- Pike National Forest
The best camping in Pike National Forest, CO
85% (68)
A surprisingly diverse landscape sprawled throughout a huge national forest.
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Ameliea
2 weeks ago
With pets
It was an incredible getaway and the staff was extremely kind and helpful , even on a national holiday!
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Evan
November 2025
22 ft travel trailer
Tim was an awesome host, super helpful shining an extra light when we arrived after dark to park the trailer. Quiet and peaceful property to spend a weekend, will be back. Thanks Tim!
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D Mark
November 2025
21 ft Class B
Great place to camp, friendly host, clean, well kept, and there were horses for us to pet.
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Sean
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Rustic Glamorous Artist's Cabin
Great spot! It is nice and quiet. Deborah was easy to communicate with!
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Elizabeth
October 2025
Tent
With pets
We had a great stay and the site was beautiful. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful upon our arrival. Can’t wait to return.
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Anne
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Little Buffalo Cabin
What a wonderful visit to the sweetest Cabin imaginable. Hartsell is a darling little town with lots to do within a short drive… Hot Springs, a drive-in, movie theater, great restaurants and outdoor activities. The house was exactly as pictured with wood for the fireplace, a well stocked kitchen, a cozy bed, plenty of extra blankets and pillows, and absolutely stunning views. We had an incredible time and would go back in a heartbeat!
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Jordan
October 2025
Tent
We had a blast at Glen Isle. Everything from camping to fishing to disc golf everything was fantastic. Hosts were amazing and the campsite was private and riverside. A great close getaway and a few days in paradise. Cute horses and donkeys as well. Best campsite we have been to all year. It’s the total package!
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Trevor
October 2025
30 ft travel trailer
Very comfortable, quiet place to get away from the noise of life.
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Brian
October 2025
25 ft travel trailer
Awesome spot. Host was amazing and was quick to answer all our questions. 10/10 would recommend!
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Danielle
October 2025
Tent
We loved staying on Tim's land. He was attentive and suggested places to go and see and the site was secluded but also has access to a community area. The scenery couldn't be beat.
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Dylan
October 2025
Tent
Tons of wildlife! Saw plenty of pronghorn, deer, eagles, and a massive heard of bighorn sheep. It’s a very open area which means the view is great, but it can get extremely windy in the afternoon.
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Troy
October 2025
Tent
With pets
We had a fantastic experience there the weather was decent and a little bit cold at night if you stay down next to the river you should expect it to be about 10 to 15 degrees colder than the rest of the place because of the water. There were plenty of trees to hang your hammock on and plenty of space to put up a tent you could even go back into a more secluded area that was up against The Rock face back behind trees if you wanted. We had a great time we walked around we got a tour of the lodge which was really cool. And we went to the Sasquatch Outpost and Bailey as well several other places that were open it was really great time. We also went for a hike on the pain gulch trail which was very pretty very good views. I would highly recommend camping at this campground the only downside was the road traffic because of the highway right there could be a little loud at times but it didn't interfere with sleeping or anything else.
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Nicole
October 2025
20 ft campervan
Easy to get in and out of and good bathrooms! Wish we had more time to check out the other amenities offered on the ranch
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Erica
October 2025
15 ft campervan
With kids
This place was beautifully remote, yet accessible enough that we could get there without four-wheel drive. The stars at night were just incredible. Our hosts greeted us when we arrived, and there was a space available just for us at the top of the hill. We would probably have seen other campers, had we not been the only ones.
Thanks for a great stay!
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Lisa
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Absolutely gorgeous place if you need/want to disconnect and truly enjoy some peace and quiet. The huge fire pit with log seats, hanging grill and picnic table was great and we appreciated the thoughtful wood pieces left behind to use for the campfire.
Arthur is super responsive and the views both in the morning and at night were stunning.
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Kimberly
October 2025
19 ft travel trailer
With pets
This is one of the most beautiful camp sites we have been to this year. Tim is great to work with and we appreciate him for sharing this property with us. If you get a chance to book, I would highly suggest you do. Spending time fishing with my young grandaughter was the best part of our trip. and the fishing was excellent. I also loved being able to take my dogs without any worries. Just a beautiful property.
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Chester
October 2025
Tent
Exactly as advertised, and all I needed. Land for the night.
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Terran
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Yeti Sanctuary
Very quiet, secluded, and away from people camp. 8800’ elevation, water, and fun hosts who host a communal campfire each night. Very dog friendly, abcs a fun return to our earlier tent camping days.
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Aimee
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Yeti Sanctuary
Absolutely loved this spot! The small cabin is very comfortable & has everything you need in regard to chairs, cookware, etc. My only advice would be to be sure to know your way out because Google maps got me there easily but there’s no cell service so be sure to remember your way back. Beautiful lake & Tim was so helpful!
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Joseph
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Tim had a great spot for hip campers. The spots were a bit closer than expected but we had a great time on a beautiful piece of land.
See moreTop public campgrounds in the park
Stay at a public campground in Pike National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds
The best camping in Pike National Forest, CO guide
Overview
About
This enormous (1,106,604 acres!) national forest sits in Colorado's Front Range, west of Colorado Springs.
Amateur mountaineers might want to challenge themselves against the famous Pikes Peak. There's a reason the view from the mountaintop inspired the classic "America the Beautiful!" It's a particularly tough hike at 13.5 miles of rugged terrain, though.
The convenient midpoint of Barr Camp lets you stop to rest, eat or sleep. Looking for a great view but not so great of a challenge? Drive partway up Pikes Peak Highway and snag the free shuttle to reach the summit.
Other major peaks in the forest include Mount Bierstadt and Mount Evans. All are among Colorado's 53 "fourteeners," peaks with elevations of 14,000 feet or more.
If slightly more leisurely exploration is your bag, definitely head into the Lost Creek Wilderness. A 27.6-mile loop trail takes you through gorgeous valleys and streams. Multiple campgrounds make it easy to turn this into an overnight adventure.
Nearby attractions
Experience celestial beauty while camping near the Garden of the Gods. With the orange glow of towering sandstone formations, it offers a heavenly escape for campers yearning for unforgettable views and soul-stirring sunsets.
85%
68 ratings · 35 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Pikes peak summit
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Liliane R.
4 reviews
This is the perfect place to crash for the night. Felt nice and secluded but it’s only a couple minutes from the highway. Highly recommended!!
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Austin M.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2021
Secluded, but not far off the road.
You can hear road noise all night long though on the highway.
There are no signs posted about bears, as well as the trash cans are not the bear proof type.
But be aware, there are bears.
I was in site 3. Only one other camper was in that lower loop.
A young bear, likely a problem orphan (it had ear tags) was digging in a fire pit next to the other campers.
I drove over and honked and gooted and it ran a few hundred yards, then stopped in the trees and stared and wouldn't go any further.
So this is a bear habituated to people.
Be bear aware all over this area.
Tammy H.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2020
The best thing about this campground is the first-come, first-served status. With only 13 sites, this could be scary. We went on Labor Day weekend and had 6 sites to choose from on Friday, two on Saturday night and 10 on Sunday night. Good access to the Rich Creek Trail. Creek runs just yards from camp. Fire rings and tables are in good shape. Older style toilet, but it's okay.
Downside…No water, so bring your own. And you have to take your trash out.
And the road is a little rough coming up from Fairplay. I understand it's really rough coming from Leadville.
David R.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2020
Beautiful scenery and a lot of places to wander/explore. Smaller campground (12 spots). Stargazing was 100! Looking forward to returning. Bathrooms on site.
Lindsay M.
7 years on Hipcamp
May 2020
Can't wait to be here. Hope it will be open June 11 2020
Sheranda T.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2020
Great site, but could still be cold even in June (2019). We had a few snow flurrys. Great open area and creek (very full) in back of many site. Extremely wooded, lots of privacy. Just a short drive up the road to Jefferson Lake. Would recommend. Hope for less rain if you go in June.
Mark S.
10 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2019
Nice little campground that tends to get very thick with mosquitos July thru August. This camp is right on Tarryall creek and has a vault toilet. The toilet is a fairly long walk from most of the sites. Big distances between most sites and a steep climb to some. Just dont forget your skeeter spray!
J Candcynthia S.
6 years on Hipcamp
January 2019
Kite Lake is the perfect Decalibron base camp. It is a no frills camping area, but the fact that you can wakeup at the trailhead for your alpine start makes it worthwhile. The pit toilets are the only luxury. There is a small fee (self-serve) for parking a vehicle and staying overnight. Keep in mind that the weather changes rapidly at that elevation and that you will want a tent that can withstand the strong wind gusts.
Leah R.
7 years on Hipcamp
Not recommend
· September 2018
There are too many rules, why have a campground next to one of the largest atv trails but you literally cant even push them around on the DIRT trails that are inside the campground? Just drive like 30 feet further and set up your own free campsite.
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Jason R.
7 years on Hipcamp
Not recommend
· September 2018
There are too many rules
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Jason R.
7 years on Hipcamp
July 2018
Nice place, but NO water available!
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Amy H.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2018
The camp hosts were a little kooky but go there on a week night, you’ll have your pick of all the sites, and the hosts might even throw you a discount.
Xanthe &.
27 reviews
Recommends
· January 2018
Great access to Lost Creek wilderness.
Terry G.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2018
Great trout fishing along the creek and at at the beaver ponds. There are three campgrounds in the area and all are secluded. As usual with Colorado reservations are needed.
Terry G.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2017
I'm a backcountry camper
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Ryan L.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2017
Dispersed camping where we stayed. Go early for a good spot!
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Zak L.
8 years on Hipcamp
Not recommend
· June 2017
Well no longer provides water. Firewood not purchasable, very open and can see everyone. No immediate hiking trails.
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Jennifer G.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2017
If you want privacy this is an excellent place to go. I was the only one there in my time. There's a trailhead in the camp which leads you to the Rich creek trail. There is an outlook about 30 minutes hike from camp that is a quick trip. I would also recommend driving up the trail road that goes by the camp. Disperse camping spots right by the creek. Beautiful place high on my list.
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Jake R.
8 years on Hipcamp
June 2017
This campground was such a bummer. It's basically just a large pull-out on the side of a fairly busy mountain road. For $15/night you get a little piece of dirt, a table, and a fire ring. There were a few unlevel porta-potties in the parking lot which were the extent of the facilities. We happened to come through on a Friday, so it was very busy and loud until the wee hours of the morning. I would stay again if it was free dispersed camping, but definitely not for what they charged.
Melinda H.
9 years on Hipcamp
May 2017
Small, quant, shady campground. Nicely spaced sites that are a decent size. Plenty of great hikes and mountain biking nearby. Site is just off a road which is frequented by motorcycle groups, can be noisy.
Amy F.
10 years on Hipcamp
May 2017
We were able to make reservations. Campground is a hub for off roaders. Site was large and roomy, and shady due to pine trees. Lot of traffic and gun range noise during the day.
Amy F.
10 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2017
The scenery is amazing
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Matt G.
8 years on Hipcamp
February 2017
Dirt bike^
Caroline C.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2017
Devils head has awesome off-roading trails and diatribe trails
Caroline C.
8 years on Hipcamp
December 2016
This is a great place to camp the night before starting out on the Lost Creek loop backpacking trail. There is also a lot of fly fishing in the area.
Ryan R.
10 years on Hipcamp
September 2016
Great little campsite right on the river, right off the highway.
About 100 yards from the parking lot to the furthest campsite.
Gets pretty busy on the weekends, lots of fishermen use the area as river access.
There is NO TRASH PICKUP here. So, for the love of all things holy, please pack your trash out.
David P.
10 years on Hipcamp
August 2016
We camped out here last weekend to watch the Perseid meteor shower and couldn't have been more pleased! It was remote but still close to Denver. The site was HUGE and flat, perfect for our tent. There happened to be a bunch of horse trailer campers up there this weekend, and we even got to go on a little bareback ride up one of the many trails. Highly recommend this spot.
Steph W.
9 years on Hipcamp
June 2016
Do not camp at site #8; it has absolutely no decent place to pitch a tent. We tent camp often and it's safe to say this was THE WORST campsite. Ever.
Now, as for the other sites... the first ones looked nice but I'd worry about getting flooded in the event of rain. In fact most of the sites seemed to have gullies running thru them. I'd say the "best" sites are 9, 10 & 15.
The sites are extremely close together but even if they were a half mile apart, there would be no escaping the loud and fowl-mouthed group of men next to us, drinkin' round the campfire. We got to hear them debase women and use the f-word all night long. Both nights. Sigh. The campsite host was there only briefly in the two nights we spent there. What a shame.
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Patty M.
9 years on Hipcamp
October 2015
The road to kite lake is long and rough. I made it in a compact car, but it was tricky. The worst part is right before the campground. Once you're there, its beautiful, but cold, so be prepared! Its name is Kite Lake because it looks like a kite on a string from way above. You can bag three 14ers from this site; Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Democrat, and Mt. Cameron. Mount Bross is also a 14er, but it is currently on private property, so you are asked to please respect those rules. The powers that be are currently trying to gain access to the mountain and having people trespass isn't making it any easier.
Jody C.
5 reviews