Happy Meadows

Star4.19
122 reviews
P.O. Box 74, Lake George, CO 80827
Peace & QuietFishing

Quick Facts

8,809 ft

Price

$24 - $29/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

7 campsites

Season

Open season: May 16 ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly
Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Happy Meadows
$24.00 - $29.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Nightly rates range from $24-$29 during the peak season (May 16 to October 12). Rates do not include applicable taxes, reservation fees, or...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(661) 702-1420tbolton@goexplorus.com
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.19

Satisfactory

Based on 122 reviews

92 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleanwell-maintained

Some mention

noise

"Happy Meadows Campground is generally well-received, with an average sentiment score of approximately 4.43 out of 5. Visitors frequently praise the campground's scenic beauty, quiet environment, and excellent fishing opportunities. However, some concerns about restroom cleanliness and camp host availability have been noted."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

P.O. Box 74, Lake George, CO 80827

Happy Meadows

P.O. Box 74, Lake George, CO 80827

Driving directionsFrom Denver and Colorado Springs, take I-25 to Highway 24 west toward Woodland Park. At Lake George on US-24, turn north on County Road 77, also known as the Tarryall road. Travel about a mile and turn east on County Road 112. Continue on County Road 112 turning right at the dead end. The campground will be on the right after about a mile.
Accessible via paved roads until County Road 112, which includes unpaved sections and potential washboard terrain. Reviews mention that while accessible, larger RVs may experience minor challenges navigating tight spaces.
Nearby places
Lake George (3 miles, approximately 10-minute drive), Woodland Park (approx. 28 miles), Colorado Springs (approx. 50 miles), Denver (approx. 97 miles).
Nearby supplies
Lake George provides the nearest convenience and supply options, including a general store, fishing tackle and bait shop, and cabin rentals. For larger supply needs, Woodland Park and Colorado Springs offer grocery stores, camping gear outlets, and fuel stations.

Best Time to Camp at Happy Meadows

Happy Meadows transforms with each season, offering campers a different experience throughout the year. Summer brings warm, sun-drenched days perfect for river activities, though mountain evenings remind you to pack that extra layer. Spring and fall paint the landscape in spectacular colors, but these shoulder seasons can surprise visitors with sudden snow flurries that dust the surrounding peaks. The high-altitude location creates a delightfully dry climate, where afternoon thunderstorms provide dramatic sky shows before giving way to crisp, star-filled nights that seem close enough to touch.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5

Peak season for fishing, tubing and warm days; many summer reviews praise activities.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Shoulder season offers quieter stays and scenic fall views; occasional early snow noted.

Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5
Top 16% in CO

Open starting May 16; spring offers active river conditions and fresh scenery but variable weather.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 16–Oct 12; winter camping not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak season is May 16 to October 12.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season: May 16 - October 12. Reservations available starting June 26, 2025.

About Happy Meadows

Nestled along the banks of the pristine South Platte River, Happy Meadows Campground offers an intimate escape into Colorado's wilderness with just seven carefully spaced sites. Each spot comes equipped with its own picnic table and fire ring, creating the perfect basecamp for evenings under starlit skies. While the campground maintains a rustic charm with vault toilets and a fresh water pump, it's the lack of RV hookups that preserves its peaceful, back-to-nature atmosphere. Adventure beckons just minutes away at the renowned Eleven Mile Reservoir, where anglers chase trophy trout, hikers explore winding trails, and summer visitors float lazily down crystal-clear waters.
Happy Meadows Campground supports various camping setups, primarily focusing on RV and tent camping. Group camping or luxury accommodations like glamping are not supported.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in at 2:00 PM.
Check-out
Check-out at 12:00 PM.
Stay Limit
Maximum consecutive stay of 14 nights.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Happy Meadows offers numerous recreational opportunities, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy world-class trout fishing along the South Platte River, tubing, hiking, and scenic drives in Eleven Mile Canyon and the Tarryall Valley. Wildlife viewing and birdwatching are also frequent activities, supported by the area's diverse natural environment.
HikingHiking opportunities abound in and around the campground. Notable trails include the Platte River Trail, which is a short drive away and offers a 6.5-mile round trip hike. Reviewers appreciated these trails, with one stating, 'Platte River Trail is a short drive up the road, about a 6.5-mile round trip out-and-back hike.'
FishingHappy Meadows is renowned for its fishing opportunities, particularly trout fishing along the South Platte River. Several reviewers highlighted this, with one commenting, 'As a fly fisherman, Happy Meadows is an excellent location. The Platte River flows behind the campsite #2.' However, some noted challenges with fishing conditions, such as muddy water caused by upstream work.
Wildlife viewingHappy Meadows offers abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing due to its proximity to the South Platte River and Pike Forest. Visitors often spot smaller animals and birds.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include local wildlife (e.g., bears), high elevation challenges, and occasional river rapids unsuitable for tubing beyond shallow exit points.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Happy Meadows

Reviews

4.2
122 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Happy Meadows is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Happy Meadows Campground is generally well-received, with an average sentiment score of approximately 4.43 out of 5. Visitors frequently praise the campground's scenic beauty, quiet environment, and excellent fishing opportunities. However, some concerns about restroom cleanliness and camp host availability have been noted.
Review Summaries
Based on 122 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive user feedback emphasizes the campground's small size, peaceful atmosphere, proximity to the South Platte River, excellent fishing opportunities, and the helpfulness of camp hosts. Reviewers...
Show more
Based on 122 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues raised by visitors include inconsistent cleanliness of vault toilets, occasional unavailability of the camp host, and challenges arising from neighboring campers' noise or behavior. For...
Show more
Based on 122 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend booking well in advance due to the campground's small size and high demand. Campers also suggest bringing appropriate gear for tubing, as river conditions can vary. Proper food...
Show more
Based on 122 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews highlight the campground's appeal during summer months for fishing and tubing. However, the offseason offers quieter stays, with occasional snowfall adding to the scenic beauty. Complaints...
Show more
Based on 122 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'This is a great campground on the shores of the Upper South Platte River. Great for fly-fishing!' - David P. 2. 'The hosts thought of everything.' - Brandylyn C. 3. 'Bathrooms need to be...
Show more
Based on 122 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific feedback includes comments such as: Site #2 is ideal for fly fishing due to its proximity to the river, while Site #1 is noted for limited space and shade. Sites near the river are...
Show more
Based on 122 reviews

Accessibility Features

There are no specific reviews addressing accessibility features, but general feedback indicates that the sites are spacious and the vault toilet is centrally located.
Based on 122 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Happy Meadows is pet-friendly, and visitors appreciate the opportunity to bring their dogs. However, pets must remain on a leash or tethered at all times, as noted in official guidelines.
Based on 122 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Happy Meadows? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Colorado

Campgrounds
PSICC
Happy Meadows