How much does camping cost at Highline Lake Campground?

Camping fees at Highline Lake Campground are $21 - $38/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Highline Lake Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Highline Lake Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Highline Lake Campground before I book?

Yes! Highline Lake Campground has 5 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.

What is the best time to visit Highline Lake Campground?

Highline Lake Campground is open Camping available year‑round; swim beach and peak boating season are seasonal (swim mid‑May–September; boating generally March 1–September 30 per secondary sources).. 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 Highline Lake Campground?

Yes, Highline Lake Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Highline Lake Campground have?

Highline Lake Campground has 36 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Highline Lake Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Highline Lake Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Highline Lake Campground?

Highline Lake Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Highline Lake Campground?

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

Highline Lake Campground

4.27

112 reviews

Top 13% in COSpring

Seasonal ranking by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

4,700 ft

Price

$21 - $38/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

36 campsites

Season

Camping available ye...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on Colorado State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Quick Facts

4,700 ft

Price

$21 - $38/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

36 campsites

Season

Camping available ye...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyShowers

Book on Colorado State Parks Official Website

Get Directions

Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Highline Lake Campground

$21.00 - $38.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Nightly camping fees reported in visitor accounts ranging roughly $21–$38; a daily or annual park pass is also required. Exact current fees should be...

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

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Colorado State Parks

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Highline Lake Campground

39.2758, -108.8331

Nearby places

Fruita

Grand Junction

Nearby supplies

Grand Junction

Weather at Highline Lake Campground

Best Time to Camp at Highline Lake Campground

Summer brings hot, sunny days perfect for swimming and boating—expect plenty of families making the most of the water during peak season. Visit in spring or fall for comfortable temperatures and a quieter experience, ideal for fishing or watching migratory birds pass through the wetlands. Winter transforms the campground into a peaceful retreat where hardy campers enjoy solitude under crisp desert skies, though you'll want to save your swim for warmer months.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 13% in CO

Spring offers comfortable temps, good birdwatching and fewer crowds than summer.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Camping available year‑round; swim beach and peak boating season are seasonal (swim mid‑May–September; boating generally March 1–September 30 per secondary sources).

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

About Highline Lake Campground

Escape to a refreshing lakeside oasis in Colorado's Grand Valley, where Highline Lake Campground offers shaded, grassy sites just steps from a swim beach and sparkling waters. This irrigated haven stands in beautiful contrast to the surrounding high desert, making it a year-round favorite for families seeking fishing, birdwatching, and water recreation in an unexpectedly green setting.

Bookcliff Campground includes 36 sites for tents and RVs arranged in loops near Highline Lake; sites have picnic tables, fire rings, and grills.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings hot, sunny days perfect for swimming and boating—expect plenty of families making the most of the water during peak season. Visit in spring or fall for comfortable temperatures and a quieter experience, ideal for fishing or watching migratory birds pass through the wetlands. Winter transforms the campground into a peaceful retreat where hardy campers enjoy solitude under crisp desert skies, though you'll want to save your swim for warmer months.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.

Natural Features and SceneryPicture yourself camping beside Highline Lake's blue waters, where irrigated lawns and towering cottonwoods create a cool, green sanctuary amid the desert landscape. The relatively flat terrain makes exploring easy, with trails leading to scenic overlooks where you'll spot waterfowl gliding through wetlands against a backdrop of the dramatic Bookcliffs and distant Grand Mesa. Nearby Mack Mesa Lake adds to the aquatic options, while the mix of riparian habitat and high desert terrain creates surprising diversity—one moment you're beneath shade trees by the water, the next you're gazing across sagebrush hills stretching to the horizon.

Geological RegionGrand Valley (near the Bookcliffs and Grand Mesa)

Scenic ViewsLakeside and lakefront views of Highline Lake with vistas toward the Bookcliffs, Colorado National Monument, and Grand Mesa from higher points; wetlands and open skies create strong birdwatching vantage points.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsTypically reserved through Colorado State Parks (UseDirect) — confirm on official park website.

Total Campsites36 campsites

Best CampsitesSites nearest the lake and swim beach with more shade and lawn are generally preferred for families and water‑recreation visitors; Bookcliff loop sites vary in shade and proximity to the water.

Amenities available

Bookcliff Campground sites feature picnic tables, fire rings and grills; potable water is available from multiple hydrants. The park has restrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, laundry reported nearby, and an on‑site RV dump station. Visitor center, swim beach, boat ramps, playground, and a small gift/ice/firewood outlet are noted.

Showers

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Highline Lake Campground

Highline Lake State Park offers a mix of water‑based recreation, trails, wildlife viewing, and family amenities centered on two lakes (Highline Lake and Mack Mesa Lake). Seasonal rules affect some activities (for example motorized boating may be seasonally restricted).

Fishing4.0/5

Fishing on Highline and Mack Mesa lakes; trout and warmwater species; Mack Mesa used for ice fishing.

Swimming4.0/5Top 8% in Colorado

Designated, family-friendly swim beach on Highline Lake (typically mid-May–September).

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Strong birdwatching and waterfowl viewing; wetlands and lake habitat highlighted in descriptions.

Beach activities4.0/5Top 16% in Colorado

Family-friendly swim beach with grassy, shaded shoreline; seasonal (mid-May–Sept).

Water Sports4.0/5

Calm lake waters and boat access support paddling and casual kayaking/canoeing.

Boating3.5/5

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Photogenic mix of lake, waterfowl, cottonwoods and distant Bookcliff/Grand Mesa vistas.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPeak summer weekends can bring heavy boat traffic and noise. Other hazards include hot, sunny conditions with limited shade at some sites, potential mosquitoes near water in warm months, and seasonal hunting activity on the lakes during waterfowl seasons—standard precautions for wildlife and water safety apply.

Cell CoverageMajor camping and park information sources do not provide detailed cell‑coverage maps for Highline Lake State Park. Based on its location in the Grand Valley near Loma and just north of I‑70, cell service from major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T‑Mobile) is generally expected to be present but may vary in strength across the park; some general regional information indicates typical highway‑adjacent coverage but weaker signal in low, rural basins, which can apply here. This is an inference rather than a documented campground‑specific report, and no camping site (Campendium, The Dyrt, Hipcamp) currently provides explicit signal ratings for this park. Visitors should not rely on strong data service everywhere in the park and may experience spotty reception in some areas.

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.

Good to know

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, and timing, compiled by Outdoorithm from public reviews and operator information.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

112 reviews

Satisfactory

Highline Lake Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitor sentiment is generally positive: the park is praised as an oasis with well‑maintained lawns, shade trees, clean restrooms and showers, and strong opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and birdwatching. Common complaints relate to summer crowding and boat noise, limited shade at some sites, and limited electrical hookups for RVs.

Review Summaries

Based on 112 reviews

What Campers Love

Oasis‑like grassy lakeside setting; family‑friendly swim beach, playground, and picnic areas; clean restrooms and hot showers; strong birdwatching and wildlife viewing; convenient boat access and...

Based on 112 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve in advance and/or arrive early on weekends for desirable lakeside sites; visit weekdays or shoulder seasons for fewer crowds; bring sun protection, plenty of water, and shade; check current...

Based on 112 reviews

Camper Quotes

Camping in the off season here is glorious. | No electrical hook ups but there is access to water. | The amount of paddle boards are ridiculous!! | Hot showers, clean bathrooms.

Based on 112 reviews

Reviews on Outdoorithm

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Highline Lake Campground

$21.00 - $38.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Nightly camping fees reported in visitor accounts ranging roughly $21–$38; a daily or annual park pass is also required. Exact current fees should be...

No campsite fee categories listed.

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

Colorado State Parks

Provider

Go if

Families, birdwatchers, and water-focused campers will like this. The 36 sites sit by the lake at 4,700 feet, with flush toilets, hot showers, potable water, and a 3.5-mile loop plus swim beach and boat access close by.

Skip if

Quiet, private RV hookups are the priority. Reviews mention crowded summer weekends, boat noise, limited shade at some sites, and most spots don’t have electrical hookups. Campers who feel out of place in small-town Colorado crowds may have a rougher stay.

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

4.3

(112)

Highline Lake State Park

1800 11.8 Road, Loma, Colorado, 81524, United States

Highline Lake State Park sits at 4,741 feet in western Colorado's Grand Valley near Loma, offering 36 campsites beneath shade trees on grassy terrain. Nightly fees range from $21 to $38. The park combines man-made reservoirs with high desert landscape, creating what visitors call a 'nice oasis in Colorado summer.' It's busy during peak months, quieter in fall and winter.