Idlewild Campground

Star3.21
75 reviews
Idlewild Campground

Quick Facts

9,000 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

24 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Recreation.gov site

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Idlewild 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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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
1-877-444-6777

What Campers Say

3.21

Mixed Reviews

Based on 75 reviews

92 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanlocationfriendly

"Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Idlewild Campground, consistently giving 5/5 ratings. They praise the beautiful river setting, proximity to town, helpful hosts, and frequent wildlife sightings, calling it one of their favorite camping and “staycation” spots."

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Best Time to Camp at Idlewild Campground

The high-altitude setting brings crisp mountain mornings and the dramatic spectacle of afternoon thunderstorms rolling through during spring and summer. These brief but powerful storms are part of the Rocky Mountain experience, typically clearing by evening to reveal stunning sunsets over the peaks. Come prepared with layers and rain gear to fully enjoy your stay regardless of what the mountain weather brings.

Spring (Mar-May)

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

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

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 Idlewild Campground

    Nestled along the Fraser River just south of Winter Park off US Highway 40, Idlewild Campground serves as your gateway to Colorado's high country adventures. This well-appointed campground features 24 thoughtfully designed single sites, each equipped with tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings with grills, bear-proof lockers, and modern amenities including restrooms, potable water, and an attentive on-site host to ensure your mountain escape is both comfortable and memorable.
    Idlewild offers 24 non-electric single campsites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. Sites are described as single, non-electric sites with standard campsite amenities (tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, bear locker).
    Historical SignificanceYour campsite sits in the shadow of history, with the legendary Rollins Pass nearby—once a vital railroad route that carried passengers and freight across the Continental Divide before the Moffat Tunnel was built. The surrounding area tells the story of Colorado's pioneering spirit, where historic routes wind through wilderness areas that have challenged and inspired explorers for over a century.
    Weather and SeasonsThe high-altitude setting brings crisp mountain mornings and the dramatic spectacle of afternoon thunderstorms rolling through during spring and summer. These brief but powerful storms are part of the Rocky Mountain experience, typically clearing by evening to reveal stunning sunsets over the peaks. Come prepared with layers and rain gear to fully enjoy your stay regardless of what the mountain weather brings.
    ElevationPerched at 9,000 feet above sea level where the air is thin and the stars shine impossibly bright, the campground hugs the banks of the Fraser River as it carves its way through the high country. At this elevation, you'll experience the true alpine environment—cooler temperatures even in summer, the scent of high-altitude pine and fir, and that unmistakable clarity of mountain air.
    Natural Features and SceneryThe Fraser River flows just steps from your tent, its cold, clear waters tumbling down from the Continental Divide while towering evergreens frame views of the surrounding peaks. Berthoud Pass rises to the south, the rugged Vasquez Wilderness beckons to the west, and the historic Rollins Pass area spreads to the north. The paved Fraser River Trail winds past the campground, offering an accessible pathway for cyclists and walkers to explore the valley between Winter Park and Fraser, where wildlife sightings are common and the scenery shifts with every turn.
    Geological RegionSituated in the Fraser River corridor where ancient glaciers carved the valley between mountain ranges, the campground occupies a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological forces. The nearby Berthoud Pass marks a crossing of the Continental Divide, while the Vasquez Wilderness preserves pristine alpine terrain, and historic Rollins Pass reveals the dramatic geology that early railroad engineers dared to conquer.
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsites24 campsites
    Recommended CampsitesSites are non-electric single sites that accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs; each site includes a tent pad, picnic table, metal fire ring, and a bear-resistant food storage locker.

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
    Reveal picks

    Reserving a campsite

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

    Site layout24 non-electric single sites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs; each site has a tent pad, picnic table, and metal fire ring.
    Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov or by calling the Recreation.gov call center at 1-877-444-6777.
    Cancellation PolicyModifications must be made through Recreation.gov or by calling the call center at 1-877-444-6777 prior to the reservation start date; customers and contact center agents cannot modify reservations on or after the check-in date.

    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Fire rings
    Food storage lockers
    Picnic tables

    Activities you can enjoy

    The campground is well located for hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing. Nearby features include the Fraser River Trail, access roads and trailheads to Vasquez Wilderness and Rollins Pass, and the scenic Berthoud Pass drive.
    Hiking
    Nearby trailheads and the Fraser River Trail (a paved path) provide opportunities for short walks and longer hikes into surrounding wilderness areas such as Vasquez Wilderness and Rollins Pass.
    Fishing
    Fishing is accessible near the campground along the Fraser River.
    Biking
    The paved Fraser River Trail runs near the campground and connects Winter Park and Fraser, offering biking opportunities; nearby roads (including Berthoud Pass) also attract cyclists.
    Wildlife viewing
    The campground setting along the Fraser River and nearby wilderness areas provides opportunities for wildlife viewing and sightseeing.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed

    Hazards

    General hazardsAfternoon thunderstorms in spring and summer.

    Weather at Idlewild Campground

    33
    °F
    Dec 11
    Thursday
    Clear sky
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 73%
    Wind: 8.3 mph
    Clear sky

    Weather History
    Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

    Detailed 7-Day Forecast
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    Reveal forecast

    Good to know

    Trash and recyclingTrash service is provided at the campground.
    Proximity to water featuresLocated along the Fraser River; Fraser River Trail runs near the campground.
    HostA campground host is on site.

    Campground Map

    Idlewild Campground
    Driving directionsFrom Winter Park, travel one mile south on US Highway 40. The campground is on the east side of the road.
    Off US Highway 40 (one mile south of Winter Park).
    Nearby places
    Winter Park (approximately 1 mile north)
    Fraser (connected via the Fraser River Trail
    distance not specified)
    Arapaho National Recreation Area and western portal of Rocky Mountain National Park (within an hour's drive).
    Nearby supplies
    Grocery shopping and restaurants are available in the towns of Winter Park and Fraser.

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    3.2
    75 reviews
    Mixed Reviews
    Mixed Reviews
    Idlewild Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Idlewild Campground, consistently giving 5/5 ratings. They praise the beautiful river setting, proximity to town, helpful hosts, and frequent wildlife sightings, calling it one of their favorite camping and “staycation” spots.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 75 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Campers love the scenic location along the Fraser River, with some noting great fishing and “best fishing in the city.” The friendly, available camp hosts are repeatedly praised, as are the well‑kept...
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    Based on 75 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    The campground operates on a first‑come, first‑served basis, and multiple reviewers note that it can fill up, so arriving early improves your chances of getting a site (especially river spots)....
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    Based on 75 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "This campground is great! Camp host is friendly and always willing to help. She worked with us to move down to the amazing river spot!!" "One of our all time favorite spots. First come basis so good...
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    Based on 75 reviews

    Site-Specific Reviews

    Several reviews highlight “amazing” spots along the Fraser River as particularly desirable, with one camper noting the host helped them move to a riverfront site. Another reviewer mentioned getting...
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    Based on 75 reviews

    Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

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    Last updated December 10, 2025
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