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Salida and Buena Vista Colorado Camping If you are searching for a great camping spot, San Isabel National Forest is the answer. Whether you are in the mood for a high mountain scenic spot or a quiet retreat by a fishing stream, San Isabel has it all. Fees are nominal and conveniences vary depending upon the campground. Check out the campgrounds by areas. Leave No Trace Ethics - Area Campgrounds - US Forest Service Fire Info - Gear U.S. Forest Service's Leave No trace Skills and Ethics 1. PLAN AHEAD AND PREPARE Proper trip planning and preparation helps hikers and campers accomplish trip goals safely and enjoyably while minimizing damage to natural and cultural resources. Campers who plan ahead can avoid unexpected situations, and minimize their impact by complying with area regulations such as observing group size limitations. Proper planning ensures: -Properly located campsites because campers allotted enough time to find a camp. -Appropriate campfires and minimal trash because of food repackaging and proper equipment. -Comfortable and fun experiences which match participant's skill levels. 2. TRAVEL AND CAMP ON DURABLE SURFACES Damage to land occurs when visitors trample vegetation or communities of organisms beyond recovery. The resulting barren areas develop into undesirable trails, campsites, and soil erosion. Should you concentrate activity, or spread out? -In high use areas, campers should concentrate their activities where vegetation is already absent by using existing trails and selecting designated or existing campsites. -In more remote, less traveled areas, campers should generally spread out. When hiking, take different paths to avoid creating new trails that cause erosion. When camping, disperse tents and cooking activities. Move camp daily to avoid creating permanent looking campsites. -Always choose the most durable surfaces available such as rock, duff, dry grasses, or snow. These guidelines apply to most alpine settings and may be different for other ecosystems. 3. DISPOSE OF WASTE PROPERLY Back-country users create wastewater and body waste that requires proper disposal. Hikers and campers also need to take their trash with them. Campers should minimize the need to pack out food scraps by carefully planning meals. Accept the challenge of packing out everything you bring. Wastewater -Help prevent contamination of natural water sources by proper disposal of wastewater. After straining food particles, dispose of dish water by dispersing at least 200 feet from springs, streams, and lakes. Use biodegradable soap 200 feet or more from any water source. Human Waste -Proper human waste disposal helps prevent the spread of disease and exposure to others. Catholes 6 to 8 inches deep and 200 feet from water, trails, and campsites are often the most practical way to dispose of feces. 4. LEAVE WHAT YOU FIND Allow others a sense of discovery. Leave rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts, and other objects as you find them. It may be illegal to remove them. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary. -Do not dig tent trenches or build structures. Never hammer nails into trees, hack at trees with hatchets or damage the bark and roots by tying horses to trees for extended periods. -Replace surface rocks or twigs that you cleared from the campsite. -On high impact sites, clean the area and dismantle inappropriate user-built facilities such as fire rings, log seats, or tables. 5. MINIMIZE CAMPFIRE USE The naturalness of many areas has been degraded by the overuse of fires and increasing demand for firewood. Lightweight camp stoves make low-impact camping possible by encouraging a shift away from fires. Stoves are fast, eliminate the need for firewood, and make cleanup after meals easier. -If you build a fire, the most important consideration is the potential for resource damage. -Whenever possible, use an existing campfire ring in a well-placed campsite. Choose not to have a fire in areas where wood is scarce. -True LEAVE NO TRACE fires are small. Use dead and downed wood no larger than an adult's wrist. When possible, bum all wood to ash and remove all unburned trash. -If a site has two or more fire rings, you may dismantle all but one, and scatter the materials into the surrounding area. Be certain all wood and campfire debris is dead out. -Do not scar large rocks or overhangs with a fire -Put campfires out completely and scatter cool ashes over a large area away from camp 6. RESPECT WILDLIFE Quick movements and loud noises are stressful to animals. Considerate campers practice these safety methods. You are too close if an animal alters its normal activities. -Observe wildlife from afar to avoid disturbing them. -Give animals a wide berth, especially during breeding, nesting, and birthing seasons. -Store food securely and keep garbage and food scraps away from animals to they will not acquire bad habits. Help keep wildlife wild. 7. RESPECT OTHERS Thoughtful campers are considerate of other campers and respect their privacy. Select campsites away from other groups. Travel and camp quietly to help preserve their solitude. -Travel and camp in small groups (no more than the group size prescribed by land managers). -Keep noise down and leave radios and tape players at home. If you take a pet keep them in control and remove dog feces from trails or campsites. -Make sure the colors of your clothing and gear blend with the environment. -Respect private property and leave gates (open or closed) as found. Cottonwood Lake - 28 units, located ten miles west of Buena Vista off Hwy. 306. The campground is situated slightly west of Cottonwood lake, which is a favorite spot for the trout fisherman during the summer months. Rated good for cutthroat and rainbow. Campground, boat ramp and picnic areas. Collegiate Peaks - 29 units, located ten miles west of Buena Vista on Hwy. 306. This campground is only eight miles from Cottonwood Pass, over which anglers can reach the Taylor Park Reservoir for a day fishing trip. Mt. Princeton - 19 units located eight miles west of US 285. Chalk Lake - 19 unites located ten miles west of US 285. This campground is situated next to Chalk Lake, which is stocked periodically during the summer months. Cascade - 19 Units located 11 miles west of US 285. Here you can see the most picturesque stretch of Chalk Creek. The forest service has two remaining campgrounds that are free of charge but do not have fresh water available. The are recommended for very hardy campers who really like to rough it. Iron City - 17 units located two miles east of St. Elmo at the Iron City Cemetery. North Fork - Eight units located nine miles northwest of Maysville off US 50. This campground is situated among many very excellent trout fishing lakes most of which require a hike to reach. Rated fair for cutthroat and rainbow. West of Salida on US 50 several campgrounds await the camper as they climb Monarch Pass. These include: Garfield - 11 units located 12 miles west of Poncha Springs off US 50. Monarch Park - 37 Units located 15 miles west of Poncha Springs on US 50. Angel of Shavano - 41 units located 4.5 miles north of Maysville on North Fork Road. The campground is situated on the North Fork Road and has the capacity for family or group camping. O'Haver Lake - 24 units, located by going south on US 285 to Mears Junction and then going southwest three miles. The grounds are located on O'Haver Lake, which also is stocked during the summer months. Rated good for rainbow and cutthroat. Handicap fishing pier. Heavy pressure. North of Buena Vista - The twin Lakes area is north of Buena Vista. Turn off of US 24 20 miles north of Buena Vista onto Colorado 82. The campgrounds are found along the north side of Twin Lakes. Whitestar - 65 units with a dump station and refuse receptacles Dexter Point Boat Ramp - This is located on the lower lake and has no daily camping fee. There is a boat ramp and fisherman parking available. Camping is allowed but no tents. Red Rooster Boat Ramp - This campground is located on the upper lake. There is no usage fee. A boat ramp is available along with fishermen parking. Toilets also are available. Fisherman Parking Areas - Mountain View, Golden Age, Big Mac, Whistler's Point and Deception Point all have toilet facilities and parking available. Mt. Elbert Picnic Area - There is no charge for this area. Picnicking is allowed and toilets are allowed. Camping is allowed, but no tents are allowed. Parry Peak - 26 units, 2.5 miles west of Twin Lakes Community. Twin Peaks - 39 units located three miles west of the Village of Twin Lakes. Water is available and picnic areas with toilets are also found at the camp ground. Lake View - 71 camping units with water available. Located 3.8 miles east of Twin Lakes Community. Half Moon - 24 units, located 12 miles southwest of Leadville on County Road 300 then one mile on Half moon Road. Headwaters Outdoor Equipment The Trailhead |
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