Campgrounds · Woodland Park and Lake George, Pike National Forest

Pikes Peak and Woodland Park camping: reservations and cancellations

Six Forest Service campgrounds around Woodland Park and Lake George. Most book at short notice, so cancellations matter here.

See the campgrounds
  • Campgrounds we watch here6
  • Book by4 to 5 days before arrival
  • Longest window posted180 days, at Spillway

How do Pikes Peak and Woodland Park campground reservations work?

These Forest Service campgrounds are booked on recreation.gov. The Forest Service pages say to book at least 4 days ahead but not how far out sites open, so check which dates are on sale before you plan around a release day. Spillway is the one that states a maximum, 180 days. Colorado Campground's page says only that limited sites can be reserved up to 4 days before arrival.

Colorado Campground, South Meadows, Thunder Ridge and Spillway have first-come sites that must be occupied the same night, and their pages don't say which sites those are. Spruce Grove and Riverside have no Forest Service page in our research, so their rules come from recreation.gov alone. Spillway and Riverside charge an $11 one-time Eleven Mile Canyon entry fee, and Spillway has a 2-night weekend minimum.

Which Pikes Peak and Woodland Park campgrounds can I book, and when?

South Meadows

Near Woodland Park
  • No window posted
  • About 64 sites, early May to late October

Open meadow camping in Pike National Forest, a few miles from Woodland Park.

Watch it free

Thunder Ridge

Above Rampart Reservoir
  • No window posted
  • 21 sites, mid-May to mid-October

Ponderosa-pine sites in Pike National Forest, a short drive from Colorado Springs.

Watch it free

Spillway

Eleven Mile Canyon
  • Opens 180 days ahead
  • 23 sites, $11 entry fee

On the South Platte at the base of the Eleven Mile Reservoir dam, near Lake George.

Watch it free

Spruce Grove

Tarryall Creek
  • No window posted
  • Reservable to 5 days out

Beside the rock outcrops on Tarryall Creek, with Lost Creek Wilderness trails nearby.

Watch it free

Riverside

South Platte, near Lake George
  • No window posted
  • Reservable to 5 days out

South Platte riverside sites near Lake George, downstream from Eleven Mile Canyon.

Watch it free

Rules verified Nov 4, 2026 against recreation.gov for Colorado Campground, the Colorado Campground page, recreation.gov for South Meadows, the South Meadows page, recreation.gov for Thunder Ridge, the Thunder Ridge page, recreation.gov for Spillway, the Spillway page, recreation.gov for Spruce Grove and recreation.gov for Riverside. Rules change: check before you book.

What are conditions like in Pikes Peak and Woodland Park right now?

Our conditions board tracks inclement weather, wildfire, smoke, air quality and closures for Pikes Peak and Woodland Park. Set a watch and we also keep an eye on conditions around your trip, and email you if they turn bad, with nearby campgrounds that look clear.

Live conditions boardRelease-day calendar

Sold out in Pikes Peak and Woodland Park?

Pick a campground and your nights, and we’ll email you when a site opens. You book it yourself on recreation.gov. Setting a watch is free.

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Common questions

When do Pikes Peak area campground reservations open?

Most post no long window: the Forest Service says to book at least 4 days ahead. Spillway at Eleven Mile is the exception, with sites bookable up to 180 days ahead per recreation.gov. Check each campground's recreation.gov page for the dates on sale.

Are there first-come sites near Woodland Park and Lake George?

Yes. Colorado Campground, South Meadows, Thunder Ridge and Spillway have first-come sites that must be occupied the same night, though the pages don't say which. At Spruce Grove and Riverside, sites still unreserved 5 days before arrival become first-come.

When is Colorado Campground open?

Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend, depending on weather, per the Forest Service.

Can Campsite Ranger book a site for me?

No. Campsite Ranger never books for anyone and never asks for your recreation.gov login. It emails you when a site for your dates opens, and you book it yourself on recreation.gov.