Pike National Forest

Painted Rocks is a rustic, family-friendly campground on the edge of a sunny meadow and close to easy hiking, biking, fishing, and paddling opportunities. Not a party spot by any stretch of the imagination, this place is magic for kids, dogs, and relaxation experts. The popular Centennial Bike Trail is just 1/2-mile from the campground, and the 5- Read more...

With plenty of campsites to choose from, South Meadows Campground is a great choice to kick-off a long holiday weekend camp extravaganza. Your camp’s got all the hooked-up amenities AND is a stones throw from the Centennial Trail, a path connecting Manitou Lake to the town of Woodland Park. So after chillin’ at the lake with your crew, swing by ca Read more...

Head high into the mountains and spend the night with moose, elk, golden eagles, and porcupines at Timberline Campground. Timberline is rustic and secluded, and the campsites are flat, shady, and darn-near perfect. Hike a section of the Colorado Trail, drag the kids to town to check out the South Park City Museum, or just chill at the campground a Read more...

Come find somebody to love at Jefferson Creek Campground. Don’t be shy, there's no shame in this nature game! That somebody can be a creek, a lake, a conifer tree. Sitting atop a ridge overlooking its namesake creek, it’s hard not to fall in the love with the scenery. Located 1 mile from Jefferson Lake means you are only a short walk away from som Read more...

Families take notice--Colorado Campground may lack the excitement of Disney World, but it’s a perfect weekend destination for unplugging and honing your fishing and paddling skills. Situated almost 8,000 feet above sea level, and just a short walk from pristine Manitou Lake, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more peaceful and secluded spot than thi Read more...

Do you consider yourself a purveyor of adventures? Then you best gather the crew and head to Spillway Campground. Hugging the South Platte River, this prime spot offers gorgeous views of the surrounding wild and is watched over by spruce and ponderosa pine. Its neighbors with Eleven Mile Canyon, which was cut by the river back in the day. Tape up Read more...

Get swept away by the encompassing views of the mountain ranges here at Springer Gulch Campground. Inside the Eleven Mile Canyon, you can enjoy a short walk to the South Platter River (fly fishing galore!) or take to the nearby Overlook Trail for killer views of the entire canyon. This is also a rock climber’s paradise, offering plenty of crags an Read more...

Fiending for that mountain-life experience? Creekside camping at Aspen Campground is the perfect way to free your head. Let yourself be lulled by the fresh air of aspens and spruce, and follow your feet a few miles to Jefferson Lake, a pristine high elevation lake surrounded by 12,000-foot peaks, and try your hand at trout fishing or dip your toes Read more...

Twin Eagle Campground Is seasonally available campsites are all seasonally available, offering just a few primitive campsites to choose from; the general area is, however, open year-round. Make note to either bring your own water supply or some sort of filtering device―because you’re going to be hella’ thirsty if you don’t Make note that Twin Eagl Read more...

Feel the wind in your hair and the rush of freedom at Flat Rocks Campground, a rugged, woodsy destination much more exciting than its name would suggest. Perfect for ATV and motorcycle riders, Flat Rocks lets you ride your vehicles right into the grounds and connect up with surrounding trails. It’s also an alternative for hikers and sightseers wan Read more...

River access? Yes, please! Ouzel Campground is one of several places in the area to enjoy the South Platte River along with some some quality peace and quiet. This is a tent-only site with no host, so those who like their camping DIY will have reason to rejoice. Firewood is available at nearby Lone Rock Campground. Beer and marshmallows, those are Read more...

Sweet valley high! Enjoy spectacular mountain and forest scenery at Burning Bear Campground, a smaller, rustic destination in a prime viewing area known as the “high country” that may be. . . erm, highly in demand come summer. The Mount Evans Wilderness and Burning Bear trail are both fair game for hiking, biking and larger-than-life sightseeing. Read more...

The Crags is a geological wonder near Colorado Springs. Think giant pillars of eroded stone reaching high into the clouds like a colossal, sleeping creature from another world. Most people who venture out to the Crags Campground are embarking on the 2-mile hike to get a glimpse of these magnificent natural monsters! It’s a popular trail, but the c Read more...

Those snow capped mountains you see are actually called “Buffalo Peaks,” located mere miles from Weston Campground! Like Blue Mountain Campground, you’ll be catching your breath while pitching-up your well-insulated tent at one of the area’s fourteen campsites. Get ready for some high altitude adventurin'. Read more...

Just a stone’s throw away from Colorado Springs, the Pike Community campground is the perfect place for, well, community. There’s baseball fields, a sand volleyball court, a playground, and a horseshoe pit, all surrounded by ponderosa pine forest. With so many sports options you might as well bring the whole group. And since the campground is esse Read more...

Tent? Check. Beer? If someone's gonna carry it in and out! Keep things simple at Platte River Campground, where you’ll have to make do with what you can lug to and from your site. With no host around but specific quiet hours, you’ve gotta be on your best behavior and make your own fun. But none of that’s a problem, right? Enjoy the river during th Read more...

Ahh, it smells like mountains and fresh pine needles out here (this rustic group campsite is surrounded by tall, ponderosa pines on all sides). Stay the night or reserve it for the day--either way, your group is going to love you for finding such a prime location. A mere 20 miles from Colorado Springs, it’ll be easy to get the gang back together a Read more...

Devil’s Head Campground is a hugely popular landmark destination known for its cool rock formations. And to answer your question, yes, the campground is named after one such cool rock formation that looks like. . . you guessed it. Sites are limited and first-come, first-served, so you’ll want to snag yours before heading out to enjoy crazy spectac Read more...