Red Feather Lakes is located in northern Colorado with most campgrounds situated at elevations between 8,000-10,000 feet. The area features granite rock formations typical of the Roosevelt National Forest region, which creates distinctive camping environments with natural windbreaks and climbing opportunities. Summer temperatures average 75°F during daytime with nighttime temperatures often dropping to 40-45°F even in July and August.
What to do
Hiking from your campsite: Mountain Park Campground connects directly to the Mt. McConnel Trail. "This campground shares a parking lot with the Mt. McConnel trailhead. This is one of my favorite trails along the Poudre, mostly because it is rarely crowded and offers beautiful views," notes a visitor to Mountain Park.
Fly fishing: The Cache la Poudre River provides excellent trout fishing opportunities. "Caught trout 20 yards from my tent from the Cache La Poudre," reports a camper at Ansel Watrous Campground.
Paddleboarding and kayaking: Several lakes in the area offer calm waters for paddlesports. "Beautiful lake. Very nice camping not far from Fort Collins. Great lake for non-motorized boats," states a visitor to Dowdy Lake Campground.
Rock scrambling: The distinctive rock formations provide natural climbing opportunities. "Our spot was set back from the road, in a meadow, surrounded by boulders. Loved it!" shares a camper from Lost Lake Dispersed.
What campers like
Quiet lakeside sites: West Lake offers peaceful waterside camping. "We love that this campground is quiet, spaced out and fairly small. It's perfect for our young family," notes a visitor to West Lake.
River sounds: Several campgrounds along the Poudre River feature the soothing background of flowing water. "This campsite is right on the river in a small cluster of 3 tent only walk in sites. The site is right on the banks of the large rushing river that will lull you to sleep at night," describes a camper at Ansel Watrous Campground.
Dark skies for stargazing: Remote locations provide excellent night sky viewing. "The sky was filled with stars after sunset. Beautiful place!" shares a visitor to Dutch George Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse animal species. "Got to see a young bull moose. Unfortunately witnessed young kids drive their dirt bikes all the way on to the beach area during twilight hour," reports a camper at Lost Lake Dispersed, highlighting both the wildlife opportunities and concerns.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. "The road to get here is graded gravel & really not too bad. We saw some larger rigs, so people do manage it," notes a visitor to Bellaire Lake Campground.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. "Verizon cell service was a major bonus," reports a camper at Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest Dispersed Camping, while another camper at Mountain Park states, "No cell service from any of the carriers."
Reservation requirements: For established campgrounds, early booking is essential. "It's hard to get a spot here unless you reserve a spot 6 months ahead," advises a visitor to West Lake.
Weather variability: Mountain conditions can change rapidly. "We had one night the moon was so bright it was daylight and the next night the fog settled and you couldn't see your hand in front of you," shares a camper at Bellaire Lake Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "They have done a lot of work on the sites and surroundings. Family oriented and nice playground for them to play on," notes a visitor to Mountain Park.
Safe water play: Look for sites with gentle water access. "Site 10 is very wide but doesn't have much shade BUT if the river is high this is the best spot for kids as there is a large rock in the middle of the river that creates a gentle pool/gulley right in front of this spot," advises a camper at Dutch George Campground.
Camping at elevation: Prepare for temperature swings. "Winter camping is FCFS and is a really nice if you get a 'warm' winter weekend. The power at the sites is a plus, even for tent camping," shares a visitor to Dowdy Lake Campground.
Rock exploration: Many sites feature natural climbing features for children. "Great views and great beginner rock piles for the kids to climb on," notes a camper at Comanche Peak View Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Some campgrounds accommodate various RV sizes. "We stayed here over a weekend and wanted to stay longer. Pulled our 33' travel trailer and there were good spots off the road," shares an RVer at Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest Dispersed Camping.
Electric hookup locations: Several campgrounds offer powered sites. "At 8,000 feet. A great small wakeless canoe and kayak lake. Most sites have electric," notes a visitor to Dowdy Lake Campground.
Leveling considerations: Terrain can be challenging at some sites. "Except site 7 you have to back straight uphill and would be hard to hitch or unhitch anything over 20' let alone leveling," warns a camper at Bellaire Lake Campground.
Water access planning: Limited water sources require preparation. "There is water but no threaded attachment to fill tanks so you must bring buckets or water jugs," advises an RVer at Bellaire Lake Campground.
