Green Mountain Reservoir sits at 7,950 feet elevation in the lower Blue River valley, creating a hub for glamping near Heeney, Colorado. The surrounding Gore Range peaks reach over 13,000 feet, creating a dramatic backdrop for upscale outdoor accommodations. Summer water temperatures rarely exceed 68°F, making swimming refreshing but brief for most visitors.
What to do
Fishing at Green Mountain Reservoir: Camp hosts at Cow Creek South recommend early morning or evening fishing for best results. "We had great weather, and this earlier time of year has snow capped peaks enhancing our experience. Good hiking in the area including cataract lake. The camp hosts were friendly and each site had plenty of room for trailer, tent, vehicles, and games, with good fishing," notes Russell T.
Paddle sports on Willow Creek Reservoir: Motorized boats are prohibited, making this a peaceful spot for non-motorized watercraft. "Great fishing on Willow Creek Reservoir—Rainbows, Browns, and some salmon. Boats with motors are prohibited, so there are many canoes, kayaks, and other non motorized activities on the lake," explains Mike B. from Willow Creek Campground.
Visit natural hot springs: The Radium Hot Springs are accessible via trail from BLM camping areas. "We camped about 1000 yards from the trailhead down to the springs, not too crowded and the springs were a nice spot to relax, also cliff jumping available to those who dare," shares Nicholas M. from Radium Campground.
What campers like
Direct water access: Many sites at Cow Creek South Campground offer lake frontage. "I've camped Green Mountain Res. three (or maybe four?) times before, this was probably one of my favorite spots. There is plenty of space between camp sites. View was amazing water was perfect (but super low) camp host was great," reports Kelsey C.
Mountain views: The Gore Range creates a dramatic backdrop for campsites. "The campsites are spacious, with plenty of room between campsites. When we went the reservoir was full, and came right up to our site. The views are incredible and the bathrooms are clean. The only downside was the lack of shade," shares Mike L.
Wildlife sightings: The area hosts diverse wildlife including moose and fox. "We had many moose sightings in the campground during our stay. Kayaking and swimming in Lake Grandby and hiking nearby areas was a lot of fun," says Amber Z. about Arapaho Bay Campground.
What you should know
Weather challenges: Wind can be severe, particularly at Green Mountain Reservoir. "Love this campground. Lots of good times and good spots. Big sites for campers, right next to lake, trees and wind blocks, great to good fishing. High Country Lake. Weather can be severe at times, including very high winds," warns Thomas B.
Limited shade at most sites: Beetle kill has affected tree coverage at many campgrounds. "Clean facilities and virtually zero shade," notes Katie H. about Cow Creek South.
Bear safety requirements: Most campgrounds lack bear-proof storage. "We had bears at our site and around the campground 2 out of 3 nights! No bear lockers and only vault toilets, nowhere to wash hands so bring hand sanitizer," advises Skylar F. from Arapaho Bay Campground.
Site availability varies widely: First-come campgrounds fill quickly in summer. "We were looking for first come first serve sites, as there was nothing available to book the week before our visit. We tried the roaring fork loop first and it was very full (we arrived at 1pm which is their checkout time)," shares Grace K.
Tips for camping with families
Off-season visits: May and September offer lower crowds. "We stayed here for a couple of nights and had a nice spot on the shore of Green Mountain Reservoir. Had the opportunity to do some kayaking and fishing. There was plenty of separation from the other sites," notes Eric L.
Activity options for kids: Sun Outdoors Rocky Mountain offers numerous structured activities. "Kids enjoyed activities - popsicle eating contest, t-shirt tie dye, and donut decorating. They also loved the clean and well-lit basketball courts," shares canyongirl100.
Supply runs: Plan ahead as stores are limited. "Be aware that your closest means of supplies/gear are at the Master Bait and Tackle on the other side of the lake," cautions Thomas B.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at most sites. "Wasn't horrible leveling a small camper, but I can see why larger ones would have a hard time," reports William V. about Wolford Campground.
Variable hookup availability: Research site amenities before booking. "Only electricity, dump and water available- but water is locked at the single faucet (apparently non campers drive by and top up)," notes Kevin H.
Cell service limitations: Coverage is spotty throughout the region. "T-Mobile service is non-existent. AT&T was okay for calls but challenging for data without a booster. (Cell tower is to the West but behind a large hill). Sites to the south may have better coverage," advises Andrew B.
