How much does camping cost at Cascade (Colorado)?

Camping fees at Cascade (Colorado) range from $25/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Cascade (Colorado) first-come first-served or reservation?

Cascade (Colorado) accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Cascade (Colorado) before I book?

Yes! Cascade (Colorado) has 7 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Cascade (Colorado)?

Cascade (Colorado) is open May 23 - October 11 (Peak Season).. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Cascade (Colorado)?

Cascade (Colorado) does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Cascade (Colorado)?

Fire policies at Cascade (Colorado): Campfires are allowed within designated rings. Firewood must be purchased on-site at $10 per bundle.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Cascade (Colorado) have?

Cascade (Colorado) has 21 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Cascade (Colorado)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Cascade (Colorado). Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Cascade (Colorado)?

Cascade (Colorado) offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Cascade (Colorado)?

Popular activities at Cascade (Colorado) include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Cascade (Colorado)

4.78

221 reviews

5575 CLEORA RD

Great Hiking

Featured in:Fishing Colorado

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

9,000 ft

Price

$25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Open season from May...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Rocky Mountain Recreation Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

9,000 ft

Price

$25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Open season from May...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Rocky Mountain Recreation Official Website

Get Directions

Cascade (Colorado)

$25.00 - $25.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The standard campsite fee during peak season is $25 per night. Additional fees include $10 for a third vehicle and $10 for firewood bundles.

Standard Site Fee$25.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

719-539-3591

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What Campers Say

4.78

Top-Rated

Based on 221 reviews

72 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanlocation

Some mention

noisesmall

"Cascade Campground receives consistently positive reviews for its natural beauty, clean facilities, and friendly hosts. Reviewers appreciate the quiet atmosphere, well-maintained sites, and proximity to recreational activities."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

5575 CLEORA RD

Cascade (Colorado)

5575 CLEORA RD

Nearby places

Salida (approximately 15 miles, 20 minutes drive), Buena Vista (approximately 25 miles, 30 minutes drive)

Nearby supplies

The closest supplies, including groceries and fuel, can be found in Salida, approximately 15 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Cascade (Colorado)

Summer brings the most reliable access and comfortable temperatures. Daytime highs reach the low to mid 60s°F, occasionally into the 70s. Nights drop to 35–45°F. Trails, fishing, and mountain biking are at their best, and wildflowers fill in the green canopy. July and August weekends get busy. Reserve ahead or arrive midweek. At 9,000 feet, expect crisp air and occasional afternoon showers.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Top 16% in CO

Aspen color season and fewer crowds after Labor Day make fall especially appealing.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 23 - October 11 (Peak Season).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season from May 23 to October 11.

About Cascade (Colorado)

Cascade Campground sits in Chalk Creek Canyon at 9,000 feet, where white kaolinite walls rise above a dense Douglas fir and aspen forest. The 21 sites run $25 per night and accommodate tents, RVs, and small trailers. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets and potable water are available. Cell service is nonexistent.

Cascade Campground caters to tent campers and small RVs. It offers reservable and first-come, first-served sites, with a few walk-in tent spots.

Historical Significance

The ghost town of St. Elmo sits a short drive away. Preserved buildings from Colorado's gold rush era include a saloon and courthouse. Campers often visit to walk the old streets and peer into weathered structures where miners once worked and gathered.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the most reliable access and comfortable temperatures. Daytime highs reach the low to mid 60s°F, occasionally into the 70s. Nights drop to 35–45°F. Trails, fishing, and mountain biking are at their best, and wildflowers fill in the green canopy. July and August weekends get busy. Reserve ahead or arrive midweek. At 9,000 feet, expect crisp air and occasional afternoon showers.

ElevationPerched at an impressive 9,000 feet above sea level, Cascade Campground offers the rare opportunity to camp among the clouds in Colorado's high country. This significant elevation means thinner air and cooler temperatures – a refreshing escape from summer heat but requiring mindful acclimatization for those arriving from lower altitudes. Take it easy on your first day, drink plenty of water, and let your body adjust to this magnificent mountain environment where eagles soar at eye level.

Natural Features and SceneryThe canyon walls aren't chalk but kaolinite, a soft white mineral left by ancient hot springs. The bright formations contrast sharply with the surrounding forest. Douglas fir dominates the canopy, with aspen groves turning gold in fall. Chalk Creek runs through the campground, close enough to hear from most sites. A mile east, Chalk Lake offers trout fishing. One camper compared the setting to "a mini Yosemite Valley." Mt. Antero and Mt. Princeton are visible from several sites.

Geological RegionCascade Campground sits within the geological wonder of Chalk Creek Canyon, where millions of years of natural forces have carved a masterpiece in stone. The canyon's signature white walls aren't actually chalk but kaolinite – a soft, bright mineral formed by ancient hot springs that once bubbled through these mountains. This unique geological heritage has created a striking contrast against the deep greens of Douglas fir and the golden trembling of aspen groves. The result is a rare camping environment where lush mountain forests meet dramatic mineral formations, offering visitors a front-row seat to the powerful forces that shaped Colorado's spectacular landscape.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.

Check-out

Check-out is at 12:00 PM.

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Up to 2 vehicles or one RV/Trailer and tow vehicle per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThe campground follows a loop design. Sites vary from small to medium, with spacing described as good in most areas. Some sites sit close to the road. Shade from Douglas fir and aspen covers much of the campground.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

Walk-in AvailabilitySites #2-7, #11, and #12 are walk-up first-come, first-served. Site #1 becomes walk-up after Labor Day.

Cancellation PolicyCancellations up to 2 days before a reservation incur a $10 cancellation fee. Late cancellations (day before or day of arrival) forfeit the first night's fee plus applicable taxes.

AccessibilitySite 15 is identified as accessible and is also the most private site in the campground. Accessibility is limited to walk-in tent sites and vault toilets.

Site SizeSites are described as varying from small to medium-sized, suitable for tents and small trailers. For example, Site 10 can accommodate a 25 ft trailer and truck.

PrivacyThe campground layout provides good privacy in most areas. Several reviews highlight the well-spaced sites, with one camper noting, 'The sites are spacious and well spaced.

Total Campsites21 campsites

Recommended SitesSites #7, #15, and #19 are recommended for privacy and accessibility. Sites on the west end are described as the best by reviewers.

Need help booking Cascade (Colorado)?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground and surrounding area offer numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking, fishing, ATV riding, and ghost town exploration. The proximity to trails, Chalk Lake, and the historic St. Elmo ghost town makes it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include active bear sightings and high elevation, which may affect those traveling from lower elevations.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed within designated rings. Firewood must be purchased on-site at $10 per bundle.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are enforced at night.

Emergency ServicesClosest emergency services are in Salida, approximately 15 miles away, including hospitals and police stations.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is available. No recycling facilities are explicitly mentioned in the source materials.

Water FeaturesChalk Creek runs near the campground, and Chalk Lake is just a mile away.

Camp HostHosts are generally described as friendly and helpful, sometimes going above and beyond by serenading campers with guitar music.

Weather at Cascade (Colorado)

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.8

221 reviews

Top-Rated

Cascade (Colorado) is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Cascade Campground receives consistently positive reviews for its natural beauty, clean facilities, and friendly hosts. Reviewers appreciate the quiet atmosphere, well-maintained sites, and proximity to recreational activities.

Review Summaries

Based on 221 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users praised the camp hosts for their friendliness and helpfulness. The clean vault toilets and scenic views of Mt. Antero and Mt. Princeton were also highlighted. One camper described the...

Based on 221 reviews

Common Concerns

Occasional complaints include the lack of bear lockers, the popularity of the campground making reservations difficult, and the proximity of some sites to the road causing noise. One user mentioned,...

Based on 221 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend booking early due to high demand and choosing sites away from the road for more privacy. Feeding chipmunks at St. Elmo and visiting the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs are also popular...

Based on 221 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busiest during summer, with weekends filling up quickly. Reviews suggest it is less crowded immediately after Labor Day. Some visitors noted seasonal hazards such as an active bear...

Based on 221 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'The sites are spacious and well spaced.' - 'The hosts were amazingly friendly and knowledgeable about the area.' - 'Vault toilets were spotless at all times.' - 'No service, which is fine until...

Based on 221 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 7: Spacious walk-up tent site with steps to access; described as fantastic. Site 10: Suitable for a 25 ft trailer and truck; near bathroom facilities. Site 15: The most private site; accessible...

Based on 221 reviews

Accessibility Features

Site 15 is highlighted as accessible and private. Vault toilets are available but no further accessibility features are mentioned.

Based on 221 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but campers are reminded to keep pets on a leash. One review noted, 'It only takes one camper to not obey the leash law to ruin the experience for everyone.'

Based on 221 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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