How much does camping cost at Pines Campground?

Camping fees at Pines Campground range from $10-$20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Can I see photos of campsites at Pines Campground before I book?

Yes! Pines Campground has 1 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 Pines Campground?

Pines Campground is open null. 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 Pines Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Pines Campground?

Fire policies at Pines Campground: Fire grates are provided at each site. No additional fire policy information available.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Pines Campground have?

Pines Campground has 11 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Pines Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Pines Campground. 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 Pines Campground?

Pines Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Pines Campground?

Popular activities at Pines Campground include Hiking, Fishing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Pines Campground

Q: Is Pines Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Pines Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. "Great little campground that's easily accessible." - User review by Randall W. No reservation platform is mentioned; appears to operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

4.38

16 reviews

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Featured in:Camping Near Estes Park Fishing Colorado Camping Near Rocky Mountain National Park +8 more

Quick Facts

9,200 ft

Price

$10 - $20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

11 campsites

Season

June (weather depend...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

9,200 ft

Price

$10 - $20/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

11 campsites

Season

June (weather depend...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Pines Campground

$10.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Overnight Use: Single Site: $20 per night Double Site: $40 per night Additional Vehicle Fee: $5 per vehicle per night $20/site, exact cash or check...

Standard Site Fee$10.00

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I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Pines Campground

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Campground Map

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Pines Campground

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Nearby places

Walden (25 miles, approximately 30 minutes)

Gould (4 miles, approximately 5 minutes)

Nearby supplies

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Weather at Pines Campground

Best Time to Camp at Pines Campground

Summer is the reliable window here. By July, trails shake off snow and daytime temperatures reach the low 70s. Mornings drop into the 30s and 40s, so pack warm layers. River flows ease after spring runoff, improving fishing conditions. Long daylight hours and modest crowds make this the sweet spot. Autumn brings gold aspens and cooler temps. Winter closes access entirely, with heavy snow and lows around 5°F.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

July trails snow-free, daytime highs ~low 70s; summer is the reliable window for visiting.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: June (weather dependent) - Mid to Late October (weather dependent)

About Pines Campground

Pines Campground sits at 9,200 feet along the South Fork of the Michigan River in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests. The 11 sites range from tent pads to spaces that fit large trailers, with fees from $10 to $20 per night. Beetle kill has stripped most of the shade, opening up views but leaving sites exposed to sun and weather.

Pines Campground accommodates tent camping and RVs. While group campsites, cabins, or glamping options are not explicitly mentioned, the campground offers 11 individual campsites with fire grates and picnic tables.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the reliable window here. By July, trails shake off snow and daytime temperatures reach the low 70s. Mornings drop into the 30s and 40s, so pack warm layers. River flows ease after spring runoff, improving fishing conditions. Long daylight hours and modest crowds make this the sweet spot. Autumn brings gold aspens and cooler temps. Winter closes access entirely, with heavy snow and lows around 5°F.

ElevationPerched at 9,200 feet in Colorado's high country, Pines Campground places you firmly in the realm of mountain air and alpine adventures. At this elevation, the air is crisp and thin, offering spectacular views but requiring visitors to pace themselves as they acclimate. The altitude brings cooler temperatures even on summer's warmest days, making it a refreshing escape from lower elevations. Visitors should come prepared with extra layers and plenty of water, allowing time to adjust to the thinner air that characterizes this mountain sanctuary.

Natural Features and SceneryThe South Fork of the Michigan River runs through camp, carving through a mountain valley where forest meets grassland. At this elevation, the landscape shows the work of glacial carving and volcanic uplift. Peaks, valleys, and waterways shaped over millennia. Beetle kill has thinned the tree canopy considerably, which means less shade but broader views of the surrounding mountains. Wildflower meadows appear along nearby trails in summer. Reviewers mention awesome sunrise views and beautiful country, though the lack of shade is a real tradeoff.

Geological RegionNestled within the vast expanse of Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, Pines Campground occupies a special corner of Colorado's geological tapestry. The South Fork of the Michigan River has carved its path through ancient rock formations, creating a dramatic mountain valley at 9,200 feet elevation. This region showcases the powerful forces that shaped the Rocky Mountains, from glacial activity to volcanic uplift, resulting in the stunning peaks, valleys, and waterways that define this spectacular landscape. The campground serves as your basecamp for exploring this diverse ecosystem where forest meets grassland, and mountain streams nurture life in the high country.

Scenic Views"Awesome sunrise view." - User review by Northeasy Iowa Outdoors.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

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Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutnull

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in AvailabilityGreat little campground that's easily accessible." - User review by Randall W. No reservation platform is mentioned; appears to operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cancellation Policynull

Site SizeAs per user reviews, the campsites vary in size, accommodating everything from tents to large trailers. For instance, Randall W. mentioned, 'There are a variety of site sizes from tent to large trailer sites.

PrivacyThe campsites offer little to no privacy due to the lack of shade caused by beetle kill, as per the official description.

Total Campsites11 campsites

Recommended SitesLarge campsites suitable for RVs and a variety of site sizes, including both tent and large trailer sites, as noted by user reviews.

Amenities available

Campers should come prepared with their own water as there is no potable water.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Pines Campground offers a range of outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, OHV riding, and hunting. 'Beautiful country!' and 'great area and trails,' as noted by user MossiFett, highlight the appeal of the surrounding natural environment.

Hiking

Fishing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & Alerts"Due to the beetle kill campsites offer very little to no shade." - Official Source. No potable water is available, so campers must bring their own.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

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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

4.4

16 reviews

Recommended

Pines Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews generally praise Pines Campground for its scenic beauty, cleanliness, and accessibility. Highlights include comments on the picturesque environment, spacious campsites, and well-maintained vault toilets.

Review Summaries

Based on 16 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects mentioned by users include the 'awesome sunrise view' and 'beautiful area' (Northeasy Iowa Outdoors), 'clean and beautiful' facilities (Mark Marquardt), and the ability to...

Based on 16 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the lack of potable water and shade. Gary Snelson highlights the 'no water' issue and 'lots of bugs.'

Based on 16 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Randall W. pointed out the variety of site sizes, making it suitable for both tents and large trailers.

Based on 16 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips from users suggest bringing your own water due to the lack of potable water and considering the area's suitability for ATVs, as suggested by MossiFett: 'Definitely bring your ATV.'

Based on 16 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The open season is June to late October, with typical activities being highly weather dependent. Fall brings cooler temperatures, while summer may have more bugs, as noted by Gary Snelson.

Based on 16 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Great place to camp no water lots of bugs.' – Gary Snelson 2. 'Awesome sunrise view. Beautiful area nearby. Perfect rustic campground.' – Northeasy Iowa Outdoors 3. 'Great little campground...

Based on 16 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but dogs must be kept on a leash, as per the official site rules.

Based on 16 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

ATV riders and anglers who pack their own water will be right at home: OHV trails nearby, the South Fork of the Michigan River running through camp, and sites spacious enough for large trailers.

Skip if

No shade is the real story here, beetle kill has stripped the canopy, so if hot sun or afternoon storms bother you, the exposure on all 11 sites will wear thin fast. Bugs can be bad too.

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Pines Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Pines Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>No potable water, campers should come prepared with their own water. No date has been determined as to when it will have potable water again. <br /><br />Pines Campground is located 25 miles southeast of Walden in the Gould Area, adjacent to the South Fork of the Michigan River, a scenic mountain stream. It sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet.<br />Pines Campground has 11 campsites. Each campsite offers a fire grate and picnic table.<br />The campground offers a vault toilet. And has a scenic mountain stream.</p><p>Due to the beetle kill campsites offer very little to no shade. </p><div class="usa-alert usa-alert--info usa-alert--slim"><div class="usa-alert__body"><p class="usa-alert__text">This site was approved for a fee change - <a class="usa-link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbr/fire/?cid=FSEPRD1092198">Click here for more information</a></p></div></div>

About the campground

The elevation is 9,200 ft. The campground is located next to the South Fork of the Michigan River among Ponderosa pines and fir trees. It has a grass understory with a wilderness feel. Due to a recent mountain pine beetle epidemic, many of the Routt National Forest 444 sites are in the open, providing good views of the mountains. The Colorado State Forest is a short distance away. The camp sites are adjacent to the river, which can be heard throughout the campground. About six miles from the campground down a 4X4 trail (Forest Rt. 470), is the ghost town of Teller City. It is said the residents of this silver mining town departed in such a rush they left behind dirty dishes and clothes. Gas and limited groceries can be obtained at the KOA campground, 1.8 miles west of Gould, CO on State Rt. 14.

Seasons & access

Open first week June through end September - weather dependent

Facilities

The water spigot is a hand pump.

RV information

The parking aprons are rock and dirt. An RV waste station is available for a fee at Ranger Lake campground in the Colorado State Forest, 3.8 miles east of Gould, CO on State Rt. 14. There is - no potable water.

Directions

From Rustic, CO, take State Rt. 14 west 37.1 miles to campground sign (County Rt. 21 in Gould, CO). Turn left onto Rt. 21 (gravel) and go 3.1 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.

National Forest: Routt National Forest
Ranger District: Parks
Elevation: 9200
Rate: $10 per day
Maximum Stay: 14
Open Season: June (weather dependent) – October (weather dependent)