Established Camping
Dowdy Lake Campground
About
USDA Forest Service
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
Overview
Dowdy Lake Campground is located 48 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Colo., near the village of Red Feather Lakes. Visitors enjoy the area for its canoeing, fishing and trail opportunities.
Recreation
Canoeing and fishing are popular activities on the 115-acre, no-wake Dowdy Lake. Motorized boats are allowed on the lake, but a 10 mph speed limit is enforced. Anglers cast for brown, brook, cutthroat and lake trout. Several additional lakes are in the vicinity. Many hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are in the surrounding area, including the 4-mile Mount Margaret Trail. Several off-road vehicle trails are located within five miles of the campground. Other popular activities include viewing wildlife and visiting the nearby Redfeather Visitor Center.
Facilities
The campground offers 60 accessible single and double family campsites with electric hookups. Ten sites are designated for tent camping only and do not have hookups. Each site contains a tent pad, picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Dead and downed firewood may be gathered in the forest or purchased in bundles from the campground host.
Natural Features
The campground is situated in a ponderosa pine forest on the shore of Dowdy Lake, at an elevation of 8,200 feet. Afternoon thunderstorms can be expected during spring and summer months. Due to the mountain pine beetle infestation and removal of hazardous trees, some sites have reduced shade.
Nearby Attractions
The small village of Red Feather Lakes is nearby, offering limited dining options, gift shops, general stores, a library, post office and a golf course.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (530) 529-0578.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonAvailable
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
ScoutOne of Our Favorite Places
Just over one hour from home, we take frequent day trips and early fall camping trips.
TravelerGreat spot
We arrived on a Monday morning hoping to get a first come first serve spot and we’re lucky enough to get one. But online said they had more available then they did so just be sure to check.
We had an electric spot, all that was left, but it was great. Spots were spread out and big. All pretty close to water access. Some spots were right on the water too. Super quiet area and everyone seems respectful of noise. Lots of dogs but leashed.
Nice walking area around the lake. And day area was empty.
LegendReflections
Status: Open year round
Reserve mid spring through September 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov
weekend reservations recommended
70 sites including 10 walk-in tent 30 sites year round $24.00 tent sites $32.00 electric $64.00 double sites
Vault toilets, water during season ,tent sites have bear boxes, picnic table, fire ring/grill, trash no sewer or water hookups The campground has beautiful Ponderosa Pines but the Pine beetle is beginning to take its toil.
The back loop closes early fall. all sites have electric except the tent sites. There are 5 double sites. The campground can accept various size rigs. The day use area with a boat ramp and pit toilet with a nice size parking lot. There were a lot of people fishing from the shore. The lake is beautiful with small islands and rock formations. The road to and in the campground is gravel and rather dusty. Potholes
Directions: Drive 21 miles north of Fort Collins on US Highway 287. Turn left (west) onto the Red Feather Lakes Road (County 74E) and travel approximately 22 miles. Turn right (north) and travel another mile to signed campground entrance on the right.
LNT
Better than when you found it
Stay safe Happy travels
- (21) View All
Location
Dowdy Lake Campground is located in Colorado
Directions
From Fort Collins, take Highway 287 north for approximately 24 miles to Livermore. Turn west on County Road 74 and continue about 23 miles to Dowdy Lake Road. Turn right, then another right onto Dowdy Drive and continue to the campground.
Coordinates
40.7965139 N
105.5655056 W