How much does camping cost at Ansel Watrous?

Camping fees at Ansel Watrous range from $20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Ansel Watrous first-come first-served or reservation?

Ansel Watrous accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Ansel Watrous before I book?

Yes! Ansel Watrous has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Ansel Watrous?

Ansel Watrous is open January 01 to December 31. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Ansel Watrous?

Ansel Watrous does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Ansel Watrous have?

Ansel Watrous has 17 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Ansel Watrous?

Yes, pets are allowed at Ansel Watrous. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Ansel Watrous?

Ansel Watrous offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Ansel Watrous?

Popular activities at Ansel Watrous include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Ansel Watrous

4.54

291 reviews

Top 5% in COSummer

Scenic Views

Featured in:Camping Near Rocky Mountain National Park Best Campgrounds Colorado

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,000 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

17 campsites

Season

Open May 2 through D...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on USDA Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,000 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

17 campsites

Season

Open May 2 through D...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on USDA Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Ansel Watrous

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $20.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

970-295-6700.

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Ansel Watrous

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Campground Map

Ansel Watrous

Nearby places

Fort Collins (22 miles, approximately 30 minutes by car).

Weather at Ansel Watrous

Best Time to Camp at Ansel Watrous

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and the fullest range of river-based activities—expect comfortable daytime highs around 70–81°F with cool nights in the mid-50s. Warm, mostly dry conditions make July–August ideal for fishing, boating/raft runs on the Cache la Poudre, long canyon hikes, and evening stargazing. Weekends and holiday periods are noticeably busier, so plan reservations (available beginning June 25) or arrive on weekday mornings to secure a site. Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: January, February, March, April

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 5% in CO

Summer described as 'perfect camping weather' and peak season for rafting/hiking.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to December 31. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 2 through December 31. Reservations are available from June 25 onward each year.

About Ansel Watrous

Ansel Watrous sits along the Cache la Poudre River in Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, 20 minutes west of Bellvue. This Forest Service campground offers tent and RV sites in a mid-elevation canyon setting where the river's white noise competes with occasional highway hum. Campers fish, hike, and launch rafts from nearby put-ins during the summer season.

Ansel Watrous Campground provides options for tent and RV camping, with accessible sites spread across upper and lower loops. The upper loop accommodates longer trailers, while the lower loop is less accessible to large vehicles.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and the fullest range of river-based activities—expect comfortable daytime highs around 70–81°F with cool nights in the mid-50s. Warm, mostly dry conditions make July–August ideal for fishing, boating/raft runs on the Cache la Poudre, long canyon hikes, and evening stargazing. Weekends and holiday periods are noticeably busier, so plan reservations (available beginning June 25) or arrive on weekday mornings to secure a site. Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: January, February, March, April

Elevation6000 ft above sea level

Natural Features and ScenerySteep canyon walls hemmed in by ponderosa pine frame the Cache la Poudre as it rushes past camp at 6,000 feet. The river creates enough whitewater sound to mask most other noise. Dense conifers cling to rocky slopes above the campground, with some meadow openings along the canyon floor. The geology here shows millions of years of river erosion cutting through layered rock. Views shift throughout the day as sunlight moves across the narrow canyon.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodge-style accommodations are available within the campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay: 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 guests per site.

Groups

No designated group camping sites are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityThe campground offers accessible single-family sites and vault toilets. The upper loop is more accommodating for larger vehicles, while the lower loop is less suitable for trailers due to tight access roads.

Site SizeCampsites have a standard size, with pads measuring 12-by-15 feet and parking spurs ranging from 25 to 45 feet in the upper loop.

PrivacyPrivacy varies by site; some are in clustered areas, while others are more private. River noise provides a natural sound barrier in most areas.

Total Campsites17 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose lower loop sites for reduced road noise. Upper loop sites offer closer access to facilities.

Best CampsitesSites #4 and #15 get consistent praise for river views and better separation from neighbors. The lower loop puts you closer to the water but also nearer to Highway 14. Check the Mishawaka Amphitheater event schedule before booking. Concert weekends bring extra noise.

Need help booking Ansel Watrous?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Drinking water is available at the campground until Sept. 28th each year. The campground's lower loop is not accessible to trailers longer than 20 feet, due to a hairpin switchback near the campground entrance. The parking length ranges from 25 to 45 feet in upper loop. RVs, trailers or other vehicles must fit on the parking spur.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Ansel Watrous Campground offers a variety of recreational activities. These include fishing, hiking, rafting, wildlife viewing, and birding. The proximity to the Cache la Poudre River makes it a hub for water activities, while trails like the Young Gulch Trail provide land-based recreation.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Food Storage RequiredFood storage lockers are provided at campsites with tent pads to ensure safety from wildlife.

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.5

291 reviews

Top-Rated

Ansel Watrous is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews highlight the campground's location next to the Cache la Poudre River, with stunning views and well-maintained facilities. Commonly praised elements include clean vault toilets, helpful hosts, and the relaxing sound of the river. However, road noise from Highway 14 and occasional campground management issues, such as reservation mix-ups, are noted.

Review Summaries

Based on 291 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers frequently praise the clean vault toilets, proximity to the river, and helpfulness of the camp hosts. The natural beauty and accessibility to recreational activities are also highlighted....

Based on 291 reviews

Common Concerns

Concerns include noise from Highway 14, reservation errors, and occasional overcrowding during events at the nearby Mishawaka Amphitheater. Some users report issues with uncleaned sites and...

Based on 291 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 4 is praised for solar and Starlink compatibility, while site 15 offers spaciousness and proximity to the river. Sites 8, 9, 10, and 14 are better suited to single vehicles. Lower loop sites are...

Based on 291 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend staying in the lower loop for better distance from the road. Checking the Mishawaka Amphitheater event schedule can help avoid noisy weekends. Bring earplugs if sensitive to road...

Based on 291 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and summer are popular for activities like rafting and hiking, with multiple mentions of springtime wildlife viewing. Winter camping is peaceful, but access to potable water is unavailable...

Based on 291 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Perfect place to camp for a show at the Mishawaka—closer than the parking lot at Red Rocks." "The cleanest vault toilets I've ever seen." "Road noise is minimal at night, and the river drowns it...

Based on 291 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible features such as vault toilets and tent pads make the campground inclusive, but tight road access to the lower loop may pose challenges for larger vehicles.

Based on 291 reviews