How much does camping cost at Crow Valley?

Camping fees at Crow Valley range from $17-$77/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Crow Valley first-come first-served or reservation?

Crow Valley 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 Crow Valley before I book?

Yes! Crow Valley has 10 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 Crow Valley?

Crow Valley is open May 01 to November 06. 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 Crow Valley?

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

Is there cell service at Crow Valley?

Cell phone service at Crow Valley is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Crow Valley have?

Crow Valley has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Crow Valley?

Yes, pets are allowed at Crow Valley. 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 Crow Valley?

Crow Valley 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 Crow Valley?

Popular activities at Crow Valley include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Crow Valley

4.12

274 reviews

PAWNEE NATIONAL GRASSLAND PO BOX 386, AULT, CO, 80610, USA

Top 1% in COSpring

Featured in:Tent Camping Colorado

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,800 ft

Price

$17 - $77/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Open May 2 to Novemb...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,800 ft

Price

$17 - $77/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Open May 2 to Novemb...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG Official Website

Get Directions

Crow Valley

$17.00 - $77.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NON ELECTRIC- Per Person Fee (Steward J Adams): $77.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC (Hawk, Lark, Plover): $77.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC-...

Group Site Fee$77.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(970) 834-9270

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

PAWNEE NATIONAL GRASSLAND PO BOX 386, AULT, CO, 80610, USA

Crow Valley

PAWNEE NATIONAL GRASSLAND PO BOX 386, AULT, CO, 80610, USA

Nearby places

Briggsdale (approximately 1 mile away), Grover (approximately 10 miles away)

Weather at Crow Valley

Best Time to Camp at Crow Valley

Best season: spring. Spring brings the best combination of mild daytime temperatures (typically 50–70°F by late May) and peak bird migration, making Crow Valley a top destination for birdwatching and wildflower viewing. Cottonwoods and elms leaf out, offering relief from wind and sun, while trails are at their greenest and wildlife is most active in the mornings and evenings. Crowds are generally light-to-moderate (larger on holiday weekends), so you get excellent wildlife viewing and stargazing without the summer’s Peak months: May, June, September, October Avoid: December, January, February, March

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

5.0 / 5

Top 1% in CO

Spring is peak bird migration and 'best' season; reviews strongly recommend spring visits.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to November 06. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 2 to November 8 (peak season). Reservation period starts June 25 in peak seasons.

About Crow Valley

Crow Valley sits in the Pawnee National Grassland near Ault, Colorado, managed by the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests. This very small campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites in mid-elevation forest, with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Spring draws birdwatchers and wildflower enthusiasts when cottonwoods leaf out and migration peaks.

Crow Valley Recreation Area offers a mix of camping options including family campsites, group sites, and an educational site.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring brings the best combination of mild daytime temperatures (typically 50–70°F by late May) and peak bird migration, making Crow Valley a top destination for birdwatching and wildflower viewing. Cottonwoods and elms leaf out, offering relief from wind and sun, while trails are at their greenest and wildlife is most active in the mornings and evenings. Crowds are generally light-to-moderate (larger on holiday weekends), so you get excellent wildlife viewing and stargazing without the summer’s Peak months: May, June, September, October Avoid: December, January, February, March

Elevation4800 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryShortgrass prairie dominates the landscape, interrupted by cottonwood and elm groves near the family sites and creek drainages carved by wind and water. The terrain rises from the campground's 4,800-foot base to 5,685 feet, creating habitat variation across the grassland. Group sites sit in open prairie without shade, connecting visitors directly to the wide sky. Crow Creek traces a ribbon of green through the terrain, while the Pawnee Buttes mark the distant horizon. Light shifts across the open spaces throughout the day, and the absence of nearby towns makes for exceptional stargazing after dark.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no hotel-style lodging available within the Crow Valley Recreation Area. Camping is limited to standard campsites, group areas, and an educational site.

Programs & ActivitiesThe Lee and Dorothy Rhoads Farm Implement Museum offers insights into pioneer life, as described: "The collection of tools donated by descendants of homesteaders can help one imagine what life was like in pioneer days." Educational programs are also run at the Steward J. Adams site.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Each site accommodates a camper and tent, or double sites allow multiple campers.

Groups

Group sites include Hawk, Plover, and Lark, which can be reserved separately or together. These sites feature picnic tables and fire pits in a common area. Sites can accommodate up to 200 people and include tent pads arranged around shared spaces.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov or by calling their contact center at 1-877-444-6777.

AccessibilityThe Steward J. Adams Educational Site is accessible and can accommodate up to 100 people for day-use or overnight stays. Accessible vault toilets are available, and trails offer options for bird watching and hiking.

Site SizeCampsites are generally spacious with room for vehicles and tents, as noted in user reviews: "Spacious camp sites" and "Sites are far apart.

PrivacyPrivacy varies across sites. While some offer shade and spacing, others are described as more open: "Sites are spaced well but not overly private" and "Sites not real close together, some have shade, some have lots of sun.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid site 8 in summer due to exposure and dust. Site 7 is better for privacy and shade.

Best CampsitesSite 9 gets consistent praise for its spaciousness and shade. Sites near the trailheads are also popular with hikers and birders who want quick access to the grassland.

Need help booking Crow Valley?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Crow Valley Recreation Area offers essential amenities for campers seeking a blend of nature and minimalistic camping comfort. The campground provides vault toilets that are highly praised for their cleanliness, as highlighted by several user reviews: "The cleanest and nicest smelling vault toilets I’ve ever seen" and "Bathrooms unbelievably clean and pleasant." Drinking water is available seasonally, but many reviewers have noted that water is not always accessible: "Currently and for the last two years there is no running water." Each family campsite is equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, as noted in the authoritative description and echoed in user reviews: "Picnic tables and campfire rings in every site." The group picnic area includes 31 tables and a large grill, accommodating up to 200 people. However, users have repeatedly highlighted the absence of showers and water hookups as a limitation.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Crow Valley Recreation Area offers a rich variety of activities suitable for nature enthusiasts. Bird watching is a signature activity, with over 200 species reported in the area: "The birding was fantastic" and "Lots of bird watching in the trees, and out in the grassland." Star gazing is another popular pastime due to the area's remote location and minimal light pollution: "Beautiful stars at night." Hiking trails provide opportunities to explore the grassland and nearby attractions, like the Pawnee Buttes.

Hiking

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available. Vault toilets serve as the primary restroom facilities, and numerous user reviews praise their cleanliness: "Vault toilets were immaculate" and "Pit toilets were cleaned daily."

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

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.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trash & RecyclingTrash receptacles are available throughout the campground, but recycling facilities are not explicitly mentioned. Some users reported improper disposal of trash by other campers: "Some previous campers left their trash in the bathrooms rather than the dumpsters."

Cell CoverageCell phone service is available at Crow Valley, as noted in some user reviews: "Close to Briggsdale - DOES have cell service." However, some users have reported issues with reception depending on site location.

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

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

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

From Booking Sources

4.1

274 reviews

Satisfactory

Crow Valley is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Crow Valley are generally positive, emphasizing cleanliness, spacious campsites, and the area's suitability for bird watching and star gazing. However, the lack of water and occasional issues with privacy and noise are noted.

Review Summaries

Based on 274 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 274 reviews.

Site 9Loved
Site 9 is noted for its shade and openness.
Site 7Mentioned
Site 7 offers better conditions compared to site 8.
Site 8Issues noted
Site 8 is described as exposed and dusty, particularly during summer.

What Campers Love

Clean restrooms, well-maintained campsites, birding opportunities, star gazing, spacious sites, and peaceful environment were highly praised.

Based on 274 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the lack of water, occasional noise from roads, limited privacy between sites, and issues with the camp host's behavior.

Based on 274 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing water due to its unavailability, bug spray for flies, and earplugs to address road noise. Several reviews also suggest booking reservations in advance and opting for shaded...

Based on 274 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and summer seasons are preferred for bird watching and star gazing, while fall offers cooler temperatures and fewer bugs. Winter camping is less reviewed but might appeal to those seeking...

Based on 274 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Lovely campground with beautiful stars, birdsong, and sunrises." "Vault toilets were immaculate." "The sites are well maintained, chemical toilets are cleaned daily." "Bring bug spray."

Based on 274 reviews