tucker Ponds Campground by Pondering W., June 16, 2023
  • Review photo of Tucker Ponds Campground by Pondering W., June 16, 2023
  • Review photo of Tucker Ponds Campground by Pondering W., June 16, 2023
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2022

Meh

The condition of the sites is very sad. The surrounding forest is absolutely breathtaking even with the fallen trees, there are young trees everywhere. The campground offers trash and pit toilets, each site has a table and fire pit. However, I don’t see why anyone would pay to stay at this campground when there is dispersed camping off of the same road, with more privacy. There isn’t much room for anything other than a tent or camper van. Maybe a small TT, definitely not big rig friendly. When we drove through on Saturday morning there was nobody there. Decent T-Mobile Service

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2020

Campground closed. Perm? Temp? CV19?

the campground looks like it's been closed a couple of years. There's plenty of dispersed camping along the couple miles in tho and past the ponds. I got good Wi-Fi and cell with Verizon here.

  • Review photo of Tucker Ponds Campground by Karylee H., June 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Tucker Ponds Campground by Karylee H., June 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Tucker Ponds Campground by Karylee H., June 16, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Tucker Ponds Campground?

    Camping at Tucker Ponds Campground can cost between $23.00 and $46.00 depending on the site.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Tucker Ponds Campground?

    Tucker Ponds Campground allows vehicles up to 35 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Tucker Ponds Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Tucker Ponds Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Tucker Ponds Campground have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Tucker Ponds Campground does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Tucker Ponds Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is good.