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Pike-San Isabel/Buffalo Springs
Overview
Buffalo Springs Campground offers a quintessential high-altitude camping experience within the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. Located at approximately 9,000 feet in elevation, this facility provides a peaceful escape from the hustle of city life. The campground features a mix of spacious campsites nestled among ponderosa pines and open meadows, offering visitors a rugged yet serene atmosphere. It serves as an authentic gateway for their Colorado mountain adventure, where the air is crisp and the night skies are exceptionally clear.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just south of the town of Fairplay, CO, the park is located in the historic South Park basin. Travelers will find themselves surrounded by sweeping mountain vistas and the diverse flora and fauna of the central Rockies. The nearby Middle Fork of the South Platte River adds to the scenic beauty of the landscape, making the area feel both remote and expansive. It is an ideal home base for exploring the high country’s rolling hills, rocky outcrops, and dense evergreen forests that define this region.
Amenities & Park Features
As a National Forest site, the park prioritizes a primitive, natural experience. While there are no utility hookups available, the facility provides basic necessities for a comfortable stay in the wilderness.
- Access to vault toilets and seasonal hand-pumped potable water.
- Individual sites featuring a picnic table and heavy-duty fire ring.
- Spacious layouts that can accommodate moderate-sized RVs and trailers.
The lack of on-site dump stations or electricity means visitors should come prepared with full fresh water tanks and sufficient battery power to remain self-sufficient during their stay.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the quick access to the Fourmile Recreation Area, which offers extensive trail systems for hiking, mountain biking, and off-road vehicles. Anglers can find excellent trout fishing in the nearby mountain streams and reservoirs that dot the Park County landscape. For a touch of local history, a short drive leads to South Park City, an open-air museum in Fairplay that meticulously recreates a 19th-century mining town. This attraction provides a fascinating look into Colorado's rugged pioneer past and gold rush heritage.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is perfect for self-contained RVers who appreciate a quiet, rustic environment over the amenities of a modern resort. It strongly appeals to nature photographers, wildlife watchers, and those seeking true solitude in the wilderness. If you enjoy dry camping and want easy access to Colorado’s backcountry trails, historic sites, and scenic byways, Buffalo Springs is an excellent choice. It is ideal for travelers who want to disconnect and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains.
Amenities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
William Taylor
Beautiful place, I went on a hike and had a great time. Amazing views
Bryan Cornelius
This is an amazing place to camp. No water or bathrooms and you have to get your own firewood. Dispearsed camping makes you do a lot more than a campground. But being by yourself is really a cool experience!
Howard A
This National Forest encompasses numerous trails and features. We descended on the Barr Trail after ascending The Manitou Incline to enjoy the beautiful views back into Manitou Springs. However, you can use the Barr Trail in the opposite direction to ascend Pikes Peak.
Dann Leach
The Aspen trees were at their peak colour. Snow had fallen the night before and the far-off mountain peaks were glistening with the pure icing. Crisp, clean air gave each of us a boost of energy; making us glad to experience the reverent beauty of creation.
Diane Matuszewski
This is not an easy climb. You gain a LOT of altitude quickly in this hike. Be prepared! Bring water (I wore a Camelback) and electrolyte gummies were a big help. Pace yourself and take your time and you can do it! I am 64 and have RRMS. The oldest hiker on the incline that day was 90 years old and he made it! #dohardthings
Russel Clark
Nice ride on the train to get here. The scenery is amazing. The shop is very nice with a great selection. The staff are helpful and friendly. Nice services in the right place. The water is a must for sure. The altitude is really something. It took the wife 2 days to recover. She is fine. I did have a couple of times it was a little difficult to catch my breath. Give yourself a little time before moving very quick. Even when you get back to the train station. I do definitely recommend this.
Gizamalukeix
Been here a couple times camping and it is absolutely stunning. I could drive for 12 hours in any direction in the US and not see a place as beautiful. The only issue I had this time were the dirt roads that were so bad my body was still vibrating for 15 minutes after stopping. This wasn't a problem the first time camping there about a year and a half ago but this time I was afraid I was going to break a ball joint on my Jeep. There have been some heavy logging machinery up there so I suspect their tracks did it because of the road became more like a regular dirt road after I we got past those. All in all this is the most amazing experience I've ever had while camping and one of the most amazing experiences ever. Five stars EASILY. If you do want to get a good camping spot though and it doesn't matter if it's a Monday or not and you're going to want to get there fairly early. We parked in a camp spot at least a mile away from anybody else and some random old guy jogging by got mad that our dog barked at him. Dude needs a reality check because nobody keeps their dog on a leash in the middle of a forest. Otherwise a GREAT experience. Highly recommend! Just watch out for angry old men jogging miles away from their camp site LoL
Joseph Martucci
An amazing experience. A run and hike through Waterton Canyon. Captured many bighorn sheep on a Sony camera!!!
Kanhaiya
The Pike-San Isabel National Forest is a beautiful national forest located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA. Here are some interesting facts about the forest: Location The Pike-San Isabel National Forest spans across parts of Chaffee, Clear Creek, Custer, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano, Jefferson, Lake, Las Animas, Park, Pueblo, and Teller counties in Colorado. Size The forest covers an area of approximately 1,109,782 acres (1,730 sq mi), making it one of the largest national forests in the United States. Geography The forest features a diverse landscape, including rugged mountains, alpine lakes, forests, and grasslands. The highest point in the forest is Mount Elbert, which is the highest summit in the Rocky Mountains. Recreation The Pike-San Isabel National Forest offers a wide range of recreational activities, including: - Hiking and backpacking - Camping - Fishing - Hunting - Skiing and snowshoeing - Horseback riding - ATV and motorcycle riding - Scenic driving Wildlife The forest is home to a variety of wildlife, including: - Elk - Deer - Bighorn sheep - Mountain goats - Black bears - Mountain lions - Bald eagles - Osprey Management The Pike-San Isabel National Forest is managed by the US Forest Service, which aims to balance multiple uses of the forest, including recreation, timber production, wildlife habitat, and conservation. History The Pike-San Isabel National Forest has a rich cultural and natural history, with evidence of human presence dating back thousands of years. The forest was established in 1905 and has since been expanded and consolidated with other national forests. Conservation Efforts The Pike-San Isabel National Forest is part of the US Forest Service's efforts to conserve and protect natural resources, including: - Habitat restoration - Wildlife conservation - Forest health management - Climate change mitigation The Pike-San Isabel National Forest is a treasured natural resource that provides numerous benefits, including recreation, timber, wildlife habitat, and conservation.
Andrew Goforth
My wife and I camp host at 10,000 ft. In a 49 campsite camp ground named Molly Brown around a cluster of other camp grounds in the San Isabel National Forest. We will keep on doing it for 3 to 5 months out of the year until we can't do it any longer. Hears to the out doors.i forgot we and the Have our own little Alpine lake to swim, boat, and play in during the summer which runs from opening which is Memorial day until until the end of Labor Day.