Spruce Group - Lake Isabel

PSICC

Tucked away in Colorado's scenic San Carlos District, Ophir Creek Campground invites you to disconnect and immerse yourself in mountain serenity. With 31 thoughtfully placed sites, including dedicated tent camping areas (sites 20-31) and coveted creekside spots (sites 17-19), this hidden gem offers the perfect balance of accessibility and wilderness escape. Wake to the gentle melody of Ophir Creek, spend your days discovering cascading waterfalls on nearby trails, or try your luck fishing in the crystal-clear mountain waters. Surrounded by towering pines and shimmering aspens, this campground serves as your basecamp for authentic Colorado adventures.

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Venture off the beaten path into the raw wilderness of Medano Pass Primitive Road, where adventure seekers discover secluded camping spots scattered along this challenging backcountry route in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. This rugged journey rewards those with capable 4-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicles with pristine, first-come, first-served campsites that cost nothing but promise everything—solitude, starlit skies, and the gentle murmur of nearby Medano Creek. As you navigate this primitive road, keep your eyes peeled for majestic bighorn sheep traversing their natural habitat. While these coveted spots remain delightfully uncrowded during weekdays, savvy adventurers know to arrive early on summer weekends when word spreads about this hidden gem.

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, Canon City, CO, USA

Perched in a wildflower-dotted meadow with sweeping views of Lake Isabel's western shores, La Vista Campground lives up to its name—'the view' in Spanish. This mountain retreat beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its perfect blend of water and wilderness activities. Whether you're casting a line into the crystal-clear lake, paddling silently across its glassy surface, or spotting mountain bluebirds among the pines, La Vista offers an authentic Colorado mountain experience. Towering ponderosa pines and quaking aspens provide natural shade throughout the campground, creating cool microclimates even on warm summer days. At 8,600 feet, the crisp mountain air and star-filled nights remind you just how far you've climbed from the everyday world below.

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, Canon City, CO, 81212, USA

Tucked away in the enchanting Lake Isabel Recreation Area, St. Charles Campground offers an intimate escape where towering Douglas firs and quaking aspens create a natural cathedral overhead. The melodic babble of St. Charles Creek provides the soundtrack to your stay, while modern conveniences like bear-proof lockers, fire pits, vault toilets, and fresh drinking water ensure comfort meets wilderness. This peaceful mountain retreat invites you to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature's timeless rhythms.

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, CANON CITY, CO 81212, USA

Nestled among towering pines and whispering aspens, Ponderosa Group Campground beckons to families, reunions, and adventure groups seeking the perfect basecamp in Colorado's high country. This thoughtfully designed group retreat features a spacious picnic shelter for communal gatherings, recreational facilities for endless entertainment, and easy access to the sparkling waters of Lake Isabel. From your shaded campsite, drink in panoramic views of the majestic Wet Mountains while enjoying the cool mountain air that makes summer camping here a refreshing escape.

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, CANON CITY, CO 81212, USA

Step back in time at Mingus Ranch, where a lovingly restored 1908 homestead cabin invites you to experience the authentic spirit of Colorado's pioneering past. Nestled in the heart of the Wet Mountains, this historic retreat combines rustic charm with modern comforts, featuring electric heat for chilly mountain nights and an electric stove for preparing hearty meals. The cabin's period-specific furnishings transport you to a simpler era while accommodating up to six guests in cozy comfort. Outside, gather around the crackling firepit under star-filled skies, let horses graze in the provided corral, or enjoy meals at the picnic table with sweeping mountain views. While the experience remains authentically rustic with vault toilet facilities and no running water, the cabin offers a perfect balance of historic ambiance and practical amenities.

11500 Highway 150, Mosca, CO 81146, USA

Nestled at the edge of North America's tallest sand dunes, Pinon Flats Campground invites adventurers to wake up to one of nature's most stunning paradoxes—towering golden dunes set against snow-capped peaks. This 88-site sanctuary within Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve offers mostly non-electric camping across thoughtfully designed loops, where the whisper of shifting sands meets the rustle of pinon pines. Here, campers find themselves perfectly positioned to explore 750-foot dunes by day and stargaze under some of Colorado's darkest skies by night.

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, Canon City, CO 81212, USA

Nestled along the shores of Lake Isabel, Southside Campground offers an intimate RV camping experience in the heart of the Wet Mountains. This cozy facility features smooth, paved roads winding through pull-through sites perfectly sized for RVs under 30 feet. While designed with RV enthusiasts in mind, adventurous tent campers are welcome to stake their claim among the mountain pines. Essential amenities include vault toilets and fresh drinking water, creating a back-to-basics atmosphere that lets you truly disconnect and immerse yourself in Colorado's high-country splendor.

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, Canon City, CO 81212, USA

Step back in time at Davenport Campground, where the romance of 1920s outdoor adventure lives on through thoughtfully reconstructed Adirondack shelters and vintage-inspired design. Tucked away in the secluded embrace of Colorado's Wet Mountains, this intimate campground offers a rare escape from the modern world. Here, where mountain trails beckon and pristine waters teem with trout, you'll discover the same unspoiled wilderness that captivated early Forest Service pioneers nearly a century ago.

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, CANON CITY, CO, 81212, USA

Escape to Lake Isabel Cabin, where rustic mountain charm meets modern convenience in the heart of Colorado's wilderness. This thoughtfully appointed retreat seamlessly blends the comfort of home with the call of the wild—imagine preparing fresh-caught trout in your fully equipped kitchen, then settling by the crackling fireplace as stars emerge over the pine-covered peaks. With a washer and dryer at your disposal and scenic trails just steps from your door, you'll find the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation in this year-round mountain sanctuary.

640 Pueblo Reservoir Road, Pueblo, Colorado, 81005, United States

Sprawling across 4,500 acres of shimmering reservoir waters, Lake Pueblo State Park beckons adventurers with 400 diverse campsites nestled throughout its scenic landscape. Whether you're pitching a tent under starlit skies, settling in with your pick-up camper, or navigating your motorhome through winding park roads, this outdoor paradise offers the perfect basecamp for your Colorado adventure. Anglers cast their lines into waters teeming with fish while water enthusiasts carve through waves against a backdrop of stunning mountain vistas.

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, CANON CITY, CO 81212, USA

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, Canon City, CO 81212, USA

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, Canon City, CO, USA

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, Canon City, CO, 81212, USA

PSICC

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, CANON CITY, CO, 81212, USA

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, Canon City, CO 81212, USA

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT, 3028 EAST MAIN STREET, CANON CITY, CO 81212, USA

Campgrounds - Taylor Park Area, Campfire Ranch on the Taylor

Escape to Campfire Ranch on the Taylor, where the art of tent camping reaches new heights in Colorado's breathtaking Gunnison Valley. This carefully curated, tent-only retreat invites you to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature's simple pleasures. Wake up to the aroma of fresh pancake breakfasts wafting through the pines, gather around crackling fires fueled by complimentary firewood, and let the sound of the Taylor River lull you to sleep under star-studded skies. With pristine drinking water at your fingertips and meticulously maintained sites nestled among towering trees, this isn't just camping—it's an elevated outdoor experience that honors the timeless tradition of sleeping under canvas.

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Tucked away in the pristine wilderness of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, Pines Campground offers an authentic high-country camping experience at 9,200 feet. This intimate campground features just 11 sites along the babbling South Fork of the Michigan River, where the sound of rushing water provides nature's soundtrack to your mountain retreat. While beetle kill has opened up the forest canopy, creating sun-drenched sites perfect for stargazing, visitors appreciate the campground's easy accessibility and rustic charm. As one camper noted, it's a 'great little campground' that delivers simplicity and natural beauty in equal measure.

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Perched in the heart of the Trappers Lake Recreation Area, Trapline Campground offers 11 thoughtfully arranged sites along a single loop, where the landscape opens up to endless Colorado skies. Unlike the dense forest campgrounds below, Trapline embraces its high-altitude setting with sun-drenched sites that bask in natural light from dawn to dusk. Here, the commanding presence of the Flat Tops Wilderness stretches across the horizon, creating a backdrop that transforms with each passing hour as shadows dance across ancient peaks and valleys.

WHITE RIVER

Nestled in a tranquil Rocky Mountain valley, Camp Hale Memorial Campground offers 15 intimate campsites where history and wilderness converge. This hidden gem welcomes tents, trailers, and RVs alike, providing a peaceful retreat enhanced by attentive campground hosts who ensure every visitor feels at home. Adventure seekers will appreciate the direct access to the legendary Colorado Trail, making this modest campground a perfect basecamp for mountain exploration.

FS 520, CREEDE, CO 81130, USA

Nestled along the pristine banks of the Rio Grande River, River Hill Campground beckons adventurers seeking an authentic Colorado wilderness experience. This beloved riverside retreat serves as your gateway to endless outdoor pursuits—cast a line into crystal-clear waters teeming with trout, explore winding trails that disappear into the backcountry, or launch your kayak for a peaceful paddle. Just steps from your campsite, trailheads lead directly into the magnificent Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado's largest designated wilderness area.

806 W. Hallam

Tucked away in the shadow of Colorado's most photographed peaks, Silver Bar Campground offers an intimate escape into the wilderness with just four secluded tent sites. This hidden gem invites adventurers to disconnect from the modern world and immerse themselves in the raw beauty of the Rockies. Each walk-in site comes thoughtfully equipped with everything you need for a memorable stay: sturdy picnic tables for mountain-side meals, bear-proof lockers to safely store your provisions, and stone fire rings where stories come alive under starlit skies. The gentle murmur of Maroon Creek provides nature's soundtrack, while vault toilets ensure basic comfort without compromising the pristine environment.

15571 County Road T5 La Jara, CO 81140

Tucked away in the heart of the Rio Grande National Forest, Conejos Campground serves as a hidden gem for those seeking a more intimate camping experience. While originally designed as an overflow area for the busier Mix Lake and Spectacle Lake campgrounds, this cozy loop has developed its own devoted following among anglers and nature enthusiasts. The campground's prime location offers direct access to the pristine waters of the Conejos River, where trout dance beneath the surface, and provides an easy gateway to the mirror-like waters of nearby Spectacle Lake.

San Juan NF, Colorado, USA

Perched at 7,643 feet in the Colorado high country, Target Tree Campground serves as your gateway to the Southwest's most treasured destinations. Just a scenic drive from the ancient cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park and the vibrant mountain towns of Mancos and Durango, this historic campground takes its name from a fascinating chapter in Ute Indian history. Here, centuries-old Ponderosa pines still bear the distinctive scars from when Ute hunters honed their marksmanship skills, while these same majestic trees provided life-sustaining sap and bark that supplemented their traditional diet.

102 Elk Creek, Gunnison, CO, 81230, USA

Tucked away at the dramatic base of Black Canyon, East Portal Campground offers an intimate escape where the mighty Gunnison River whispers past 15 secluded campsites. Here, beneath a canopy of ancient box elder trees, adventurers discover a hidden gem accessed by a thrilling descent down one of Colorado's most memorable access roads. This quiet sanctuary combines raw natural beauty with fascinating glimpses of human ingenuity, where the historic Gunnison Tunnel stands as a testament to early 20th-century engineering prowess.

LEADVILLE RANGER DISTRICT, 810 FRONT STREET, LEADVILLE, CO 80461, USA

Perched on the eastern shore of the stunning Turquoise Lake, Molly Brown Campground invites adventurers into a world of towering lodgepole pines and crystal-clear mountain waters. Named after Leadville's legendary 'Unsinkable' Molly Brown, this high-altitude haven serves as your gateway to endless outdoor pursuits—from early morning fishing expeditions to sunset hikes along pristine mountain trails. Here, the majestic peaks stand as silent sentinels while you launch your boat into the turquoise waters or simply lose yourself in the tranquil forest setting.