Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

This information will help you have a safe, enjoyable and successful outdoor recreation experience. Our area of Colorado offers a variety of recreation opportunities, from bird watching and photography to mountain biking, hiking, fishing or just plain relaxing.

The South Platte Ranger District has 23 developed campgrounds containing a total of 349 campsites and two group campgrounds which can accommodate groups up to 125 people.  Between Memorial Day and Labor Day half of the Buffalo Creek Campground, Lone Rock Campground and Kelsey Campground, as well as the group Campgrounds can be reserved through www.Recreation.gov (toll free 1-877-444-6777).

Dispersed camping is allowed in most areas of the District as long as you are not causing resource damage and are 150 feet from any roadway or stream. Please keep your vehicle within 300 feet of the main roads.

There is a 14-day stay limit anywhere in the Forest; vehicles must be parked in established sites. No vehicle parking behind barriers. Please call or email our District office with any questions regarding locations for dispersed camping (303) 275-5610. 

Interpretive Programs

The Rocky Mountain Recreation Company conducts regular interpretive programs throughout the summer camping season.  Follow this link for a schedule of these programs. 

Recreation.gov

www.recreation.gov is your one-stop resource for information about recreation on federal lands. www.recreation.gov offers information from all of the federal land management agencies--US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS)--and allows you to search for recreation sites by State, by agency, or by recreational activity.

Required Use and Payment Options

A fee is required to use selected campgrounds and picnic areas. Fees may vary and must be paid within 1/2 hour after selecting the site. Failure to follow posted instructions provided at entrance areas regarding compliance can result in a violation notice. Depending on available services--water is available seasonally in our campgrounds--the nightly fee could vary from the normal rate.

Interagency Passes

• Interagency Annual Pass—for the general public, $80
• Interagency Senior Pass—for senior citizens age 62 and older, $10
• Interagency Access Pass—for permanently disabled individuals, FREE

Since the Pike & San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands does not have a general entrance fee, no substantial changes will occur here. The forest continues to honor Golden Age and Golden Access Passports at all fee campgrounds.

• Recreation Fees and Passes
• National Parks

USFS Camping Guidelines

• Camping is allowed throughout the District in both the developed and undeveloped sites. 

• There is a 14-day stay limit anywhere in the Forest; vehicles MUST be parked in established sites. 

• You may camp outside of developed campgrounds if you do not cause any resource damage, and keep your vehicle within two hundred feet of main roads.

• Use picnic sites, swimming beaches, and other day use areas only between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm.

• Campgrounds and other recreation sites can be used only for recreation purposes.  Permanent use or use as a principal residence without authorization is not allowed.

• In campgrounds, camp only in those places specifically marked or provided.

• At least one person must occupy a camping area during the first night after camping equipment has been set up, unless permission has otherwise been granted by the Forest Ranger.

• Do not leave camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours without permission from the Forest Ranger.  The Federal Government is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property.

• Remove all personal property and trash when leaving.