Camping options near Beulah, Colorado range from basic tent sites to yurt accommodations at elevations between 6,000-8,000 feet in the Wet Mountains and surrounding areas. The region experiences dramatic temperature shifts, with summer days reaching 85°F but dropping to 45°F at night. Campgrounds in this area typically open from May through September, with some locations extending their season into October to accommodate fall foliage viewers.
What to do
Fishing at Lake Isabel: Located 10 minutes from several camping areas, Lake Isabel offers trout fishing in a mountain setting. At St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel, campers enjoy proximity to these fishing opportunities. "Lake Isabel is gorgeous & perfect for our kayaks," reports Rob B., who appreciated the disconnected experience, noting "we had no phone or internet service at all with AT&T or Verizon. That made it even better, got the chance to disconnect from the world for a few days."
Hiking the Cisneros Trail: Access mining history on this trail near Lake Isabel. "I definitely want to come back and backpack the Cisneros trail to see the mines," mentions Alana H., who found the area both beautiful and historically interesting while staying at St Charles Campground.
Visit Bishop Castle: This remarkable hand-built stone castle is accessible from several camping locations. A camper at Davenport Campground noted its convenient location, stating "Close to bishop castle" while praising the campground's clean facilities and quiet atmosphere. The castle provides a fascinating day trip option for those wanting a break from nature activities.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. At Aspen Acres Campground, visitors consistently mention cleanliness. "They clean the bathrooms/shower-house twice a day and it shows," reports Vanessa, who stayed for a couple days. Another guest, Michelle G., observed that "Trash is kept tidy and didn't smell even on the 97 degree day."
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. At Davenport Campground, a camper experienced this firsthand: "At night the site was amazingly dark. This was my first real time seeing the Milky Way. It was so amazing I am glad my friend was there so I have backup to my story. During the Perseids, so shooting stars were out."
Wildlife encounters: Deer and other wildlife frequently visit campsites. At St Charles Campground, Kathrina M. shared, "We were visited by several mule deer and very friendly chipmunks. Bears are in the area, but a bear-proof locker is on the site."
What you should know
Fire restrictions: Fire bans are common in summer months. At Aspen Acres Campground, campers find alternatives: "Although we had a fire ban in effect, we were able to rent a propane fire pit from the office. Be super cautious and check fire restrictions for Custer County," advises Michelle G.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have minimal to no connectivity. According to a camper at St Charles Campground, "Amenities are as expected with a secluded campground, we had no phone or internet service at all with AT&T or Verizon."
Water availability: Potable water access varies by location. At Davenport Campground, visitors must plan accordingly: "No potable water so be sure to bring your own," notes Marissa W., though she still rated her stay highly for other reasons.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly. Rachel O. at St Charles Campground experienced this firsthand: "We spent the first day in our tent due to weather. The road was a bit washed out but the camp host was great. We didn't let the rain keep us down."
Tips for camping with families
Look for covered picnic areas: Some sites feature sheltered tables that protect from sun and rain. At Juniper Breaks Campground, Marissa B. notes, "The majority of sites at Juniper Breaks have the picnic table and fire ring on the drivers side of your vehicle (if you back in). We have young kids so wanted to be able to see the door of our camper if the kids came out after bedtime while the parents were still up."
Junior Ranger programs: Available at some parks for children ages 5-12. "We took our kids (2, 5, & 7) to the junior ranger class they host at the visitor center almost every Saturday. They learned about boat safety and got free sunglasses and emergency whistles. My 7 year old niece finished her ranger booklet and got a junior ranger badge, which she loved," shares a family visitor to Juniper Breaks Campground.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play areas for children. When traveling with children to Pueblo South-Colorado City KOA, Sarah J. found that "the campground is relatively quiet. Everyone is respectful of other campers" and mentioned that it has "a nice little playground for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Check site orientations before booking. Michelle G. at Aspen Acres Campground advises: "We only wish we had a longer power cable. Our port is at the back and the outlet was way up front. To reach, we had to set up near the front of the site which limited our parking."
Pull-through availability: Many campgrounds offer these convenient sites. At Pueblo South-Colorado City KOA, Ann F. noted: "Able to get a location late in the day but missed out on the better scenery sites. Convenient on/off highway."
Cold weather camping: For winter or shoulder season visitors, be prepared for freezing temperatures. A winter camper at Pueblo South-Colorado City KOA reported: "The water was frozen at our site because the provided heat tape wasn't functioning. I had to re-tape it with some heat tape I brought and it thawed out and has worked fine all the other nights."
Hookup locations: Some campgrounds have unusual hookup placements. At Juniper Breaks Campground, one RVer noted: "Our one complaint was that our back in spot put the door to our trailer on the opposite side of our fire and picnic table so we had to awkwardly walk around every time we went inside. If we had planned more ahead we would have chosen a spot that was not like that."
