South Shore Campground, near Trinidad, Colorado, is a solid spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with some essential amenities. With ten tent sites that come equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, it’s a nice place to kick back and enjoy a campfire under the stars.

The campground offers clean vault toilets and a sanitary dump station, which visitors appreciate. Many campers have enjoyed the beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains, with one noting, “Wonderful experience here. It is such a beautiful lake and the area was pretty quiet.” 

For those who like to stretch their legs, there are hiking trails nearby, and fishing is a popular activity in the area. Just keep in mind that access to the lake isn’t directly from the campground, so you’ll need to head to the east entrance for that. 

While some campers mentioned that the sites can feel a bit cramped, the overall vibe is friendly and laid-back. If you’re looking for a place to unwind and soak in some natural beauty, South Shore Campground is worth considering for your next adventure.

A beautiful setting in the mountains of southern Colorado, a mild year- round climate and 800 acres of water ideal for numerous water sports are the lures of Trinidad Lake State Park. Anglers catch small and largemouth bass, rainbow and brown trout, walleye & saugeye, black crappie, channel catfish, yellow perch, bluegill, and wiper. The lake is popular for water skiing and windsurfing. Visitors may explore the mountain branch of the historic Santa Fe Trail in nearby Trinidad. There are great wildlife-viewing opportunities at this park; turkey, coyote, deer, and elk call the park home. Two campgrounds with 73 sites can accommodate recreational vehicles, trailers or tents. A total of 73 sites are available by reservation only. Campsites 1-23, 62 & 63 on Carpios Ridge along with electricity, water, dump station, and the camper services building are open for winter camping. Campsites 24-61 in Carpios Ridge are tentatively closed from mid October to mid March and the entire South Shore campground is closed from mid October to mid May. Mild fall weather and abundant winter sunshine make Trinidad Lake State Park a great off-season vacation destination. In addition to camping, some of the activities available between Labor Day and spring are hiking, ice fishing, winter wildlife watching, and hunting. Call Park for details. For current conditions and more information, please visit the Trinidad Lake website: http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/trinidadlake

By making a reservation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, you are agreeing to read and abide by all rules stated in this purchase flow and on the confirmation letter.  

The fire danger changes throughout the season, please call the park visitor center to inquire.

Trinidad Lake is a fluctuating reservoir and water levels vary. The main campground, Carpios Ridge, is situated on a ridge approximately 150-200 feet that overlooks the lake. There is no direct access to the lake. Shade may be provided naturally by trees and other vegetation at some of the sites. Charcoal or wood fires are allowed only in designated grills or fire pits at each site. \*\*In addition to the camping fee, a vehicle entrance fee is required at all state parks!\*\* Please call the park for specific details---719-846-6951.

Call the park for details or check the latest status reports by visiting us on the web at http://parks.state.co.us/parks/trinidadlake. You may contact us by email at trinidad.lake@state.co.us.

Please use [www.cpwshop.com](https://www.cpwshop.com/home.page) to make, cancel, or change reservations or make any license, pass, or retail purchases. [ReserveAmerica.com](https://www.reserveamerica.com/) has limited functionality for CPW customers.  
  
Per CPW regulation, no individual may camp or park a motor vehicle, trailer or camper on a state park for more than fourteen (14) days in any twenty-eight (28) day period on a single park. For the purposes of this regulation, an individual is defined as any person who has occupied a site, whether or not they are formally listed on the reservation as the reserving party or primary occupant.  
  
Any reservations made with one or more days outside of the 6-month reservation window will be frozen to changes for 14 days from the date the reservation was made.

South Shore Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Trinidad, CO is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Trinidad is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Colorado camping adventure.

Trinidad

The Best Camping Near Trinidad, Colorado

Highlights:
- At night there is zero light pollution and you can see so many stars
- The lake is fished nearly as much as Denver. Fish are bigger and easier to catch.
- Full bathrooms and showers
- Great campsite layout

The Stars and the Lake

This State Park has a great camping area. It has places from tents to full hook ups. The restrooms were clean and had showers, but you had to pay for time with quarters, and there's a change machine so you can get quarters.

Great State Park

The amenities listed above can be misleading. There are 62 sites in Carpios Ridge and 7, yes..7 are full hook-ups!! I don't recall how clear that is on their reservation site. But, I thought I had reserved  full hookup site until I got here and discovered not so much. Most sites are electric hookup only.
And, this is the first State Park I have been to with coin operated showers. Cost 1.75 for 7 minutes.
Also, take note, while there is fishing and boating. There is no swimming (Again, I should have looked closer and paid more attention). Of note to some, you  may want to be aware they only allow 3.2 beer. And, at this writing their is a burn ban in effect. No wood or charcoal fires and no smoking outside your vehicle. Also, no 420 "public consumption"...whatever that might be.😊 However, the views from the overlook are wonderful. I would not recommend this gc if you are looking for seclusion and quietness. Camp setup is what I call "condo camping" neighbors are pretty much right next to each other.

Small and busy campground.

 Camped here for 3 nights. it was a great spot to be to check some other areas before moving further north. Some things to be aware of; Mostly electric only sites. I think they have 6-7 full hookups. Sites are reserved well in advance. Best sites 48-51, they overlook the lake. Only 3.2 beer allowed in the park and no public 420 consumption. Also, showers are coin operated. But, they do have a laundry! Overall, a very comfortable stay. I would recommend this place.

Beautiful views!!

This campground far exceeded our expectations. We arrived a bit earlier on a stoo over  than we had planned. That gave us a bIt more tIme to explore the lake and traIils. We tent camped overlooking the lake and it was an amazing view and sunrise. The bathroom was the nicest I have seen yet in a camp. Very clean but the showers are quarters only. There is a change machine just outside though. InsIde  the bathroom facilities there is also a laundry mat. It’s a great place to bring your boat and kids as there is a nice playground area as well. 

Terrific Trinidad 

As is typical of Colorado State Parks, Trinidad Lake is clean, well thought out, and beautiful. With the Sangria de Christo Mountins as a backdrop, it’s a nice place from which to base camp and explore. And if you’re there during the monsoons, expect a rainbow or two and the sweet smell of piñon and Sage.

Piñon and Sage

All dirt roads. No running water. There’s a port o potty near by aswell as clear parking spots for camp sites. Each campsite has a fire pit and a metal cover over a picnic bench.

Beautiful area! Gorgeous views of the lake and amazing sunsets!

Reservations required but can make them by phone or internet upon arriving. Phone number is posted.

Very well maintained with nice facilities. Beautiful view of lake. 

Beautiful view and fun stuff for the kids to do! Hiking, playground, geocaching. We will definitely be back!

Amazing view! 

We were lucky to book the last paige last minute, and what a view! Sites have picnic tables and fire pits. Trinidad is a charming town. Just perfect!

Such a beauty!

No one at entrance. Nice campground. Clean. 

Very pretty. 

Pros: beautiful lake and Mountain View’s. If u are a birder I saw 3 life birds in one afternoon.
Good walking trail around park.


Cons: very close and mostly small sites. Have a few larger sites. We checked in about 4 pm and there was no one at check in and no instructions what to do.
Black top roads a gravel at sites need some maintenance.
We were in site 16 and it was not level had issues with auto leveling .

9/23/2020

Rustic, freedom, camping up on a bluff is always a experience. Maintained by A.C.E. (Army Corp of Engineers)

Hard to put it i into words!

Wonderful experience here. It is such a beautiful lake and the area was pretty quiet. No issues getting in or out of the camp.

Beautiful views 

Stayed here a couple of days while acclimating to the change in climate. The campground was full and busy. We mostly did road trips checking the surrounding areas. No water at the sight, you need to fill your holding tank before you park. Electric only and dump site provided. I did not see anything spectacular about this campground...too cramped for my style.

Crowed camping and small campsites

This is a great campground with top notch amenities. We enjoyed the laid back time we spent here looking at Fishers Peak. Nice to be that close to the lake. One thing to keep in mind, from the campsites there isn’t great access to the lake, you’ll need to come in From the East entrance to the park for lake access. 

Very nice campground with full RV hookups

Spend the weekend here, it was really relaxing. Except for two campers who almost got into it over camping spot lol. Other than that it was nice and at night it was quiet. Theres also a Walmart about 6min.

Good place

They have 10 tent spots. Great view of the water. Some sites have trees. All have picnic tables and fire pits. Has toilet and bear proof trash containers. Lots of sunflowers. A few different places to hike or enjoy a walk with sweetie. Dogs welcome on a leash. 

Beautiful campsite

It was hot and I was probably a little cranky when we arrived here but state parks, in general, are charging more and more and for $38 (including the required $10 Colorado State Parks day use fee), I believe we did not get much value for our money at this campground. Access to the campground is down a long, bumpy washboard dirt road. 

  

The South Shore Campground has ten non-electric sites within supposed walking distance of the lake, although we did not go to the lake. Sites 101-104 and 107-109 are wide gravel driveways and 105, 106, and 110 are pull-throughs. Although sites are decent in size, there is no physical separation between them.

  

There were only vault toilets (which were clean) and no showers (I had really been hoping for a shower!). 

  

Each site has a bbq grill, fire pit, and covered picnic table. However, it was so windy when we were there and because of the direction the wind was blowing, the cover was useless, we had to use our van as a wind block to cook dinner, and eat inside the van. 

  

One of the rules was only 3.4% alcohol allowed. Fishing appeared to be popular here and there is a path along the dam, but it is a far distance from the campground. 

  

State parks used to be our go-to option, but we are finding we are using them less and less often as the prices continue to increase.

Hot and windy!

Here on Monday, June 9th to avoid bad weather in NM. $28 + 10 for CO state 1 day pass ($80/yr), but trash, vault toilets, covered picnic tables, fire pits and BBQ grills, included 24 hr showers, laundry, garbage, full and self contained, ALL with lake views! Very quiet and serene, boating, kayaking, hiking, wildlife...awesome campground! 

Photos of South Shore Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park

Real photos from real campers