The Red Feather Lakes are a string of small alpine lakes in the Poudre Canyon of the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. The lakes were formed by a glacier and are now a popular spot for fishing, hiking, and camping. These Red Feather lakes area campgrounds are a great spot to stay while you enjoy the surrounding area!
The Best Red Feather Lakes Camping
1. CanyonSide Campground
Image from The Dyrt camper June A.
CanyonSide Campground is located near red feather lakes in colorado. The campground offers spectacular views of the canyon and lake. There are a variety of campsites to choose from, including tent sites, RV sites, and group sites. The campground also has a playground, horseshoe pits, and a fishing pier.
“Such an amazing and laid back place to camp! With two separate tent area, RV camping, and cabins, this place has it all! The bathrooms are always super clean, there is even an outdoor shower. There are sinks available at both tent sections as well. There are also communal areas where you can hang out and meet other campers, you can watch directv in one area as well! There is a short trail that goes up the mountain behind the CG to a small chapel, and a swing that overlooks the river across the road. There is a convenient gas station/convenience/liquor store across the road within easy walking distance. There is a restaurant and bar under two miles as well. June, the owner, is fantastic, she makes you feel like you are at home. Her hospitality alone is worth stopping by and checking the place out!” – Will T.
Campground Details:
- Price: $20-60
- Number of sites: 14
- RV sites: Yes
- Fires allowed: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
2. Dowdy Lake
Image from The Dyrt camper Ryan S.
Dowdy Lake Campground offers a variety of amenities, including campsites with electrical hookups, restrooms, showers, a playground, a dump station, and a fish-cleaning station. The campground also has a store that sells basic supplies, and it offers boat rentals and guided fishing trips. Visitors to Dowdy Lake Campground can fish in the lake, go hiking on nature trails, and mountain bike.
The campground has 81 campsites that are arranged in loops with paved roads. Each loop is served by a central water supply, restroom facility, picnic table, fire grate, and barbecue grate. Sites in each loop are close together, but the roads in between create a sense of privacy. Each campsite comes with a back-in parking space for one car or small trailer, and some sites have electrical hookups. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Loved this campground and the nice lake. Camp hosts were very nice and accommodating. Was lucky to get a site w/o a reservation as runs pretty full. Lots of kids on weekends but quieter during week. Good fishing, kayak, etc access- no wake lake, no swimming. Lots of paddle boards. Electric sites, vault toilets very clean, no shower. Sites are nicely spaced and most are shady. Forest service so got a discount w my Lifetime NP pass.” – Peggy J.
Campground Details:
- Price: $20-64
- Number of sites: 70
- RV sites: Yes
- Fires allowed: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
3. Kelly Flats Campground
Image from The Dyrt camper Kendrick
Kelly Flats Campground is 17 miles from Red Feather Lakes, next to the Cache La Poudre River. Kelly Flats Campground is a campground located near the Cache La Poudre River. The campground has been operational since 1955 and offers tent and RV camping, along with fishing, swimming, and hiking opportunities.
“This campground is right along the Poudre river and has beautiful campsites. They offer a variety of sites including some very secluded ones, as well as a few that could easily host a large group through a few connected sites. I saw the hosts out checking and cleaning sites and bathrooms multiple times a day. I will definitely be returning to this campground in future visits to the area.” – Kate H.
Campground Details:
- Price: $24
- Number of sites: 29
- RV sites: Yes
- Fires allowed: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
4. West Lake
Image from The Dyrt camper Kelsey C.
West Lake Campground is a great place to get away from it all, with electric hookups and vault toilets available. The tents are perfect for those who just need space enough not too feel cooped up inside their own heads! As an added bonus there’s also some fantastic hiking nearby as well as other activities such as fishing or hunting — if you’re looking for something more active try canoeing on one of the surrounding lakes (I recommend Red Feather). For foodies luxuriate in luxury beef jerky at giant saltwater crockpots before heading back home again.
“West Lake campground is a beautiful spot off 74. The lake is great for fishing, and the tent campsites are super private. Your pass includes access to other lakes in the surrounding area as well. We didn’t see any moose but we could definitely hear them early in the morning. Clean bathrooms and great, friendly hosts!” – Corrin S.
Campground Details:
- Price: $24-64
- Number of sites: 36
- RV sites: Yes
- Fires allowed: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
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5. Mountain Park
Image from The Dyrt camper Brent K.
Mountain Park Campground is a great place to spend the weekend with family and friends. Hiking, fishing or just playing games in your tent are all possibilities here! Volleyball courts provide some entertainment while you’re waiting for dinner preparation time – but don’t forget about brown trout cooking over an open fire; they’ll be ready when ya get hungry enough (or if not, there’s plenty more where those came from).
“It was a GREAT stay. The sites are well spaced and the tent spots are maintained to be even – no lumps under you! Toilets are a reasonable distance. There is lots of shade and a great hiking trail up the ridge line. Staff is very friendly and it is very well maintained. It s a short drive to other spots such as Red Feather Lakes. I would definitely stay here again.” – Patty F.
Campground Details:
- Price: $32-64
- Number of sites: 32
- RV sites: Yes
- Fires allowed: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
6. Dutch George Campground
Image from The Dyrt camper Erica P.
Dutch George Campground is the perfect spot for a relaxing camping trip upriver from Mountain Park. The camp site sits in an idyllic valley along Cache la Poudre River, with stunning views of surrounding mountains and plenty to offer day or night – including first-come/-first serve sites available only by foot (or bike) that come equipped with fire rings as well vault toilets! You can enjoy this serene retreat while listening closely between hearing waterfalls flow over rocks below; it’s no wonder why there are so many people who find themselves loving how special these grounds really feel like when they’re away
“The restrooms were clean and well stocked, the campground was incredibly quiet because of the rushing river sounds and it was beautiful. We stayed in #9 and 10 on the East loop. Site 10 is very wide but doesn’t have much shade BUT if the river is high this is the best spot for kids as there is a large rock in the middle of the river that creates a gentle pool/gulley right in front of this spot. There are great trees all around for hammocks and shade. We will be back.” – D.
Campground Details:
- Price: $23-46
- Number of sites: 20
- RV sites: Yes
- Fires allowed: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
7. North Fork Poudre Campground
Image from The Dyrt camper The Free Birds RV R.
North Fork Poudre Campground is the perfect spot for travelers who want to get away from it all and commune with nature. The campgrounds have first-come, first serve sites that come equipped with fire rings as well vault toilets but you will need your own drinking water because there isn’t any within site proximity or nearby source options like faucets at least not while I’ve been going here which means if someone else might visit during my stay then they would have access to these amenities however unlike most other areas in Colorado where folks can just stop by the store on their way back home after fishing
“This is a great little campground with only 7 campsites that are first come first served. However, it’s almost never full and if it is full there are plenty of free camping areas along the road (forest service road). There is no electricity or sewer capabilities for RV’s and campers and the sites are relatively small, but a pop up or smaller 5th wheels and RVs will fit. The beautiful Kilpecker Creek runs through the camp and most of the campsites are situated right along the creek. All of the campsites have a good tent pad, fire pit and picnic table. The great thing about this campground is it’s location and the fact that the sites are fairly spaced out giving you more privacy at each site. There is also a great communal area in the center of the campground of you have a small group up there.” – Joe O.
Campground Details:
- Price: $13
- Number of sites: 9
- RV sites: Yes
- Fires allowed: Yes
- Pets allowed: Yes
Check out these seven Red Feather Lakes camping spots next time you’re looking for a trip to the Rockies. They’re your premier destinations for rich wildlife and outdoor adventure.
