How much does camping cost at Stove Prairie?

Camping fees at Stove Prairie are $29/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Stove Prairie first-come first-served or reservation?

Stove Prairie 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 Stove Prairie before I book?

Yes! Stove Prairie has 6 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 Stove Prairie?

Stove Prairie is open May 01 to October 09. 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 Stove Prairie?

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

How many campsites does Stove Prairie have?

Stove Prairie has 8 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Stove Prairie?

Yes, pets are allowed at Stove Prairie. 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 Stove Prairie?

Stove Prairie 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 Stove Prairie?

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

Stove Prairie

4.60

163 reviews

9054 U.S Hwy 285

Top 13% in COSpring

A-Report Card

Featured in:Hiking Near Estes Park#2 Camping Near Estes Park#2 Tent Camping Near Estes Park#3 +4 more

Quick Facts

6,076 ft

Price

$29/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Open season is May 2...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,076 ft

Price

$29/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Open season is May 2...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on U.S. Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Stove Prairie

$29.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $29.00; WALK TO: $29.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Hike and Bike Site Fee$29.00

Get Notified When Available

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Provider

970-295-6700

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Campground Map

9054 U.S Hwy 285

Stove Prairie

9054 U.S Hwy 285

Nearby places

Fort Collins (26 miles, approximately 40 minutes)

Weather at Stove Prairie

Best Time to Camp at Stove Prairie

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and the fullest range of river recreation — expect daytime highs typically in the 60s–75°F and nights cooling into the low 40s–50°F. This is prime time for rafting, kayaking, morning fly-fishing on the Cache la Poudre, long forested hikes and mountain biking when trails are dry. Weekends are moderately busy with day-users from Fort Collins, so midweek stays give the quietest experience; watch for afternoon thunderstorms and plan water activities for early/ Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 13% in CO

Spring is quieter with manageable river levels; cold nights but pleasant days in late May.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to October 09. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season is May 2 to October 11, with reservations starting June 25 of the same year.

About Stove Prairie

Stove Prairie sits in mid-elevation forest along the Cache la Poudre River corridor in Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, just outside Bellvue. This U.S. Forest Service campground offers a handful of sites for tent and RV camping, with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Visitors fish the Poudre, hike nearby trails, and listen to the river at night.

The Stove Prairie Campground is designed for tent and RV camping. It features 8 accessible sites, 4 of which are walk-to tent sites. RVs and trailers are allowed, with parking lengths ranging from 30 to 55 feet.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and the fullest range of river recreation — expect daytime highs typically in the 60s–75°F and nights cooling into the low 40s–50°F. This is prime time for rafting, kayaking, morning fly-fishing on the Cache la Poudre, long forested hikes and mountain biking when trails are dry. Weekends are moderately busy with day-users from Fort Collins, so midweek stays give the quietest experience; watch for afternoon thunderstorms and plan water activities for early/ Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation6076 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground hugs the Cache la Poudre River at 6,076 feet, where steep canyon walls rise on either side. Ponderosa pine forests dominate the slopes, with aspen groves scattered between. Meadows open periodically along the canyon floor, breaking up the dense forest. The river runs year-round, providing both sound and recreation. Users specifically mention "lovely river sounds at night" and "scenic river views" from several sites. This is classic canyon country. Tight, forested, carved by water.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo information about hotel-style lodgings or similar accommodations is provided.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 nights maximum during a single visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 people allowed per site.

Groups

No group-specific sites are available.

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 via website, mobile app, and call center.

AccessibilityAll 8 campsites are accessible. Vault toilets are also noted as accessible.

Site SizeEach site features a 12-by-15 tent pad. RV users reported fitting 40-ft rigs with no issues.

PrivacyPrivacy varies by site; some are more secluded, while walk-to tent sites offer better spacing. 'Sites are spaced out pretty good!' and 'Walk-in sites were not on top of each other.

Total Campsites8 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 1 has easy access but requires careful navigation due to nearby ditches. Walk-to tent sites are close to the river and well separated from RV sites.

Best CampsitesSites 3, 4, and 5 get frequent mentions in reviews for shade, size, and river proximity. The walk-to tent sites offer better spacing than the RV-accessible loops and put you farther from vehicle noise.

Need help booking Stove Prairie?

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

The Stove Prairie Campground offers a variety of basic amenities designed for a comfortable camping experience. Each of the 8 single-family sites comes equipped with tent pads measuring 12-by-15, picnic tables, and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets are available and noted by users as clean and well-maintained; 'The bathrooms were extremely clean,' according to multiple reviewers. Water is available during peak season, but there are no RV hookups for water or waste disposal. Firewood can be gathered from the surrounding area or purchased from the campground host. Trash collection facilities are also present.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Stove Prairie

Stove Prairie offers a rich variety of recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy whitewater rafting, fishing for trout, hiking, biking, horseback riding, birding, and wildlife viewing. Notable trails nearby include the Mt. McConnel Trail and Young Gulch Trail, offering opportunities for both leisure and more challenging hikes.

Hiking4.0/5

Multiple nearby trails (Mt. McConnel, Young Gulch) and trail access from the canyon corridor.

Fishing4.0/5

Anglers target brown, cutthroat, rainbow trout in the Cache la Poudre; river access from campground.

Boating4.0/5

Whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular on the Cache la Poudre; river runs year-round.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Reports of deer, hummingbirds and good birding/wildlife viewing in forest and meadow patches.

Water Sports4.0/5

Whitewater kayaking is popular on the Poudre; campground provides convenient river access.

Biking3.0/5

Biking trails available nearby, but no detail on trail difficulty or network.

Signature experiences

Stargazing3.5/5National Forest setting suggests low light and good skies, but no explicit stargazing notes.

Photography4.0/5Canyon walls, river, aspen and ponderosa stands provide varied photo subjects.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; only vault toilets are provided, which users describe as clean and well-maintained.

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof lockers are provided at campsites for safe storage of food and attractants.

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.

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

Rate Stove Prairie

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From Booking Sources

4.6

163 reviews

Top-Rated

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

Users frequently praise Stove Prairie for its cleanliness, scenic views, and peaceful atmosphere. The proximity to the river is a standout feature, along with the well-maintained facilities and friendly camp hosts. Seasonal variations in bathroom maintenance were noted, with summer seeing higher traffic impacts.

Review Summaries

Based on 163 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean restrooms, scenic river views, proximity to hiking trails, and RV-friendly sites. 'The bathrooms were extremely clean,' and 'Lovely river sounds at night' were common praises.

Based on 163 reviews

Common Concerns

Some campers noted issues with crowded bathrooms during late summer and the presence of poison ivy near the riverbank.

Based on 163 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #3 is highly recommended for its size and shade. Sites #2 and #8 were favored for RV accessibility and proximity to the river.

Based on 163 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early in the season to avoid crowds and ensure better bathroom conditions. Campsites closest to the river offer the best experience for peace and scenery.

Based on 163 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring sees quieter conditions and manageable river levels, while summer brings more traffic but a lively atmosphere. Late season may have cleanliness challenges.

Based on 163 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The bathrooms were extremely clean, the campground hosts were very nice.' 2. 'Right on the water. Clean bathrooms. Nice drive around the area.' 3. 'We love site #3, which is mostly in the shade,...

Based on 163 reviews

Accessibility Features

Vault toilets and campsites are accessible. No specific complaints or issues with accessibility were noted.

Based on 163 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but must be leashed. No significant issues or standout features for pet owners were mentioned.

Based on 163 reviews

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Stove Prairie

$29.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $29.00; WALK TO: $29.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Hike and Bike Site Fee$29.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

970-295-6700

Go if

You want a quiet riverside base camp for fishing and hiking without the crowds of larger campgrounds.

Skip if

You need flush toilets, full hookups, or guaranteed restroom maintenance during peak weekends.

Nearby Campgrounds

32 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Colorado, along Highway 14

Narrows sits along the Cache la Poudre River in Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, west of Bellvue. Vista Recreation operates this small mid-elevation campground with tent, RV, and primitive walk-in sites. Campers fish, boat, hike, and watch wildlife along the river corridor, though Highway 14 runs nearby.

Stove Prairie

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Stove Prairie

Campground Map

Weather at Stove Prairie

Best Time to Camp at Stove Prairie

Planning Tips

About Stove Prairie

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Stove Prairie?

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Stove Prairie

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

How campers graded it

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Featured in these camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Stove Prairie

Best Time to Camp at Stove Prairie

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Stove Prairie?

Amenities available

Things to do at Stove Prairie

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews