Facilities

Club House

Laundry Room

Swimming Pool

Hot Tub

Fitness Center

Game Room

Rec Hall

Pavilion

Exercise Room

Restroom/Shower

Restroom Only

Shower Only

Restaurant

Groceries

RV Supplies

ATM Machine

WiFi

Dog Park

Cocktail Lounge

Dog Washing Station

Pit Toilet

Snack Bar

Play Ground

Sites

Water

20 Amp

30 Amp

50 Amp

Sewer

Cable TV

Services

Escort to Site

Self-Service RV Wash

Metered LP Gas

Firewood

Fishing Supplies

Pet Supplies

Onsite Rentals

Worship Services

Golf Carts

Fishing Guides

Onsite RV Service

Staffed RV Wash

Fishing Licenses

Complimentary Breakfast

Recreational activities in or near the park

Recreational Activities

Archery Range

ATV Riding

Biking

Boating

Body Of Water

Casino

Climbing

Dock

Driving Range

Fishing

Golf

Heated Pool

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Horseshoes

Kayaking

Lawn Bowling

Mini Golf

Paddle Boats

Pickle Ball

Putting Green

Ramp

Sauna

Shuffleboard

Snow Sports

Splash Pad

Swimming

Tennis

Wading Pool

Water Slide

Water Sports

Water Umbrella

Whitewater Rafting

Policies

RV Age Restrictions

Pets Welcome

Pet Restrictions

Pet Restriction on Quantity

Pet Restriction on Breed

Pet Restriction on Size

No Pets

Tent Camping Allowed

Folding Tent Campers Allowed

No Tents

No Overnight Guests

<h2>Overview</h2><p>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 <strong>rustic escape</strong> 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 <strong>natural scenery</strong> takes center stage.</p><h2>Location & Surroundings</h2><p>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 <strong>dense spruce-fir forests</strong> 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 <strong>wildflowers in summer</strong> and golden aspen groves in the autumn, making every drive to and from the site a visual treat.</p><h2>Amenities & Park Features</h2><p>As a National Forest site, the amenities here focus on the essentials rather than luxury. The campground provides <strong>vault toilets</strong> 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 <strong>no hookups or dump stations</strong> 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. <strong>Bear-resistant trash containers</strong> are located throughout the loop to ensure safety for both campers and local wildlife.</p><h2>Nearby Attractions & Things to Do</h2><p>Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities nearby. The <strong>Mount Bierstadt Trailhead</strong> 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 <strong>Georgetown Loop Railroad</strong> 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 <strong>Clear Creek</strong> or nearby alpine lakes for trout fishing opportunities throughout the season.</p><h2>Who This Park Is Best For</h2><p>This campground is ideal for <strong>adventurous travelers</strong> 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 <strong>stargazing and solitude</strong> 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 <strong>back-to-nature experience</strong> deep within the Colorado Rockies.</p>



Arapaho Roosevelt Guanella Pass is a scenic byway located in Idaho Springs, Colorado. The pass is a popular destination for hikers, campers, and sightseers, offering stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and the surrounding area. The pass is named after two of the most famous figures in American history, President Theodore Roosevelt and Chief Arapaho. The pass is also home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. The area is also known for its abundance of wildflowers, making it a great spot for photography.

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Arapaho-Roosevelt/Guanella Pass

Visit Arapaho-Roosevelt/Guanella Pass near Idaho Springs, CO. Enjoy rustic mountain camping near Mount Bierstadt with scenic views and alpine hiking trails.

Arapaho-Roosevelt/Guanella Pass | Idaho Springs, CO

*** UPDATE: The camp host has fixed things, so our final night here won’t have any illegal campers overlooking our spot. Phew! But wait … there’s more!  Our camphor went out of his way to stop by the Ranger’s Station on his day off to ask about the wallet that we lost. It was found at a different campground we’d stopped in at earlier. My partner was thrilled to have his wallet back!  **** Initial post:  We were really happy at this campground for the first two nights. Our spot was large and out of direct line of sight from just about everyone else… until nights three and four, when the camp host allowed two different sets of folks to illegally camp in a spot that is designated as additional parking for campers. The first couple was at least quiet, but the second group had their radio playing, which really messed with the peace of our site. It was the first radio were heard during our entire stay.

We stayed here is June of '26 and honestly its one of the better campgrounds we've camped in some time.

We were in site 15 which was one that required reservations. The river was downhill from our tent, so it got cool at night but created a lot of white noise.

The bear box was spacious and under a tree. They did have vaulted toilets, which sucked when someone left the seat up in the other restroom. It created a wind current.

Car parking was a little uphill from campsite so it can be a challenge bringing all your equipment up and down.

There was a water spigot on the west end of the highway which we used to wash dishes and put out the fire.

Camp host in on the West loop, he sells wood for $10-12 per bundle, $8 in Georgetown.

Mosquitoes weren't too bad there were a lot of dragonflies so they took care of that. Highly recommend this campground.

The east is mainly reservation where as the west is more 1st come 1st serve. The sights at night are incredible.

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. :)

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.

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

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

July 1, 2025
Magical. Clear sky to look at the stars.

We stayed mid August, and it was a perfect campground! Beautiful streams that you can hear nearby. VERY clean bathrooms that smelled great. The camp host was super friendly, kind, and willing to give us tons of tips for our hiking adventures.

This was a lovely campground that was well maintained. It was perfect for my small trailer setup. I highly recommend a visit.  The spot had a faint cell signal also.

Extremely beautiful campground. I spent a week out here with my freinds and it was wonderful. The camp host was very nice and provided a lot. Georgetown is still close by with anything else you could need including good food and a friendly atmosphere.

Reviews

Arapaho-Roosevelt/Guanella Pass