Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Pike-San Isabel/South Meadows
Overview
Overview
Pike-San Isabel/South Meadows in Woodland Park, Colorado, offers a peaceful mountain retreat situated within the expansive Pike National Forest. This campground is part of the broader forest recreation area, providing a rustic, back-to-nature experience for those who prefer escaping the urban noise. It is an ideal spot for travelers seeking a secluded atmosphere surrounded by towering pine trees, crisp mountain air, and the authentic quiet of the high-altitude Colorado wilderness.
Location & Surroundings
Positioned near the charming town of Woodland Park, this campground serves as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. The location provides easy access to the scenic Pikes Peak region, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in alpine scenery without being too far from modern necessities. The surroundings are characterized by dense evergreen forests and winding forest roads, making it a perfect base for explorers who value mountain scenery and immediate access to diverse, rugged hiking trails.
Amenities & Park Features
The facility prioritizes simplicity, focusing on providing a genuine camping environment rather than a resort-style experience. Guests will find essential vault toilets and fire rings that encourage traditional campfire cooking under the stars. Because the site is nestled deep within the national forest, visitors should come prepared with their own water supply. The layout features spacious campsites designed to accommodate various tent setups and smaller recreational vehicles, offering plenty of privacy between neighboring spots.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The area surrounding the park is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors often spend their days exploring the Crags Trailhead, which offers stunning vistas of the surrounding peaks and geologic formations. Additionally, the proximity to Woodland Park allows for quick trips to local dining and grocery options. For those interested in regional history, the Gold Belt Tour provides a scenic driving route that showcases the rich mining heritage and breathtaking geological features of the nearby mountain towns.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is best suited for self-contained RVers and tent campers who are looking for a rustic, quiet experience away from the amenities of commercial campgrounds. It is an excellent choice for outdoor lovers who want to wake up in the heart of the Pike National Forest. If you prefer dispersed-style camping with the comfort of a designated site, South Meadows offers the perfect balance of convenience and raw natural beauty.
Features & Amenities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Tom O
Post-Labor Day camping so "first come first served". We came across South Meadows Campground out of necessity but we're pleasantly surprised! Our reservation at another nearby campground proved to be way less than ideal. Very small pads and very sloped grounds. There were several nice pads to choose from upon our unplanned arrival and the camp host was very helpful in getting us settled. Highly recommended.
Jackie Newton
I have camped at this campground 5 times now and we really like it. It is close enough to Woodland Park to feel accessible, but it is also in the mountains at elevation with a lot of trees to feel like you are camping in the mountains. These are non electric sites. During peak season you need to book online on the website. On shoulder seasons, half of the sites become first come first served, so be sure to look on the website to see which ones those are, and when those are. You can also drive around and look for the green "open" signs on the campsites, as opposed to the red "reserved" signs. The campsites here have both pull through sites and back in sites, they are larger than you think in terms of parking and also site space. Since it is national forest you can put your tent and set up anywhere (there is no tent pad). There were many large groups here with lots of tents and having a grand time. There were lots of families around spending time together walking, biking, and scootering. The campground loop is paved, and there is also the centennial trail nearby towards the entrance of the campground to walk or bike on as well. The campground is not super large, so it is easy enough to find your way around and to your campsite. Each time I have stayed here the campground hosts are very nice, friendly, and helpful. They keep the vault toilets clean. There are dumpsters and water spickets scattered around as well as multiple different vault toilets. The sites have a lot of pine trees which is great for shade and cover from storms, but there are some openings which is good for stargazing or warming up in the sun. The site has a wooden picnic table (recommend bringing table cloths and seat cloths) and a fire pit. The sites are far enough away and large enough to where you feel like you have your own space. The sites towards the front get the most road noise from highway 67. Lots of trucks use this road and the noise starts up about 6am. If you are towards the back of the campground, its a little better but there's still some road noise. The back sites back to national forest land and there are some trails and roads that you can walk/hike around (there are some openings in the fence to walk through). By staying at this campground (or Colorado campground) you also get access with your camp fee to manitou lake which is a few miles up the road. It is good for hanging out with good views, you can walk around the lake, and do a little shore fishing. If there are no sites left at South meadows, then you can look at Colorado campground which is just up the road a little. This is a little bit bigger of a campground so there are more sites to choose from. We found those to be a little closer together, but it is closer to manitou lake by driving, and you can also take a footpath/trail from the campground to the lake as well. While camping we saw birds, squirrels, chipmunks and ground squirrels and we even heard elk bugling! AT&T has one bar of 4G internet, and if you walk to the open meadow behind the campground you get more. Verizon has no internet, but you could still place a call. Overall this is a pretty place to camp with a decent amount of activities nearby. We have also brought our UTV/dirt bikes and gone riding close by in Divide. Or you can hang out at the campsite and have a good time there too. Overall we really enjoy camping here and have a good experience every time.
Daiana da Cruz
Peaceful, spacious, and family-friendly! We camped at tent site #41 for 3 nights in June and had a great experience. The site was clean, grassy, and very private—even though we could see neighbors, it was quiet and peaceful. No tent pad meant we could set up wherever we wanted, and there was plenty of space. Bathrooms (vault toilets) were clean, firewood was available onsite, and there were bear-proof containers. The campground has both sun and shade, with lots of trees and a beautiful setting. Manitou Lake is just a 3-minute drive away, and town is about 6 minutes out—close but still feels like a getaway. What made this campground amazing was how family-friendly it is. My daughter made friends, rode her scooter on the paved roads, and had a blast. We saw lots of families biking, walking, and enjoying the outdoors together. Can’t wait to come back—highly recommend for families! Heads up: I have Verizon and had no cell service at the campground.
Lisa Morgan
We have camped here for the last 3 years. Always had a great experience.
Keri Lindsey
Our favorite camping spot! Huge lots and great location.