Camping sites near Fairplay, Colorado sit at elevations between 9,000-11,000 feet in the heart of South Park basin. Temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer months, with nighttime lows often reaching the 30s at campgrounds like Kite Lake. Access to many camping areas requires driving on unpaved roads that become impassable during spring runoff or after heavy rains.
What to do
Fishing in alpine lakes: Kite Lake offers excellent trout fishing opportunities at 12,000 feet elevation. One visitor noted, "Bring a rod and spend some time fishing. There are tons of trout in there," making it an ideal activity while acclimating to the high altitude.
Summit a fourteener: Kite Lake serves as basecamp for multiple 14,000-foot peaks. "The whitestar is fairly close to MT Elbert and MT Massive: 2 famous 14ners to be climbed: making it a great spot to start or end your adventure," mentions one camper about the nearby White Star Campground.
Gold panning: Try your luck at Middlefork RV Resort which offers on-site gold panning. A visitor highlighted this unique amenity: "We got to do a little fishing on the stream fed trout pond, but most of all got to take in the South Park region which was great."
What campers like
Diverse site options: Buffalo Springs offers varied camping experiences. "Spaces are a fair distance apart from each other, making for a quiet atmosphere. The hosts were polite and graciously delivered firewood to my campsite," reports one visitor.
High country isolation: McCullough Gulch provides a sense of remoteness despite proximity to towns. A camper observed, "Didn't see another person on a Wednesday night. Very peaceful and plenty of spots to choose from. Road was rocky but not that rough, easy to handle in a Crosstrek."
Waterside camping: White Star Campground offers lake views. "We tent camped here for two nights and picked a spot via recreation.gov. The views from our site were out of this world. Any of the even numbered sites looked to be in a great location," shares one camper.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most dispersed sites have spotty connectivity. At Buffalo Springs, one visitor mentioned, "Cell service was spotty in the campground, but a quick jaunt to the main road got me back to full service (AT&T)."
Road conditions: Boreas Pass Road offers camping with variable access challenges. A visitor explained, "Easy to get to from metro Denver and it's super close to Silverthorne. Dispersed camping sites are still somewhat close together. We could definitely hear other campers around us talking and such."
Weather preparedness: Elevation makes for extreme temperature swings. One McCullough Gulch camper advised, "Temps were high 70s in the evenings and low 40s at night in mid July so prepare with layers."
Bear country awareness: Store food properly throughout the area. A Hoosier Pass camper warned, "Wonderful spots for camping off the road. Traffic noise is minimal as lots of trees and at night so peaceful."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible trails: Buffalo Springs offers family-friendly walks nearby. One visitor shared, "We took wonderful walks with the dogs and found areas where additional campsites and recreation activities once existed."
Learning opportunities: Prospector Campground provides educational hiking. "Great campground with easy access. Nice little getaway from Denver. Easy to access and right near a huge lake. Hiking trails available."
Camp proximity to activities: Position your basecamp strategically. "If you are heading up to go for a big hike or just want to spend the night at 12,000 ft you must bring it all in," advised a Kite Lake visitor about water and supplies.
Altitude adjustment: Allow kids time to acclimate. One visitor to McCullough Gulch noted, "Being at a higher elevation, one person in our group did experience some mild altitude discomfort, even though we're from the Denver area—something to keep in mind if you're sensitive to elevation changes."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Fourmile Campground and surrounding areas require preparation. "Sites are nice with plenty of room. Problem is the four mile road. It is really rough. Do not recommend driving anything heavy," warns one RVer.
Hookup availability: Middlefork RV Resort offers full-service options. A camper explained, "You can get either full hookups or water/electric only. There is a dump station on site. You can pan for gold or trout fish right at the campground."
Road access considerations: Buffalo Springs requires planning for larger vehicles. One RVer cautioned, "Sites are not very level and we had a heck of a time getting our 26' Travel Trailer level here - so bring lots of blocks/boards."
Turnaround space: At McCullough Gulch, site selection matters for trailers. A visitor noted, "Most sites would be tricky with a trailer because of the lack of turn around space (sites 6 & 7 would work for this)."
