Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Pike-San Isabel/Baby Doe
Overview
Baby Doe Campground offers a quintessential Colorado mountain experience within the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. Situated at an elevation of 10,000 feet, this facility is a centerpiece of the renowned Turquoise Lake Recreation Area. Guests are treated to a landscape defined by dense lodgepole pines and crisp alpine air. This is a seasonal destination where the natural beauty of the high country takes center stage, providing a peaceful escape from more developed or crowded urban RV parks.
Location & Surroundings
Located just west of historic Leadville, Colorado, the campground sits on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake. The surrounding terrain is dominated by the dramatic, snow-capped peaks of the Sawatch Range, including views toward Mount Elbert. The site provides easy access to the water while remaining sheltered by the forest. Visitors should prepare for the unique high-altitude environment, which ensures cool summer temperatures but requires proper acclimation and preparation for rapidly changing mountain weather.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional Forest Service site, Baby Doe emphasizes a rustic, natural experience over modern luxury. While there are no water, sewer, or electric hookups, the park features paved parking spurs that can accommodate various RV lengths. Essential facilities include vault toilets and centrally located potable water spigots. Each campsite is equipped with a heavy-duty fire ring and a picnic table, perfect for evening gatherings. The layout is designed to offer a sense of privacy among the tall timber.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless recreation directly from the campground. The Turquoise Lake Trail provides a scenic 12-mile route for hikers and mountain bikers along the shoreline. Anglers frequent the lake for its healthy population of trout, while nearby boat ramps allow for both motorized and non-motorized watercraft. Just a short drive away, the historic mining town of Leadville offers fascinating museums, local breweries, and the Mineral Belt Trail, which winds through the area’s silver mining history.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for self-contained RVers who appreciate boondocking-style camping with the added security of a managed site. It is a top choice for photographers, hikers, and those looking to disconnect from digital life and reconnect with the outdoors. Families who enjoy lakeside activities will find it perfect, provided they are prepared for the classic mountain experience and the lack of modern utility connections found in private RV resorts.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Brett Turner
Alpine lake with alpine weather, pretty sweet to be here so far from but so close to Denver. Friends booked a lake (reservoir)- front site back in january, worth the effort.
Scarlette Trann
LOVE THE VIEW! Not going to lie about our experience. Total of 11 people with 6 cars with us. We reserved a spot but, it seems like the limit for each spot is for two car vehicle and three tents. We had to pay another spot to cover some of the group and had to pay for the extra vehicle. Honestly, if only their reservation spot policy that can offer more options for bigger groups(including a head count for bigger reservation spot, how many vehicles, etc), it wouldn’t have been such a hassle for these people that host the camping. Instead, we had to improvise a lot, like moving tents around or parking the rest of the cars to another spot then walk to the main spot we reserved on. Some other guest are rude too, I feel so bad for the people that actually manage/own these campground. People just want to have fun and have a good time in these campsites. I guess some people just don’t want other people to be happy and to enjoy the moment. I would have give this a 5 start review because the people that manages these camping sites are so understanding and their hospitality are just so friendly and helpful.
Carina Basio
The site was great . Clean restrooms and very nice hosts. The campsite is walking distance from the lake . They also have firewoods and ice available to purchase on site . Reserve your spot in advance . Greatly reccomend this campground . P.S. Don’t forget to bring your hammock and paddleboards.
Josh
(Site 39) So let me get started and say you need to reserve these sites months in advance. I did get lucky and got to reserve for 2 tonight's the week before. I'm sure like other campers we are constantly checking if something opens. This site comes with a pull in dirt/gravel driveway, firepit/BBQ pit, trash can and water by vault toilets, vault toilets are close by but don't smell at all. Probably the best vault toilets I've seen and smelled. Town is 15 minutes away with some awesome attractions. Camp host has firewood at 10 a bundle so better off buying it in town, Safeway has it 3 bundles for 15 if youre a member. Charcoal isn't an option to BBQ as the pits are high so if you're cooking you need wood for sure. AT&T service is amazing here. Great place to vist and the weather is amazing in the summer! Hope this helps!
Robyn Tompkins
This was a great place to camp!! The park hosts are amazing. It's right on turquoise lake. We camped in a tent. There are lots of big campers that use this camp ground and they can get a little loud, but there was only one night were we could hear music past 10pm.