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Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Backpacking is most ...
Cell
No Service
Pets
No Pets
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46.1569, -92.8542
Multi-day backpackers who want a real wilderness loop: plan a route through the Two Rivers area where the Kettle meets the St. Croix, bring a water filter, and expect deer, otters, and raptors for company. Fall is the sweet spot, cooler temps, hardwood color, and far fewer mosqui
No potable water, no cell signal, no bear lockers, and no pets allowed. If anyone in your group needs hookups, a shower within walking distance, or reliable phone access, the developed campground elsewhere in the park is a better fit.
Context for the broader area surrounding Backpack Campsites Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
Lake Estes, a feature of the <A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=432">Colorado-Big Thompson Project</A>, is formed by <A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=249">Olympus Dam</A> constructed across the Big Thompson River. The afterbay storage in Lake Estes and the forebay storage in Marys Lake enable the Estes powerplant to meet daily variations in energy demand. Recreation facilities include a nine-hole golf course, five picnic and associated day-use areas, and a marina. Good access to recreation areas. The reservoir has approximately 185 water surface acres, 213 land acres and 4 milesof shoreline. Power boating is limited, but available. Sailing opportunities. Fish species available are largely rainbow trout. Facilities are closed in winter due to ice and snow.
Site is about 2 miles east of Estes Park, Colorado.
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Summer brings daytime highs in the 70s–80°F and cool nights in the 50s–60s, with dry trails and the longest daylight for multi-day loops. Spring runoff makes rivers high and trails muddy or marshy, especially in low-lying areas. Mosquitoes and ticks are heavy in warm months. Fall offers the best balance: cooler temperatures, fall color across the hardwoods, and fewer bugs. Winter is harsher and limits trail access, suitable only for experienced cold-weather campers.
Summer brings dry trails, warm days and longest daylight—ideal for multi-day trips.
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No official DNR page for the backpack campsites was provided. Secondary sources note that Minnesota DNR backpack/backcountry sites typically have minimal infrastructure (no potable water spigots or hookups), and often feature a fire ring and sometimes a picnic table with a vault/pit toilet nearby. Developed park campgrounds (not the backpack sites) offer showers and flush toilets.
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