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Arapaho-Roosevelt/Guanella Pass
Overview
Situated along the stunning Guanella Pass Scenic Byway, the Guanella Pass Campground offers a classic Colorado mountain experience. At an elevation of nearly 11,000 feet, this National Forest destination provides a rustic escape for those looking to immerse themselves in the subalpine beauty of the Front Range. Managed by the Clear Creek Ranger District, it serves as a serene basecamp for high-altitude adventures. The area is a gateway to the Mount Evans Wilderness, providing access to iconic landscapes just a short drive from Idaho Springs. This is a place where the air is thin, the stars are bright, and the natural scenery takes center stage.
Location & Surroundings
The park is located just south of Georgetown and Idaho Springs, accessible via a paved but steep mountain road that winds through the Rockies. The surroundings are characterized by dense spruce-fir forests and sweeping views of the surrounding peaks, including the famous Mount Bierstadt. The Guanella Pass Scenic Byway itself is a 22-mile route that connects Interstate 70 with US Highway 285, offering some of the most accessible alpine vistas in the state. Visitors are treated to vibrant displays of wildflowers in summer and golden aspen groves in the autumn, making every drive to and from the site a visual treat.
Amenities & Park Features
As a National Forest site, the amenities here focus on the essentials rather than luxury. The campground provides vault toilets and seasonal potable water from hand pumps. Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and a heavy-duty fire ring for evening campfires. It is important to note that there are no hookups or dump stations available, so RVers should arrive prepared for a dry-camping or boondocking style of stay. The sites are generally well-spaced, offering a sense of privacy amidst the lodgepole pines. Bear-resistant trash containers are located throughout the loop to ensure safety for both campers and local wildlife.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities nearby. The Mount Bierstadt Trailhead is just a short distance away, offering a popular route for those looking to summit a 14,000-foot peak. For a more relaxed afternoon, the historic Georgetown Loop Railroad provides a scenic trip through local mining history on a narrow-gauge steam train. Additionally, the nearby town of Idaho Springs offers famous hot springs and local breweries for post-hike relaxation. Anglers can also explore the waters of Clear Creek or nearby alpine lakes for trout fishing opportunities throughout the season.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for adventurous travelers and nature photographers who prioritize scenery over modern conveniences. Because of the winding mountain roads and smaller site pads, it is best suited for small to mid-sized RVs, truck campers, and camper vans. If you enjoy stargazing and solitude away from the city lights, this high-country retreat provides the perfect atmosphere. It is a top choice for dedicated hikers wanting early access to the 14er trailheads or anyone seeking a true back-to-nature experience deep within the Colorado Rockies.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Sarah Johnson
Easy to access. Pit toilets are clean. Views are great. Minutes from Bierstadt trailhead. We stayed at site 16. Was level enough for pop-up. Sites 10,11, 12 are a very short hike in, but are riverside. They are very beautiful. If I was tent camping, I'd go for one of those. :)
Christina Kochan
We camped here August 2024. It was absolutely beautiful, with a creek running by each tent campsite. We had booked a walk-in site (site 12) without realizing it and we were hoping to change sites, but the posts on each site were not up to date and the camp host was MIA for hours. We only learned that the reservations were not correct when we started setting up in a site that said it was available but then someone showed up with a reservation for it. Our site was lovely and quiet, but for a single night it was a lot of work to drag all our stuff out to it from the parking spot. If the camp host had been available we could have potentially switched sites, but we never were able to contact them and had no cell service to call anyone. The campground itself was amazing, I just wish we would have had a better camp host experience. If I were to camp here again, I would book site 8 for my tent! It's very close to the creek and you park at your site.
Christine Billie
4 stars for the mosquitoes, 5 stars for everything else I stayed at site #14. - The tent pad had privacy thanks to surrounding trees, but you’re still visible to your neighbors / vice versa from the picnic table + fire pit area of the campsite. - Partial shade in the tent pad area thanks to the trees, depending on the time of day - The creek directly behind the campsite offered great white noise at night for sleeping (there is still minimal road noise) - Mosquitoes surprisingly weren’t bad during morning or evening when they usually are, but were brutal during the day. I recommend bringing an extra screen shelter if you have one. - Getting to the campsite involves a short walk down a hill or set of stairs from the parking area - something to keep in mind if you’re someone who hauls your gear with a wagon or are mobility-limited Bathrooms were always clean + stocked with plenty of toilet paper. Review/photos are from mid-July 2025
Cara Olsen
Camped with the fam in a tent at site 15, which is on the east loop of the highway. We camped just after the 4th of July weekend. What I wish we had known before we left home: -The bathroom facilities are vault toilets only, no sink (or mirror) or running water of any kind (no dish-washing sink) - The camp host is also the firewood vendor ($10/bundle) - There were a LOT of mosquitoes - There were bear boxes at each site Pros: - The creek running just east of the highway provided excellent white noise - Our site was well situated with our bear box in the shade - The bathroom was cleaned daily and had plenty of toilet paper - Lots of adventurous hiking options nearby including Mt Bierstadt Cons: - The mosquitoes were rather heavy at times - The available water is a hand pump and the pump on the east loop is not in service. We ended up driving over to the west side when we wanted to fill our large containers. You'll need 1 person to pump and another to hold water bladders under the faucet - The well water has a yellow tinge and left debris in our containers Other things to note: -Some of the campsites are not set up for RV access -You may have to haul your stuff 30-50 feet (possibly uphill or downhill) from your parking space. -The campground charges $8/night for a second car, but I'm not even sure where they expect you to park an additional car
Laura Aguglia
July 1, 2025 Magical. Clear sky to look at the stars.