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Arapaho-Roosevelt/Cold Springs
Overview
Cold Springs Campground, managed by the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests, offers a classic mountain camping experience in the heart of the Rockies. Situated at a high elevation, it provides a cool, shaded retreat during the warm summer months. The park is renowned for its heavily wooded sites and its proximity to both natural wonders and the historic mining heritage of the surrounding canyon country.
Location & Surroundings
Located just north of Black Hawk on the famous Peak to Peak Scenic Byway, the campground is surrounded by dense stands of aspen and lodgepole pine. The high-altitude setting at 9,200 feet ensures crisp mountain air and refreshing temperatures. It serves as a vital gateway to the Colorado Front Range, offering travelers a blend of deep wilderness access and convenient proximity to local mountain towns.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional Forest Service facility, the amenities focus on the essentials for a rustic camping stay. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring for evening gatherings. While there are no electrical or water hookups, the park features:
- Vault toilets maintained for cleanliness throughout the season.
- Potable water available through several hand pumps.
- Dedicated trash collection points to keep the forest pristine.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the extensive trail systems at Golden Gate Canyon State Park, which is only a short drive from the campground. For those seeking entertainment and history, the nearby towns of Black Hawk and Central City offer:
- Historic casino gaming and fine dining options.
- Gold mine tours that highlight the region's rich mining past.
- Photography opportunities along the scenic mountain corridors.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for travelers who prefer boondocking or dry camping in a peaceful, natural forest setting. It specifically appeals to those with smaller to mid-sized rigs who value quiet evenings under the stars. If you are an RVer looking to escape the city heat and enjoy a traditional mountain atmosphere with direct access to hiking, Cold Springs is a perfect fit for your Colorado journey.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Ed Doolittle
My third time at Cold Springs Campground, prior visit was 2 years ago. The entire camp ground is tidy compared to last time. Ordinarily I like to look out for litter and leave the place better than I found it, but i had difficulty finding scraps to pick up! Also of note: cell phone service was steady all weekend. Not sure if that is a good, or bad, thing! We were in space 18, good distance from the highway and pretty good elbow room!
Janica Johnston
Very nice host. Cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen at a campground. Highly recommend.
Todd In-MX
Nice campground at 9500 ft. We drove up using recreation.go that showed plenty of FCFS sites available. Not the case. The only sites that are FCFS are 26-38. The others are FCFS during the week. We had to move after the first night and saw someone leaving so we jumped in their spot for the weekend. There was no shade but I lived to review about it. Camp host stopped by to say hi and explain things to us. Saw some wildlife and took a hike. It's a drive up here so be cautious.
Brad Buchta
Four of us tent camped in the far 3 back spots from July 7-11 and it was awesome! The campground had bathrooms that were very well kept and clean. The campground was also peaceful and quiet. Although there were no showers, just a small drive over to Base Camp and we were able to shower for $1 plus purchase ice and other goods in their store. Highly recommend this campground, especially for the scenery, location and price.
Sarah E
Loved it here. Campsites are spaced out enough and clean. Bathrooms only smelled bad for one day but otherwise were very well kept. Close to Denver but far enough to feel far off! Did have a momma moose and her two babies walk maybe 10ft from our campsite!