WHY ARE WE LIKE THIS?

When it comes to camping near the Rockies- this location is hard to beat. You’re just minutes from Bear Lake Road, Trail Ridge Road, and some of the park’s most iconic hiking trails, making it easy to get an early start before the crowds. The campground also has incredible mountain views, and it’s common to see chipmunks scampering through your camp or elk wandering through the campground, especially around sunrise and sunset.

Check-In: 1pm

Check-Out: 12pm

Price Per Night: Non-Electric- $35.00/Electric- $55.00

Overall Rating:

The campground is clean and well maintained. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring and while none of the sites have water there are stations located through the loops. Some sites feature electric hookups and there is a large variety of site size to accommodate a tent all the way up to a large RV.

Location

The location on the east side of the park is perfect for those looking to explore Bear Lake and Trail Ridge Road- there even is a convenient shuttle stop inside the campground! Staying inside the park meant there was no need for a timed entry pass which made planning our days all the easier.

Views & Wildlife

The 360 degree mountain views are defiantly a highlight of this campground. The sunrises and sunsets behind the mountains are breathtaking and really remind you why you are out there camping! If you ask Ella, one of the best things about the campground was the wildlife. Chipmunks chittered around while we ate breakfast and every evening we saw elk wandering through the campground. Spotting wildlife near camp will always earn five stars from us!

Campsites

Each site comes with a picnic table, food storage locker, and a fire ring (make sure you check local burn bans before using) and some sites are equipped with electric as well. There is not a site that offers water or a full hookup, but water stations were continently located around the loop. My only complaint was that many of the sites were exposed. I prefer a campsite that feels a bit more secluded and in nature- if you are traveling in an RV or trailer, you will not find this type of site. They are very out in the open which means your mountain views are interrupted with RVs, trucks, and other campers doing their thing- kinda a bummer. If you are tent camping there are some AMAZING sites that feel very “wilderness”.

Facilities

The campground had a small store to grab some firewood, ice and necessities. Each site had food storage lockers and dumpsters where located throughout. A dump-station is conveniently located at the front of the loop. The bathrooms were clean and never over-crowded- though it’s important to note that while most loops have flush toilets Loops B and E have vault toilets. There are only solar shower stalls available so come prepared!

Things to Know

• There is a 7-day limit to camping in the park.
• Reservations are essential. They are released on an advanced rolling release as well as short releases based on season. We logged on the morning of the release and there was only one site left so especially if you are planning on camping during peak season you want to watch for those dates!
• Wildlife is abundant, so proper food storage is taken seriously. No one wants an uninvited visitor in the night.
• Cell service can be spotty depending on your carrier- so be prepared beforehand and download trail maps.