Matchless Campground

Star4.31
32 reviews
Matchless Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens booking site

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Matchless Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.31

Recommended

Based on 32 reviews

48 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietpeacefulclean

"Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing a clean, quiet campground with beautiful views right by Turquoise Lake and the Matchless boat ramp. Campers appreciate the proximity to fishing, boating, and the lakeside trail network, as well as well‑maintained bathrooms and friendly hosts. Only one review mentions a serious negative experience related to perceived racial profiling by a ranger while fishing."

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Best Time to Camp at Matchless Campground

Perched at 10,000 feet above sea level, Matchless Campground exists in the realm of high-altitude adventure where the air is crisp and thin. Visitors should arrive prepared for the elevation, allowing time to acclimate and watching for symptoms of altitude sickness. The mountain climate brings cool evenings even in summer, with afternoon thunderstorms common during warmer months and the possibility of snow well into spring and starting again in early fall.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

    About Matchless Campground

    Nestled along the pristine eastern shore of Turquoise Lake, Matchless Campground welcomes RV adventurers to a first-come, first-served mountain retreat where the water meets the sky. With full amenities including restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, and fire rings, plus immediate access to a boat ramp, this lakeside haven fills quickly on weekends as campers discover its perfect blend of convenience and natural beauty.
    Matchless Campground is a non-reservable campground located on Turquoise Lake's eastern shore that accommodates larger recreational vehicles.
    Historical SignificanceThe campground carries the legendary name of the Matchless Mine, the silver treasure that transformed Leadville prospector Horace A.W. Tabor into one of America's wealthiest men during the Colorado silver boom. This storied mine became synonymous with both incredible fortune and tragic loss, as Tabor's second wife Baby Doe famously lived out her final years in poverty at the mine site, creating one of Colorado's most enduring tales of boom and bust in the Old West.
    Weather and SeasonsPerched at 10,000 feet above sea level, Matchless Campground exists in the realm of high-altitude adventure where the air is crisp and thin. Visitors should arrive prepared for the elevation, allowing time to acclimate and watching for symptoms of altitude sickness. The mountain climate brings cool evenings even in summer, with afternoon thunderstorms common during warmer months and the possibility of snow well into spring and starting again in early fall.
    ElevationAt 10,000 feet elevation, Matchless Campground sits firmly in Colorado's high country, where the atmosphere holds roughly 30% less oxygen than at sea level. First-time visitors to this altitude should plan to take it easy for the first day, staying hydrated and avoiding strenuous activity until their bodies adjust to the thinner mountain air.
    Natural Features and SceneryTurquoise Lake lives up to its name, spreading out before the campground in a stunning display of blue-green waters framed by towering peaks and dense evergreen forests. The eastern shore location provides front-row seats to spectacular sunrises over the water, while the immediate lakeside position means you can launch your boat, cast a fishing line, or dip your toes in the cool mountain water just steps from your campsite. The surrounding San Isabel National Forest creates a backdrop of wilderness that feels both remote and accessible.
    Geological RegionSituated on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake within the Sawatch Range of the Colorado Rockies, where ancient granite peaks and glacially-carved valleys create the dramatic high-altitude landscape that defines this corner of the San Isabel National Forest.
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    Campsite details

    Sites SizeAccommodates larger recreational vehicles
    Total Campsitesnull campsites
    Recommended CampsitesAccommodates larger recreational vehicles and is adjacent to the boat ramp and parking; firewood is available at the host site.

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    Reserving a campsite

    Tents
    Tents are not allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are not allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are not allowed


    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Fire rings
    Picnic tables
    Firewood available

    Activities you can enjoy

    The campground sits on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake and is adjacent to a boat ramp and parking areas, providing direct lake access. No other specific activities are listed in the source material.
    Boating
    Campground is adjacent to the Turquoise Lake boat ramp and parking areas, providing direct access for boating from the eastern shore.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed
    • Fire rings are provided at campsites; firewood is available at the host site. No specific fire restrictions provided.

    Hazards

    General hazardsHigh-altitude sickness may occur at 10,000 feet.

    Weather at Matchless Campground

    31
    °F
    Dec 11
    Thursday
    Clear sky
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 66%
    Wind: 5.2 mph
    Clear sky

    Weather History
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    Good to know

    Proximity to water featuresOn the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake and adjacent to the boat ramp and parking areas.
    Common complaintsUsage is moderate on weekdays and heavy on weekends.
    HostFirewood is available at the host site (host presence indicated); no host contact details provided.

    Campground Map

    Matchless Campground

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    4.3
    32 reviews
    Recommended
    Recommended
    Matchless Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing a clean, quiet campground with beautiful views right by Turquoise Lake and the Matchless boat ramp. Campers appreciate the proximity to fishing, boating, and the lakeside trail network, as well as well‑maintained bathrooms and friendly hosts. Only one review mentions a serious negative experience related to perceived racial profiling by a ranger while fishing.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 32 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Campers love the lakeside location near the boat ramp, making it ideal for trout fishing, small boats, and kayaks, and they praise the scenic views as “stunning” and “best camping in Colorado.” The...
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    Based on 32 reviews

    Common Concerns

    Very few complaints are mentioned. One reviewer reports a serious issue of being cited while fishing and feeling racially profiled by a ranger. Another minor wish is for showers to be added, and one...
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    Based on 32 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Multiple reviewers suggest checking the overflow/boat launch camping area down the Matchless boat dock road if the main campground is full; it’s described as cheaper by about $4 and still with a...
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    Based on 32 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    “This first-come first-served campground is amazing! There are no power hookups or running water (even in the camp toilet area). If you are self- sustaining, this spot is lovely.” “Don’t be thrown...
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    Based on 32 reviews

    Site-Specific Reviews

    One reviewer mentions staying five nights at site 13 and having a very positive experience, noting that it is about a two‑minute walk from Turquoise Lake. They highlight that the host at the time...
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    Based on 32 reviews

    Accessibility Features

    Several reviews mention paved/blacktop parking and describe the main camping area as a “big concrete pad,” with short trails or staircases leading to shaded picnic tables and fire rings, suggesting...
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    Based on 32 reviews

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    Last updated December 10, 2025
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