Camping in Pike and San Isabel National Forests offers diverse terrain ranging from 6,000 to 14,000 feet elevation across 3 million acres of public land. Temperatures fluctuate dramatically between day and night due to the high-altitude environment, with summer nights dropping below 50°F even when daytime temperatures reach 80°F. Most dispersed camping areas require visitors to pack out all waste and bring their own water supply.
What to do
Fly fishing access points: The South Platte River in Eleven Mile Canyon provides premium fishing opportunities. "We stayed at one of the first 5 [sites] that we saw because the view was nice and we were a bit unsure of what the roads were going to be like if we kept going with our trailer. Since it had just snowed, we didn't venture too far," notes a visitor to Red Canyon Park.
Rock scrambling and formation viewing: Geological features throughout the area create unique exploration opportunities. A visitor to Crags Campground shares: "There's a stream running right by camp. Dog friendly, but keep an eye on them because there's lots of mushrooms! The dirt road was a little rough in places, but if you drive slowly and carefully any kind of vehicle can make it up to the campground."
Mountain hiking trails: Multiple trailheads connect directly to campgrounds throughout the forests. "There is a nice hike over the ridge that will take you to Riverside campground (we've stayed there previously...also nice) and cross the road to the river. We saw some deer and did hear that a bear visited our campground while we were there but didn't cause any trouble," reports a camper at Blue Mountain Campground.
What campers like
Small, intimate campgrounds: Some areas provide more seclusion than larger established sites. A visitor to Cove Campground states: "Love this campsite, there are only 4-5 sites in the area which give you the quit and space I wanted, with cliff walls as a backdrop and the Platte River in front it's quite beautiful!!"
Hike-in site accessibility: Boat-in and walk-in sites offer increased privacy. At Rocky Ridge Camground — Eleven Mile State Park, a camper notes: "We really enjoyed the hike in/boat in camp site. Great for families with young kids that are not ready for full-on backpacking. Our site was about a 15 min canoe ride from parking lot."
Wildlife observation opportunities: Many campgrounds feature regular wildlife sightings. "Super nice facility and clean. Very busy park as a lot of sites are on the main road. If you can choose to stay off the main road areas you will enjoy more. Lots of hiking and biking. We saw some deer that came through our site," reports a visitor to Mueller State Park Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions affect vehicle access: Most access roads are unpaved and may be difficult to navigate. A recent visitor to Springer Gulch observed: "The road into the gulch is a total mess. It needs grading badly, but the site is so inviting. The drive up Eleven Mile Canyon is beautiful. The gulch itself is in a cozy little canyon."
Seasonal closures affect availability: Many campgrounds operate from May through October only. Forest Service Road 250 remains open year-round, providing winter access when most established campgrounds are closed.
Limited cell service throughout region: Plan communications accordingly, especially for emergencies. A camper at Blue Mountain Campground mentioned: "Online reservations showed most sites booked, but on a weekday in September I had almost the entire campground to myself! In the campground I had consistent LTE data connection via Verizon and not far up the trail was getting 5G."
Tips for camping with families
Hike-in options for beginners: Some less remote sites provide a backpacking-like experience. "Stayed in a hike in site. The hike is amazing and beautiful but sucks with gear if you use the trail near the water. Teamwork, determination and a cart are mandatory if you take this route. With no gear it's the best hike I've been on," explains a visitor to Rocky Ridge Camground.
Playground accessibility: Select sites include child-specific amenities. A Mueller State Park visitor noted: "Really great views. Clean, level campsites. We stayed in conifer 25. Close to comfort station and playground. Coin showers but are super clean."
Bear safety requirements: Proper food storage is mandatory throughout the region. "BE SMART ABOUT FOOD! We did have a bear encounter as we were driving out of the park," warns a Red Canyon Park visitor.
RV tips
Dump station availability: Limited facilities exist for waste disposal. A visitor to Crags Campground advises: "The dirt road was a little rough in places, but if you drive slowly and carefully any kind of vehicle can make it up to the campground. Firewood is available; $7 for one bundle or $18 for 3 bundles."
Road width restrictions: Some forest roads have natural arches limiting height clearance. "Additionally the loop in the campground is very tight so again if you are pulling a trailer you need to know which site you were in before going into the loop as to make sure you are going the correct way when you back up into your site," notes a Springer Gulch camper.
Leveling considerations: Many sites require leveling equipment. At Forest Service Road 250 dispersed camping, "The sites where the coordinates take you are immediately off the road. They're going to be very high traffic. They are wide-open and big enough for big rigs. The biggest issue would be dust."
