4.1839 reviewsPrice
$18/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Open May 18 through ...
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Check Policy
Price
$18/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
12 campsites
Season
Open May 18 through ...
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Check Policy
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McDonald Flats Campground, Heeney Road, Green Mountain Reservoir, Colorado
Anglers and boaters who want a simple base camp on the reservoir will get the most from this place. Kokanee salmon and brown trout are the draw, the boat ramp is steps away, and the reservoir views from the better sites are worth an early arrival. Jessica Chapman says go early or
No potable water on-site means hauling everything in from Silverthorne, 16 miles out. Add zero shade, side-by-side sites with nothing between you and your neighbors, and wind that builds fast at 8,000 feet, and anyone who needs comfort or privacy will be miserable by afternoon.
Reference information about Mcdonald Flats Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p><strong>This campground is located along the Heeney Road near the inlet of Green Mountain Reservoir</strong>. There are a variety of activities around Green Mountain Reservoir including boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and picnicking.</p><div><p><a class="usa-button" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/FSEPRD1095189.pdf" style="margin: 0; margin-top:30px">View Dates and Fees</a></p></div>
The elevation is 8,000 ft. The campground stretches out along the southwestern shore of the Green Mountain Reservoir. Knee-high sage provides no shade or privacy between camp sites. Parking aprons and sites are configured in side-by-side clusters on the outside of the loops. Some sites overlook the reservoir.
Open May 18 through October 7
The water spigot is a hand pump.
The Green Mountain Reservoir is 2,000 acres (estimate). NOTE: Because of reservoir water level, boat ramp may not open - check with Ranger District Office.
The parking aprons are grass and gravel.
From Silverthorne, CO, take State Rt. 9 north 14.8 miles to Heeney Rd. 30 sign. Turn left onto Heeney Rd. (County Rt. 30) and go 2.1 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign onto gravel road (some erosion) and go 0.3 miles to campground.
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Summer delivers the best combination of reliable access and peak reservoir recreation. Expect daytime highs in the mid-60s to low-80s°F and nights dropping to the 30s and 40s°F. Long daylight hours and pleasant conditions make boating and fishing ideal from late June through August. Holiday weekends see moderate crowds, but nothing like lower-elevation lakes. The exposed sites mean wind can pick up without warning. Winter transforms the area into freezing conditions, with temperatures regularly plunging below zero and snow making access difficult.
Summer is best for reservoir recreation; temps comfortable, open season includes summer months.
At McDonald Flats Campground, the amenities are quite minimal and focused on basic camping needs. Facilities include vault toilets and a hand-pump water spigot. Potable water is explicitly noted as not available on-site, although water activities are prevalent due to the campground's proximity to Green Mountain Reservoir. User reviews frequently praised the cleanliness of the vault toilets, with comments like "Bathrooms were clean and didn't smell" (Monica A) and "Clean bathroom. Cell service." (DL M). Each of the 12 campsites is equipped with a picnic table and a grill, offering basic conveniences for campers. Fire pits are available, and users like Bobby O highlight the importance of "being responsible and keeping it clean." The campground lacks additional amenities such as showers, a dump station, or a dedicated camp store.
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