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State Forest/Ranger Lakes
Overview
Located within the vast expanse of Colorado’s largest state park, Ranger Lakes offers a quintessential high-country camping experience. This campground serves as a serene gateway to the 71,000-acre State Forest State Park, where the rugged beauty of the Medicine Bow Mountains meets the wide-open spaces of North Park. It provides a peaceful retreat for those who appreciate authentic natural landscapes over modern commercial frills.
Location & Surroundings
Set just off Highway 14 near Walden, CO, the park is world-famous for its status as the moose capital of Colorado. The surrounding landscape is a breathtaking mix of dense evergreen forests, alpine meadows, and shimmering water. At an elevation of roughly 9,000 feet, visitors are treated to crisp mountain air and stunning views of the jagged peaks that frame the horizon in every direction.
Amenities & Park Features
Ranger Lakes features 32 campsites, and unlike many remote state park areas, it offers 30-amp electric hookups at several sites. This makes it a highly comfortable choice for RVers who want to maintain power while staying deep in the woods. While there are no sewer or water hookups at the individual sites, the campground provides several key features for travelers:
- Level gravel parking pads designed to accommodate various rig sizes.
- Access to centrally located vault toilets and potable drinking water stations.
- Individual fire rings and heavy-duty picnic tables for evening campfires.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw here is the frequent trout stocking at Ranger Lakes, making it a premier destination for anglers of all skill levels. Beyond fishing, the area is crisscrossed with miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. A visit to the nearby Moose Visitor Center is essential for learning about local ecology. For a unique day trip, the Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge is just a short drive away in Walden.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for the wildlife enthusiast who dreams of seeing moose wandering through the willows at dawn. It is a perfect fit for RVers who enjoy a rustic, quiet atmosphere but still appreciate the convenience of an electric hookup. If you value silence, dark night skies, and immediate access to alpine recreation, this Colorado gem will suit your travel style perfectly.
Amenities
- Tenting
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Dan Sprague
Great campground with electric hookups. We had deer and moose wander through not far from our site. Very close to pond for fishing.
Garret Maurer
We went just following Memorial Day weekend and it was very quiet. Only about 1/3 of the sites occupied. Nicely kept except where someone tossed/lost a paper garage bag of trash. Camp host and their barky dogs walked past it. I picked it up and disposed of it. Watches two bull moose traverse the campground too. The stocker trout in the “lakes” were a lot of fun. A great place to take kids and teach them to fish.
Jill Lathrum
Love this place. So beautiful. Saw many moose. Restrooms smell pretty bad though. Our campsite was across the road and down a bit and we could still smell them when we sat outside. Also the fire ring was full of charred logs. Not sure we could have had a fire had we wanted to.
Jen Kubat
We loved this campground! We had site 128, and it was perfect. Next to the trail to the lakes, a stream at the back, short walk to the bathroom, we were able to hang our hammock, and lots of space for the kids to play. The site was well leveled and easy to back into. Be aware the campground host was never around, and we had to buy firewood at Moose Visitor Center, none available at the campground when we went. No big deal. The state park is gorgeous.
JAlden Yakobis
Not wheelchair accessible for most. I manually wheeled through a dirt path and gravel to reach the lake. The roads are mostly dirt in the surrounding campsites.