The best dog-friendly camping near Salt Creek

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A tiny town just outside Pueblo, Salt Creek sits just south of the mighty Arkansas River and offers all sorts of opportunities for whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing. It’s a great jumping-off point for exploring Royal Gorge, the old gold rush towns of Cripple Creek and Victor, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Services are limited in Salt Creek, but you’ll find everything you could need in neighboring Pueblo. Popular nearby camping spots include Lake Pueblo State Park and RV parks along the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway. 

95% (1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Salt Creek

3. Secluded Rio Cucharas Ranch

55%
(10)
44mi from Salt Creek · 1 site · Tent, RV
This 3+ acre property located in the Rio Cucharas Subdivision is situated just north of Lathrop State Park and just west of the town of Walsenburg. The property is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and boasts stunning views of the nearby Sangre de Cristos, Spanish Peaks, Silver Mountains, Sheep Mountain, Little Sheep Mountain and Greenhorn Mountain to name a few. The property is located on Cielo Azul Dr (identified as Cello Azui Dr on Google Maps) and has well-graded dirt/gravel road access. There is a dirt driveway off of Cielo Azul Dr to access the property (2WD accessible). Lathrop State Park is located only 5 minutes south of the property and offers plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, wind-surfing and general relaxation on the beach. The lake features a number of species of fish including rainbow trout, walleye, catfish, blue gills, tiger muskies and the regrettably names crappie. As you drive onto the property it gently slopes upwards and then flattens out for some nice camping spots and beautiful views of the surrounding area. The property is in a very quiet and secluded area where you will not be bothered by noisy neighbors or busy roads.
Campfires
from 
$15
 / night

4. Big Sky Vista - Silver Cliff

43mi from Salt Creek · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Big Sky Vista: 360° Views & Dark Sky Summit Escape the noise and find your high-altitude paradise at Big Sky Vista. Perched high on an open ridge, our property offers a true top-of-the-world feeling with jaw-dropping, 360-degree views that will leave you breathless. This is your chance to truly disconnect, breathe the crisp mountain air, and witness a cosmic spectacle every single night. What You'll Experience The Views (They're Everywhere!) Prepare for vistas that photos can't capture. From your campsite, you'll have an unobstructed panorama of the entire Wet Mountain Valley sprawling below. Gaze west at the jagged, dramatic peaks of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, including the famous Crestones. To the east, the rolling Wet Mountains complete the circle. Watch thunderstorms roll across the valley, see the sun paint the peaks in alpenglow, and feel the immense scale of the Colorado wilderness. A True Dark Sky Experience Westcliffe isn't just dark, it's officially recognized as an International Dark Sky Community. Here at Big Sky Vista, you're at a front-row seat to the universe. Once the sun sets, the sky transforms into a velvet black canvas blanketed with an impossible number of stars. The Milky Way cuts a brilliant path overhead, and you'll spot constellations and shooting stars with unbelievable clarity. Bring a telescope or simply lay back and get lost in the cosmos. Embrace the Off-Grid Life Our property offers a rustic, self-reliant camping experience. This is your opportunity to unplug and live simply. Off-Grid: Please be prepared for a true off-grid stay. There are no power or water hookups at the sites. You must bring your own water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning, as well as your own power sources (power packs, solar chargers, etc.). Leave No Trace: We are passionate about our land. All guests must pack out everything they pack in. Things To Do On the Property: Unplug & Recharge: This is the perfect place to read a book, meditate, or simply sit and be present. Photography: Capture incredible landscapes, sunrises, sunsets, and astrophotography.
from 
$35
 / night

A tiny town just outside Pueblo, Salt Creek sits just south of the mighty Arkansas River and offers all sorts of opportunities for whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing. It’s a great jumping-off point for exploring Royal Gorge, the old gold rush towns of Cripple Creek and Victor, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Services are limited in Salt Creek, but you’ll find everything you could need in neighboring Pueblo. Popular nearby camping spots include Lake Pueblo State Park and RV parks along the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway. 

95% (1K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Salt Creek

3. Secluded Rio Cucharas Ranch

55%
(10)
44mi from Salt Creek · 1 site · Tent, RV
This 3+ acre property located in the Rio Cucharas Subdivision is situated just north of Lathrop State Park and just west of the town of Walsenburg. The property is surrounded by picturesque mountain ranges and boasts stunning views of the nearby Sangre de Cristos, Spanish Peaks, Silver Mountains, Sheep Mountain, Little Sheep Mountain and Greenhorn Mountain to name a few. The property is located on Cielo Azul Dr (identified as Cello Azui Dr on Google Maps) and has well-graded dirt/gravel road access. There is a dirt driveway off of Cielo Azul Dr to access the property (2WD accessible). Lathrop State Park is located only 5 minutes south of the property and offers plenty of opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, wind-surfing and general relaxation on the beach. The lake features a number of species of fish including rainbow trout, walleye, catfish, blue gills, tiger muskies and the regrettably names crappie. As you drive onto the property it gently slopes upwards and then flattens out for some nice camping spots and beautiful views of the surrounding area. The property is in a very quiet and secluded area where you will not be bothered by noisy neighbors or busy roads.
Campfires
from 
$15
 / night

4. Big Sky Vista - Silver Cliff

43mi from Salt Creek · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Big Sky Vista: 360° Views & Dark Sky Summit Escape the noise and find your high-altitude paradise at Big Sky Vista. Perched high on an open ridge, our property offers a true top-of-the-world feeling with jaw-dropping, 360-degree views that will leave you breathless. This is your chance to truly disconnect, breathe the crisp mountain air, and witness a cosmic spectacle every single night. What You'll Experience The Views (They're Everywhere!) Prepare for vistas that photos can't capture. From your campsite, you'll have an unobstructed panorama of the entire Wet Mountain Valley sprawling below. Gaze west at the jagged, dramatic peaks of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, including the famous Crestones. To the east, the rolling Wet Mountains complete the circle. Watch thunderstorms roll across the valley, see the sun paint the peaks in alpenglow, and feel the immense scale of the Colorado wilderness. A True Dark Sky Experience Westcliffe isn't just dark, it's officially recognized as an International Dark Sky Community. Here at Big Sky Vista, you're at a front-row seat to the universe. Once the sun sets, the sky transforms into a velvet black canvas blanketed with an impossible number of stars. The Milky Way cuts a brilliant path overhead, and you'll spot constellations and shooting stars with unbelievable clarity. Bring a telescope or simply lay back and get lost in the cosmos. Embrace the Off-Grid Life Our property offers a rustic, self-reliant camping experience. This is your opportunity to unplug and live simply. Off-Grid: Please be prepared for a true off-grid stay. There are no power or water hookups at the sites. You must bring your own water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning, as well as your own power sources (power packs, solar chargers, etc.). Leave No Trace: We are passionate about our land. All guests must pack out everything they pack in. Things To Do On the Property: Unplug & Recharge: This is the perfect place to read a book, meditate, or simply sit and be present. Photography: Capture incredible landscapes, sunrises, sunsets, and astrophotography.
from 
$35
 / night

Public campgrounds near Salt Creek

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The best dog-friendly camping near Salt Creek guide

Where to go

Pueblo

Just five minutes from Salt Creek, Pueblo is popular with paddle sports enthusiasts. The Arkansas River flows through town and even has a man-made whitewater park within walking distance of downtown. Campers will find several RV parks on the outskirts, plus plenty of lakeside campsites at Lake Pueblo State Park, just 20 minutes west of Pueblo.    

Cripple Creek

The famous old gold rush town of Cripple Creek is a little less than two hours from Salt Creek via the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway. The entire route winds 131 miles through some of Colorado’s biggest gold rush areas and offers mining ruins and historic sites to see along the way. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is one of the top attractions in the area with incredible views of this 1,200-foot deep canyon carved by the Arkansa River. 

Westcliffe

Heading west from Salt Creek towards the jagged Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Westcliffe is a quiet community nestled at the base of the mountains and the perfect basecamp for adventures into this lesser-known range. Hikers and mountain bikers will find over 100 miles of trails to explore, and climbers can tackle challenging peaks, including 10 over 14,000 feet. Several national forest campgrounds and dispersed camping options are easily accessible west of town. 

When to go

Salt Creek’s mild year-round temperatures make it a worthwhile destination any time of year. Plus, this region doesn’t see as much traffic as some of Colorado’s more popular mountain towns, making it an excellent option for avoiding summertime crowds. April through August is typically the best time for rafting and kayaking on the Arkansas River, and hiking and camping in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is best from June through September. Many Salt Creek area campgrounds, including the campgrounds at Lake Pueblo State Park, remain open year-round.  

Know before you go

  1. Services are limited in Salt Creek, Colorado but you should be able to find everything you need in terms of groceries and last-minute camping items in nearby Pueblo
  2. Campground reservations are strongly recommended at Lake Pueblo State Park in summer. Reservations can be made online and over the phone six months in advance.
  3. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available in Pueblo and at Lake Pueblo State Park.