270 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Red Feather Lakes sits in the Roosevelt National Forest about 55 miles from Fort Collins, and the surrounding area holds a mix of developed Forest Service campgrounds and dispersed options on forest roads. Bellaire Lake, West Lake, and Dowdy Lake campgrounds are the main developed sites, each with designated spots, vault toilets, and water during the main season. Reservations through recreation.gov are the standard for summer weekends, with sites filling several weeks out by July. Red Feather Lakes's dispersed camping spots cover the free and unreserved forest road options when recreation.gov windows are already closed.
The Dyrt check-ins here run consistently June through August, with reviewers noting that the lakes themselves draw anglers and paddlers as much as hikers. Cell service is limited or absent in much of the forest. The road into Red Feather Lakes is paved, which makes access easier than more remote national forest areas, but some campground access roads off the main route are unpaved and rough after rain.
"Dowdy is another wonderful (busy) campground at Red Feather Lakes, CO. I believe there are 62 sites total. Not all sites are open until later in the season."
"Clean bathrooms, sites spread out nicely and lake access for paddleboarding. Unique Colorado location."
from $30 - $81 / night
Check Availability"The road to lost lake requires high clearance. It is located 30 min away from Red Feather Lakes. There are a lot of dispersed camp sites."
"Drove up early In the week to get a great spot by lost lake and was very successful."
"Toilets are a reasonable distance. There is lots of shade and a great hiking trail up the ridge line. Staff is very friendly and it is very well maintained."
"There are many places for multiple groups to be near each other, and reservations usually fill up."
from $41 - $185 / night
Check Availability"We arrived on a Monday around 4pm and most of the spots were open, but it seemed like several others arrived at the same time as us and we actually snagged our spot right before someone pulled into it."
"Our spot was a little on the hill away from everyone and only had a few cars drive by."
"There is a hairpin switchback to get into the lower loop and the website states that it is not accessible to trailers longer than 20 feet."
"Fees: $23.00 standard single $7.00 for 3rd vehicle Reservations: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov
Out of season: FCFS
Firewood for sale by camp host located at Upper Ansel Watrous Campground."
from $29 / night
Check Availability"Beautifully placed right at the curve of the Poudre, there is a short walking trail next to it,a perfect hammock place in a shallow runoff, a spot to tether tubes or paddleboards in an eddy, a picnic table"
"The drive into the Poudre Canyon is a beautiful one. We camped Thursday to Sunday. Spots are scarce and were full by Friday mid day. Some sights have shade, some do not."
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"West Lake is one of three campgrounds located near Red Feather Lakes in Northern Colorado."
"West Lake campground is a beautiful spot off 74. The lake is great for fishing, and the tent campsites are super private. Your pass includes access to other lakes in the surrounding area as well."
from $28 - $81 / night
Check Availability"Great spot near Red Feather Lakes and probably the only dispersed spot around that has AT&T service. Nobody else was here while I was camping and hardly anyone drove by, it’s pretty far out here."
"This campground is an especially good option for those wanting to avoid the summer crowds of the close by and popular campgrounds of Red Feather Lakes and Lost Lake."
"Bellaire Lake Campground, located in the Red Feather Lakes region, is a hidden gem. With only 26 sites and situated at an elevation of 8,600 ft, it is serene and secluded."
"This lakeside campground is a gem. With 2 loops, one close to the river, and one a short walk away, it's a nice smaller alternative to other campgrounds in Red Feather."
from $30 - $121 / night
Check Availability"Big picnic table, bear-proof food box, close to river."
"The spots were well spaced, so I didn't feel like we were uncomfortably close to our neighbors. The campgrounds were well kept, and the guests were pretty quiet. I would definitely make a trip back!"
ScoutBeautiful area, lots of rock formations. Just brought the family out for the day to explore but we loved it so we will definitely be back to camp. Pretty crowded in August. Lost a singular truck key attached to a singular home key on Hermosa Rd on 08/01/26 so if you may happen to find it I would be very grateful if you reached out to me! I live in the area. Thanks!
TravelerA lot of private land around, but also lots of camp sites. I didn't spend too long there, but it was great at least for what I was looking for as a spot to crash for the night!
ScoutI have camped here for years. Nobody really knows why it is called deadman. Make sure to climb the fire tower. Open most weekends. The stars are awesome. Lots of places to hike and ride. Lots of campsites for dispersed camping. The road to the top doesn't open until the first part of July, So down lower gets pretty filled up.I have camped there April through October
ScoutOnly about 15 campsites. They are all very nice. Not very busy unless it is a holiday weekend. Nice little stream next to it. There is a clean outhouse/ vaulted toilet. You can get a cell phone signal about a 1/2 mile farther up the road there is a farmhouse that has a signal. Don't worry its ok to use it, the state pays for it. There is a pull off right in front of the farmhouse. Please don't block the road. Larimie river is not to far away for fishing or just hanging out. You will see wildlife elk, deer, moose.
RangerStayed mid- week in June and very few other campers. Sites were flat and spacious, some along a clear stream. It froze overnight both nights.
Hiking from the campsite, as well as a short drive away. The fun town of Centennial is also a short drive away - the coffee at the little hotel of fabulous!
TravelerWe stayed at the Sherman hills camp grounds, and woke up to a beautiful morning view of the water. We had close encounters with beautiful deer and friendly wildlife (chipmunk!!). This place is worth the money and we will be coming here again 10/10!!!
ScoutGreat spot for a quick one nighter for my car-camp setup. Parked literally 5’ from the water! Sandy beach but does have a bit of a “lake” smell that you’ll get used to quick. Arrived on a Thursday evening towards the end of July. No one else here. Of course next to water the bugs are fierce, but that’s what car window screens are for! 52° tonight, Clear skys, great after gazing after the moon sets!
TravelerGreat backcountry spot 1 mile in from the East Portal. Water access is near and it includes a privy! Easy enough for my sea-level living 5 year old to make it there in less than an hour!
TravelerMy husband and I stayed at the Ranger Lakes Campground during the Never Summer race weekend, and it was the perfect spot! The race course runs right by the campground, making it incredibly convenient for cheering on the runners. The camp host was fantastic. He was around if you needed anything but never intrusive. It was obvious he took time in maintaining the campground, especially the restrooms. Speaking of the bathrooms—they were the cleanest vault toilets I've ever used! They werent buggy/cobwebby and didn't smell, and were cleaned daily by the camp host. Honestly, that alone is enough to make me come back!😂 As an added bonus, we even had a moose wander right through our campsite, which made for an unforgettable experience. Overall, we had an amazing stay. The campground was clean, quiet, well-maintained, and in a perfect location. We would absolutely stay here again!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado?
Red Feather Lakes offers several excellent campgrounds. Bellaire Lake Campground is a hidden gem with only 26 sites at 8,600 ft elevation, featuring interesting rock formations and a serene, secluded setting. For water access, Dowdy Lake Campground provides 70 sites, including 10 walk-in tent spots, with options for both tent and RV camping with electric hookups. Other excellent options include Mountain Park Campground with well-spaced sites and maintained tent areas, and Comanche Peak View Campground for those wanting to avoid crowds. The area also offers dispersed camping opportunities for a more primitive experience.
Do I need reservations for camping at Red Feather Lakes?
Reservations are highly recommended for most developed campgrounds around Red Feather Lakes, especially during peak season (May-September) and weekends. Dowdy Lake Campground requires reservations through Recreation.gov from mid-spring through September for its 70 sites, with weekend bookings particularly important. Some campgrounds like West Lake also operate on the reservation system. Dispersed camping areas such as Lost Lake and Comanche Peak View operate on a first-come, first-served basis. For private options like Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch, advance reservations are essential, especially during summer weekends and holidays when availability can be limited.
When is the best time of year to camp at Red Feather Lakes?
The prime camping season at Red Feather Lakes runs from late May through September when temperatures are mild and facilities are fully operational. Lost Lake Dispersed area is popular during summer months, offering meadow camping surrounded by boulders about 30 minutes from Red Feather Lakes. Late spring brings beautiful wildflowers while early fall offers spectacular foliage with fewer crowds. Beaver Meadows Resort Ranch has reported pleasant camping conditions in late May with good hiking opportunities. Winter camping is possible at some year-round sites, including some at Dowdy Lake, but requires proper cold-weather gear and preparation for potential snow conditions.
What camping sites are available at Red Feather Lakes?
Red Feather Lakes offers diverse camping options. Comanche Peak View Campground provides primitive sites with fire pits and flat tent spots, accessible with high-clearance vehicles. For developed camping, Mountain Park features well-spaced sites with level tent spots, nearby toilets, and a ridge line hiking trail. The area also offers dispersed camping in Roosevelt National Forest, private resort camping at Beaver Meadows with riverside sites, and established campgrounds at Dowdy and Bellaire Lakes with amenities like vault toilets and seasonal water. Additionally, State Forest State Park offers primitive sites popular with backpackers and those seeking moose viewing opportunities.
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