The location is why people stay here, and it is far less sketchy than other nearby resorts. Spots are close together and it is a busy place, so don’t expect privacy. We upgraded to a Deluxe Plus Back-in site so we could have more room and it provided more space and privacy than the site we had originally booked. Hookups were good and close to our camper, and we had plenty of trees for shade in the afternoon.
Close to shops, restaurants, attractions and walking distance to Garden of the Gods. The intersection to pull in and out is a bit strange but navigable. Despite the close proximity to roads and highways the road noise is minimal.
Website is misleading and has images not from this actual resort. For the cost, the grounds could use some updating and maintenance.
This is less than thirty minutes from my house, but feels like a world away. Spots are close but private and paved pads make leveling easy. Most sites are pull through along the road and include electric. Back in sites are also available. The campground was full even with the snow and cold in early September. There are very few undesirable spots within the grounds, and the group sites are exceptional.
Vault and flush toilets are available at various locations through the campground, and there is a self-service dump station available at the front of the campground. We did run into the issue of people dumping buckets of waste in the dump station and not washing everything down, so look before you step.
Tent pads are large platforms filled with pea gravel, and include well maintained picnic tables and fire rings. The grounds and campsites are beautifully maintained and wonderful views of the surrounding mountains are plentiful.
Watch out for wildlife and be sure to read restrictions and rules on the maps provided at the gate - use and closures change seasonally.
Located a short drive off of 285, this campground has well dispersed sites with trees and privacy. Sites are large and offer views of nearby mountain ranges. We had site 18 which is massive, but the “pull through” was more of a problem than anticipated. There is a water pump available and access to hiking. From site 18 you can hear 285, but less so deeper into the campground. Quick drive to Fairplay, and wonderful national forest road to walk, bike or whatever down. We took wonderful walks with the dogs and found areas where additional campsites and recreation activities once existed. Site 18 is great for large groups and if you want or be away from other camps. The pull in from 285 is a bit rough, so be prepared and use GPS so you have a warning of where to turn. The road is closed January to June.
This CPW campground is right off Highway 50 and is easy to pull in and out with a trailer. For how busy the campground sites and roads are, the campground is surprisingly quiet. Epic Mountain Views and awesome Arkansas river access make it a great spot for a trip to the area. Salida is a short drive or good walk from the campground, and a lot of restaurants and shops are less than ten minutes from the campground.
No water or trash service, but port-a-Johns are scattered throughout the campsites and vault toilets on the west side near the ramp exist for day users and some campers. Campsites are close together and do not offer much privacy, but the cost is less than the nearby RV parks and private campgrounds. We were in site 1617 for a two night stay in summer, and found the campground packed Saturday night and dead by noon on Sunday. Fishing and rafting is just feet away, and there are numerous recreation options to choose from in the area.
Very little shade on campsites and many sites are in a parking lot on the east side of the campground. There is a nice trail that takes campers down to the river, and plenty of access for fishing. Since they fire ban had just lifted, our fire pit was not maintained, but it wasn’t difficult to clean out. Hot during the day and cool and night, and overall a good experience.
Super easy access for a quick trip to hit the Colorado Trail. We stayed in sight 22, and realized the map on the reservation system was a bit skewed as it is very close to the bathrooms. We were close to the Colorado trail and took a wonderful hike in the rain with the kids. The trail is well maintained as is the campground and sites. Our 23 ft camper and truck fit in the site nicely, although close to the campground road, it seems typical for a pull through in a campground like this.
Many reviews mention the road noise, but it is nothing compared to campgrounds in the Vail area with semis on I-70. It is mainly white noise and the result of being so close to a highway. This campground is a forest wonderland, and busy until late and early in the morning. This makes a great one night stop, but I wouldn’t want more than that in site 22. Sites 10 and 14 looked promising with more privacy for longer stays.
Camp hosts were very helpful.
Large campground with many sites that fill up during weekends in the summer, and can be loud in some areas of the campground. Vault toilets are super smelly, but many spots ideal for campers and RV made this a moot point for us other than when walking through the campground. Easy hike to Manitou Lake Recreation Area for fishing, and we always get at least one fish on the line here! Just a quick 10 min drive to Woodland Park and various amenities. Some of the sites have electric but no sewer or water, and there is an extra $3 a night for electric. Site 56 fit our 23’ camper and truck with room to spare and provided wide expanse of campsite for the kids and dogs to play away from other campsites. Road noise on this side of the campground can be heard from the 67, but it would have been worse in a tent. Last summer our spot was on the east side of the campground with very little noise in comparison. Saturday night was very busy and noisy all around with campers and traffic, but Sunday was quite peaceful in comparison. The campground road is easy to access and drive as it is paved and well maintained, and sites are clean and easy to get in and out of. The camp hosts were friendly and helpful, but, due to Restrictions on gatherings in the summer of 2020, the ranger talks at the amphitheater were cancelled.
This is a wonderful campground at the end of the road near the dam and right next to the Platte. This is a wonderful spot for fly fishing, and can get busy sharing the river with day visitors. This would be a challenge for large campers to get to, and archways through the rock on the road in make for a cool drive but limits what will make it down the road. We had a long spot with two pads and plenty of space. There is a wonderful hike at the East end of camp that takes hikers up to amazing views, but the trail is unclear in points so be cautious and look for markers. Site 12 was perfect for our family with a lot of space and up away from other campsites. The site was outlined by trees and plenty of rocks to climb and explore. Vault toilets were clean and accessible, busy campground with more crowding near the entrance.
This is a very popular spot for families with easy access to the South Platte for tubing and swimming, but not ideal for fisherman as many people playing in the river. Campsites are well spaced, clean and have enough space for two tents and vehicles to exist comfortably. Campers and small motor homes can access some of these spots, but be aware the road is a bit bumpy.
During weekend days the foot traffic into the campground increases with day hikers coming in to access the trails, and walk-in sites must be passed to get to trailheads. If you like privacy choose a spot away from the trailhead and bathrooms. Camping sites on the inside of the drive-in loop do not have trees and are hot in the summer.
Make reservations early for weekends, and expect this campground to be busy all summer long. However, it is worth the trip and access to the river. Some notes - north end sites come up to a fence bordering private property, and residents on the other side may cause some discomfort for campers with dogs and late night activities. These residents are not always present, but it made for different experiences on the two trips we have taken to this campground. The hikes are wonderful but make sure to take plenty of water and the rocks can get slick in the rain.
Vault toilets were clean but busy with many families filling sites each weekend, and throughout the week these can get stinky fast. Site host was helpful and nice.