Pike National Forest Camping
MANITOU PARK RECREATION AREA: Manitou Park Recreation Area is located 5.2 miles north of Woodland Park along CO Highway 67 and has several camping and picnicking sites. A $40 annual pass is available for Manitou Lake Picnic Area and Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area, South Platte, Deckers, and 11-Mile Canyon.
SOUTH MEADOWS Campground: Site has 64 camp sites with parking areas up to 30' long within the 8,000' elevation. Camping season is year round with a user fee of $15.00/per night/per site. The camp-ground has paved roads. Limited sites are reserved by calling 1-877-444-6777. Reservations may be made 240 days prior to arrival and there is a reservation fee. There is also a 2-night minimum stay if your reservation is for Friday or Saturday nights. This does not apply to sites not listed in the reservation system.
COLORADO Campground: Site has 81 campsites with parking areas up to 30' long within the 7800' elevation. Camping season ususlly begins late May and runs until early September. The user fee is $15.00 per night/per site. This campground has paved roads. Limited site reservations can be made 240 days prior to arrival by calling 1-877-444-6777. There is a reservation fee. There is also a 2-night minimum stay if your reservations are for Friday or Saturday night. This does not apply to sites not listed in the reservation system.
PAINTED ROCKS Campground: Area has 18 campsites with parking areas up to 30' long within the 7800' elevation. Camping seasonusually begins in May and runs through early September. A user fee of $13.00 per night/per site is charged. Limited sites are reserved by calling 1-877-444-6777 and can be made 240 days prior to arrival. There is a reservation fee. This does not apply to sites not listed in the reservation system.
MANITOU LAKE Picnic grounds: Located at the 7,700' elevation and 7.2 miles north of Woodland Park along CO Highway 67, this area has 42 picnic sites open year round. A $5 day use fee is charged. All sites have tables, fire grates, potable water, vault toilets, and trash collection. The area is open year round and has a pavilion that may be reserved by calling the Rocky Mountain Recreation Company at 1-800-416-6992. The fee is $38.00 plus $5.00 per vehicle.
Attractions: Many users of these campgrounds stay here due to the close proximity to Pikes Peak, the Air Force Academy, and the Garden of the Gods. Manitou Lake is a 5-acre reservoir where the entire family can enjoy fishing and hiking Trail #670 around the Lake. Motorboats and swimming are not permitted. Because of the easy access to this area and its popularity, fishing occurs year-round in the reservoir along with Trout Creek (for those who desire stream fishing). An asphalt bicycle trail #699, approx. 4.2 miles long, connects all the campgrounds and picnic areas. There are 2 group campgrounds--Pike Community and Redrocks. An RV dump station is located near the Pike Community Group Campground and has potable and non-potable water. A fee is required for its use. It may be closed after Labor Day.
Use per season: Heavy in spring, summer and fall; light in winter.
You can view the layout of the campground and make a reservation at ReserveUSA
THE CRAGS Campground: The Crags Campground is located southeast of Divide and reached by driving 4.3 miles south of Divide on CO Highway 67. Take FDR 383 for another 3.5 miles east. Fifteen campsites for tents, RV's or small trailers exist at the 10,000' elevation. Camping season begins usually around Memorial Day and continues into September with a $11.00 camping fee per night/per site. Those possessing a Golden Age or Golden Access card pay 50 percent of this fee.
Weather: The weather is generally mild with warm days and cool nights. Summertime highs around 70-80 degrees with nighttime lows of 35-45 degrees are to be expected. Afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence. The spring and fall weather is usually dry and sunny with highs around 60's and lows in the 20-30's. The main recreation use season is from mid-May to mid-September.
Attractions: Located in an 'out of the way' area, this site can receive high usage, depending on time of day and year. A forest trail, The Crags Trail #664, goes to the Crags' rock out-cropping. Hiking trails are also available at Mueller State Park, located just west of Highway 67. This campground has been identified as a bear problem area so please follow standard procedures while in bear country. History buffs will enjoy this area as well due to historic Cripple Creek and Victor located 15 miles south of the road junction with FDR 383. There one may find historic buildings, mines, shops, and casinos. Winter activities include x-country skiing.
Facilities: Facilities include tables, firegrates, drinking water, and vault type toilets.
Special considerations: A low-level maintained, steep and narrow access road makes it difficult for large trailers. Please drive with caution. Because of heavy summertime use by hikers, parking may be hard to find. Road may become inaccessible in the winter.
Use per Season: Heavy during spring and fall; busiest during summer; and light in winter.
RAMPART RESERVOIR Recreation Area: The Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area offers a wide range of opportunities. In 1967, a special city election approved the opening of the area around Rampart Reservoir for public recreation upon construction of recreation facilities by the Forest Service. The area, under the management of the Forest Service, was opened for public use in September 1974; Meadow Ridge and Thunder Ridge were converted from picnic areas into campgrounds and opened up as such in 1983. The area is located 4.2 miles east of Woodland Park on the Rampart Range Road, FDR 300. There is a $5 fee for day-use. This fee is included in the overnight campground charge. The Golden Age and Golden Access passports entitle holders to a 50 percent discount of this fee. There is an annual pass available through Rocky Mtn Rec. (719 687 7818) for $40 which covers Rampart as well as Manitou Lake. From April 15 to November 15, the area is open to Public Vehicle Access, depending on weather. Access across the dam to the boat ramp and a parking area is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
MEADOW RIDGE Campground: Has 19 campsites with parking areas at least 30' long at this 9200' elevation. Sites 12 and 13 have been developed for handicapped accessibility. Camping season usually begins in early May and continues into September. User fee is $15/per night/per site. Facilities include tables, fire grates, drinking water, two handicapped-accessible vault-type toilets, and trash collection.
THUNDER RIDGE Campground: Site has 21 campsites with parking areas at least 30' long within this 9,200 ' elevation. Sites 8, 10, and 22 have been developed for handicapped accessibility. Season usually begins late May and continues into September. User fee is $15 per night/per site. Facilities include tables, fire grates, drinking water, vault-type toilets, and trash collection. There are two accessible toilets.
Campsites in the above campgrounds may be reserved through an internet site (www.reserveUSA.com) system or by calling 1-877-444-6777. A reservation fee is charged. Reservations may be made up to 240 days in advance or as late as 5 days prior to arrival. There is a 2-night minimum stay for the above if reservations are made for either a Friday or Saturday night.
BOATMAN'S Picnic ground: There are 12 picnic units accessible only by boat, hiking or biking to the area within the 9,000 ' elevation. The season begins late May and continues into October. No overnight use at this site. Tables, toilets, and fire grates are provided. Pack in/pack out policy applies.
PROMONTORY Picnic ground: There are 34 picnic units within this 9100 ' elevation. Drinking water is not available. Tables, two handicap-accessible vault toilets, fire grates, and trash collection are provided. The season begins in early May and continues into October. There is no overnight use at this site.
HOMESTAKE INTERPRETIVE/WAYSIDE: Has an interpretive area, an accessible vault-type toilet, and affords a good view of Pikes Peak.
ASPEN GROVE: Nature trail, accessible toilet, drinking water and interpretive site.
Attractions: The Reservoir is an attraction in itself. This 500-surface-acre lake is backed up behind the 230' high and 3400' long dam completed in 1969. The Reservoir is the City of Colorado Springs storage for 13 billion gallons of domestic water. Because the Reservoir is a domestic water supply, it is subject to considerable drawdown during dry years.
The boat ramp is located at Dikeside; during summer months a boat dock is available. Boating safety regulations are posted near the ramp. Please read and observe these instructions for your safety and for protection of the water resource. Wading, swimming, and water skiing are prohibited. You are to operate boats at speeds which will not create a white water wake. Stay at least 150' from people fishing from shore. Boats may not be left at the boat dock for longer than 30 minutes or on the bank for more than 8 hours.
The Reservoir is stocked with fish by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. A valid Colorado fishing license is required as well as following the State of Colorado fishing regulations.
The hiking opportunities are excellent with the following trails in the area: #714 (Rainbow Gulch), #700 (Rampart Reservoir), #712 (Aspen Grove), and #709 (Nichols). Trails have been developed in order to prevent erosion and to maintain the area in its most natural state. Please help to preserve this area by staying on the trails. Mountain biking has become very popular on Rampart and Rainbow Gulch Trails. Please respect other users.
Winter activities: Includes cross country skiing. Please pack our your trash as there are no services during this period.
Regulations: The facilities are designed to allow maximum public use of the land while preserving the area in its most natural state and protecting the quality of the reservoir water. To meet these needs, the following rules are necessary:
No camping except in designated campgrounds.
Keep fires inside stoves, grills, or fire grates.
Pets must be kept on a leash not longer than 6 feet.
Dump waste into receptacles provided.
Fish, food, or clothing must not be cleaned near water hydrants or other sources of water.
The area is closed to the use of firearms or fireworks.
Operate all motor vehicles with a minimum of noise and only on paved roads.
Public property, natural features, plants, and trees are for all to enjoy. Do not deface, remove or destroy them.
Special Considerations: Rampart Range Road (FDR #300) is of moderate difficulty. The area could be closed to vehicle traffic without much notice in the winter due to snow accumulation. Once the gate is locked for the season, it will remain locked until approximately Memorial Day due to the unpredictable weather.
Use per season: Moderate in spring; heavy in summer and fall; and light in winter.
PIKE COMMUNITY GROUP Reservation Area: The area was developed for group camping but may be reserved for day use at the overnight use rate. Located 5.3 miles north of Woodland Park on CO Highway 67, the road is accessible by all types of vehicles.
Weather: Weather is generally mild with warm days and cool nights. Summertime highs are about 80 degrees with lows in the 40's. Afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence. The spring and fall weather is usually dry and sunny with highs around the 70's and lows in the 30's. The recreation use season is usually from the end of May thru mid-September.
Attractions: Most activities are centered around the facilities found on the site. The Centennial Trail is located across Highway 67 and can be used to access Manitou Lake Picnic area.
Facilities: Located within the 7,700' elevation, this site has a capacity of 48 parking spaces/150 people. Picnic tables, group fire grates, drinking water, campfire circle, trash dumpsters, vault-type toilets, children's play area, sand volleyball court, softball field, and horseshoe pits are provided. Neither firewood nor a shelter is provided. There is a RV dump station located just outside the campground.
Special User Fee: Reservations are required and are made thru www.ReserveUSA.com or by calling 1877 444 6777. A non-refundable reservation fee will be charged. Reservations may be made up to 360 days of your arrival or as late as 5 days prior to arrival. The site receives heavy summer usage on the weekends and holidays. For this reason, please make reservations early. 1-50 persons = $75.00, 51-100 persons = $125.00, 101-150 persons = $175.00
RED ROCKS GROUP Reservation Campground: This area is developed for group camping but may be reserved for day-use at the overnight use rate.
Location: Located 4 miles north of Woodland Park on CO Highway 67 at the 8,200' elevation, this area is accessible by all types of vehicles.
Weather: Weather is generally mild with warm days and cool nights; summertime highs in the 80's and lows in the 40's. Afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence. Spring and fall weather is usually dry and sunny with highs in the 70's and lows in the 30's. The recreation use season is from the end of April thru October.
Attractions: Hiking is the main attraction. The Red Rocks Trail #612 leads to nearby unusual and scenic red sandstone rock formations. These are enjoyable to view but users are cautioned they are not safe for climbing. Please caution any children in your group of this danger. An asphalt-surfaced bicycle trail #669, approximately 4.2 miles long connects all of the campgrounds and Manitou Park Recreation Area.
Facilities: The site has a capacity for 125 people/44 cars. Tables, fireplaces, vault-type toilets, drinking water, campfire circle, and trash dumpsters are provided. Neither firewood nor a shelter are provided.
Special User Fee: Reservations are required and made by calling 1 877 444 6777 or using the website of: www.reserveUSA.com. A non refundable reservation fee will be assessed. Reservations may be made up to 360 days prior to your arrival or as late as 5 days prior. Reservations are at the same rates for either day use or overnight. During the summer, the site receives heavy use on the weekends and holidays. Please make your reservation as early as possible. 1-50 persons = $75.00, 51-100 persons = $125.00, 101-150 persons = $150.00
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