The Arkansas River area near Nathrop, Colorado sits at elevations ranging from 7,000-9,000 feet, creating significant day-to-night temperature fluctuations even in summer. Most camping spots near Nathrop, Colorado experience temperature drops of 30-40 degrees after sunset, with overnight lows sometimes dipping into the 40s even in July and August. Cell reception varies dramatically based on elevation and surrounding terrain, with higher elevation sites often receiving better connectivity than valley locations.
What to do
Mountain biking from camp: At BV Overlook, campers can access trails directly from their sites. "We camped here mainly to mountain bike and we loved that you can ride right from the campsite onto the trails," reports Becky M. The campground's location makes it ideal for cyclists who want to minimize driving.
Ghost town exploration: St. Elmo ghost town sits near Cascade Campground, offering historical exploration. "Ghost town at the top of the valley. Hot springs at the bottom. Fishing all along," notes Ronny D. The preserved mining town attracts wildlife enthusiasts too, as one camper mentions, "tame chipmunks to feed and a look at our mining history."
Hot springs soaking: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to natural hot springs. "We stayed for a weekend and had a nice spot on the creek. Added bonus... it's close to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs!! Camping and hot springs....ahhhhh," shares Ronda C. about her experience at Chalk Creek Campground. The water temperature at some creeksides is affected by nearby hot springs.
What campers like
River sounds for sleeping: Ruby Mountain Campground offers sites directly beside the Arkansas River. "The river provides great white noise and this campground is far enough off the highway to avoid any vehicle noise," according to Jonas C. The sound barrier created by flowing water helps mask any remaining traffic noise.
Wildlife encounters: Many campers report unexpected wildlife sightings. At Salida North BLM, one camper noted, "Had big horn sheep in the campground when we pulled in." Another reviewer at Raspberry Gulch described, "Cows grazing around our campsite in the morning (it was adorable)."
Off-grid experience with connectivity: Despite the remote feel, some sites offer surprisingly good connectivity. "I came here planning on staying a couple of nights, but I think I'm going to go ahead and stay an entire week... AT&T 4G and 5G great reception," reports Allen B. about Turtle Rock Campground. This makes extended stays more feasible for remote workers.
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. At Hecla Junction Campground, "The road in from US 285 is graded dirt/gravel, with some up & down steepness both directions," explains Prof K. Ruby Mountain has particularly tricky access, with one camper warning: "Keep in mind the access road into the camp is very narrow. Your best bet is to have someone be a look out and clear the road because you're in between a rock and cliff."
Reservation requirements vary seasonally: Many campgrounds change their reservation policies throughout the year. "Reservations are required at most developed campgrounds from April through October, while some sites remain open year-round," states the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area information. One camper warned about Browns Creek, "Closed Dec 1-June 1 for wildlife management."
Shade availability differs by site: Sun exposure varies dramatically between campgrounds and between sites within the same campground. "There is not a lot of shade but the temperatures stayed comfortable due to the proximity to the river," reports one camper at Ruby Mountain. At BV Overlook, the "sites are on varying elevations up a hillside so we weren't looking right at our neighbors."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water access: Cottonwood Lake Campground offers safe water activities for children. "The campground is situated about a quarter mile from Cottonwood Lake, a small, pretty lake with a wide boatlaunch area - no motorized boats allowed though!" reports Audrey D. This creates a safer environment for young swimmers and paddlers.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple family-friendly sites offer reliable wildlife sightings. "We saw some big horn sheep!!!" reported one camper about Browns Creek. Another family noted seeing "two great horned owls during our stay on several occasions" at Salida North BLM.
Educational history nearby: The St. Elmo ghost town near Cascade Campground provides educational value. "We also drove to St. Elmo which is a gorgeous drive to the mountains," shares Jennifer M. The preserved mining town gives children a hands-on history lesson about Colorado's mining past.
RV tips
Leveling challenges: Many RV sites require additional equipment for leveling. At Hecla Junction, "Sights off the river are on a steep grade, which will require a lot of rise in trailer jacks-bring our blocks." Another camper advised that most sites "can accommodate large fifth trailers and vans as well."
Site selection for size: At Turtle Rock Campground, "There are plenty of places to hike and explore and close to BV as well," notes a reviewer, but they caution that "one note is that most of the spots are walk in rather than drive in, slightly more annoying for the roof top tents." This makes site selection crucial for larger vehicles.
Power supply variability: Electrical services vary significantly between campgrounds. At Ruby Mountain, campsites offer "no water or electric or dump station," while Browns Creek offers extensive options: "There are extensive sites in the area for all sizes of rigs. There is plenty of room and easy access for large rigs or tent camping."
