Cold Springs Campground

4.50

17 reviews

Scenic Views

Quick Facts

10,318 ft

Price

$3 - $8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens U.S. Forest Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

10,318 ft

Price

$3 - $8/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens U.S. Forest Service site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Cold Springs Campground

$3.00 - $8.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees for camping vary and include additional reservation service fees: online reservations incur an $8 fee; contact center reservations incur a $9...

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

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What Campers Say

4.50

Recommended

Based on 17 reviews

13 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewshiking

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Cold Springs Campground is highly regarded for its scenic beauty and proximity to the Devil's Causeway trail. The small size and remote location are appreciated by users, though the road leading to the site can be rough."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Cold Springs Campground

40.0309, -107.1194

Driving directionsFrom downtown Yampa, take County Road 7 just behind the local General Store (Montgomery’s Grocery) for approximately 6 miles. The paved road turns into gravel where it becomes Forest Service Road 900. Cold Springs Campground is 16 miles on the right side after passing Bear Lake and Horseshoe Campgrounds.

The campground is accessed via Forest Service Road 900, which transitions from pavement to gravel. User reviews state the road can be rough and challenging depending on seasonal conditions: 'Road can be rough; awesome campground to get to Devil's Causeway.' Another reviewer shared, 'Well above the average washboarded road when I went. Roads change tho!' suggesting that road conditions vary.

Nearby places

Yampa, Colorado, approximately 16.5 miles away.

Nearby supplies

Montgomery’s Grocery in downtown Yampa serves as the closest supply location, as noted by user reviews like 'Don’t have food? Yampa General Store does. You can’t miss it!' Yampa is approximately 16.5 miles away from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Cold Springs Campground

Winter transforms Cold Springs into a crystalline wonderland where temperatures demand respect and proper preparation. Early season conditions can be particularly brisk, with mercury dipping to bone-chilling lows near 4°F while daytime highs hover around a crisp 23°F. Despite the cold, nature rewards hardy visitors with stunning clarity—over half the days feature brilliant blue skies that make the snow-dusted landscape sparkle. Moderate snowfall blankets the area in pristine white, creating perfect conditions for those seeking a true winter wilderness experience. These frigid temperatures and snowy conditions underscore the importance of checking current weather forecasts and packing appropriate cold-weather gear for your high-country adventure.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Campground especially favored in summer for hiking and scenic views per seasonal reviews.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Likely good for hiking and vistas in fall but limited direct mentions of fall conditions.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Early season can be brisk; spring conditions noted but not well-documented for recreation quality.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Winter is described as a 'crystalline wonderland' but accessibility and services in winter are unclear.

Planning Tips

About Cold Springs Campground

Nestled in the heart of Colorado's rugged backcountry, Cold Springs Campground offers an authentic wilderness escape just 16.5 miles from the charming town of Yampa. This intimate campground serves as your gateway to the breathtaking Flat Tops Wilderness, where towering peaks and pristine alpine landscapes create an unforgettable backdrop for your outdoor adventures. Each thoughtfully positioned campsite comes equipped with a sturdy picnic table and fire grate, perfect for evening gatherings under star-filled skies. While you won't find electric hookups or shower facilities here, the campground provides essential amenities including vault toilets and fresh potable water. Adventure beckons from every direction, with crystal-clear reservoirs waiting to be explored, world-class fishing opportunities, and access to legendary hiking trails including the Stillwater and Smith Lake Trailheads that wind through some of Colorado's most spectacular terrain.

Cold Springs Campground caters primarily to tent camping and possibly small RVs, though it is not specifically designed for RV use.

Weather and SeasonsWinter transforms Cold Springs into a crystalline wonderland where temperatures demand respect and proper preparation. Early season conditions can be particularly brisk, with mercury dipping to bone-chilling lows near 4°F while daytime highs hover around a crisp 23°F. Despite the cold, nature rewards hardy visitors with stunning clarity—over half the days feature brilliant blue skies that make the snow-dusted landscape sparkle. Moderate snowfall blankets the area in pristine white, creating perfect conditions for those seeking a true winter wilderness experience. These frigid temperatures and snowy conditions underscore the importance of checking current weather forecasts and packing appropriate cold-weather gear for your high-country adventure.

ElevationElevation details are not provided.

Natural Features and SceneryCold Springs Campground sits at the crossroads of Colorado's most stunning natural features, where the majestic Flat Tops Wilderness dominates the horizon with its distinctive mesa-like formations and endless vistas. The nearby Yamcolo Reservoir mirrors the sky and surrounding peaks, creating picture-perfect moments at every turn. This remarkable landscape has captured the hearts of countless visitors who describe it as 'easily one of the most scenic campgrounds' they've ever experienced. The area's pristine water bodies dot the terrain like jewels, offering tranquil spots for reflection and recreation. As one enchanted camper noted, this 'beautiful campground' fills quickly—and it's easy to see why. From sunrise painting the peaks in alpenglow to evening light dancing across the wilderness, every moment here offers a new perspective on Colorado's raw, untamed beauty.

Geological RegionPerched on the edge of the legendary Flat Tops Wilderness, Cold Springs Campground provides front-row seats to one of Colorado's most distinctive geological wonders. This ancient volcanic plateau, carved by millennia of wind, water, and ice, creates a dramatic landscape unlike anywhere else in the Rockies. The surrounding terrain tells a story written in stone—from the rugged wilderness expanses that stretch to the horizon to the pristine reservoirs nestled in glacial valleys. A network of trails weaves through this geological masterpiece, offering hikers intimate encounters with the area's diverse ecosystems and breathtaking vistas. The interplay between water and rock has sculpted a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, where crystalline reservoirs reflect towering cliffs and meandering streams have carved pathways through ancient volcanic deposits.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site

No explicit guest count per site is provided.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground has five sites and is described as well laid out: 'The place is beautiful, well laid out.

Reservation PlatformsReservations are handled through Recreation.gov, though Cold Springs Campground is not reservable due to its first-come, first-served nature.

Walk-in AvailabilityCold Springs Campground is fully first-come, first-served, as stated in authoritative content and user reviews.

Cancellation PolicyCamping reservations cancelled on the day before arrival ('late cancellation') will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee AND forfeit the first night's fees. No refunds for cancellations on the day of check-in.

AccessibilityThe campground does not provide specific information about accessibility features.

Site SizeThe campground consists of 5 campsites. Individual site sizes are not described.

PrivacyDetails about the level of privacy provided by each campsite are not included in the official or user-provided information.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Recommended SitesThe proximity to Devil's Causeway is highly praised, with one user noting it's '0.4 away from trailhead.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers excellent opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking and fishing. It is near Stillwater and Smith Lake Trailheads and boasts access to the Yamcolo Reservoir for fishing and boating.

Hiking"This is a prime area as the campground is close to the Stillwater and Smith Lake Trailheads on Forest Service Rd 900." Paper trail guides for these hiking opportunities are available at the Yampa Ranger Station.

FishingFishing opportunities are available at Yamcolo Reservoir and two other nearby reservoirs. One user noted that fishing quality was low at times: "...reservoir low, fishing not so good."

BoatingThe campground is close to a boat launch at Yamcolo Reservoir, which allows for boating activities.

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUser reviews highlight potential hazards like mosquitoes during the summer: 'Only downside: mosquitoes,' and variable road conditions: 'Road can be rough.'

Emergency ServicesEmergency services are closest in the town of Yampa, Colorado, though specific facilities like hospitals and ranger stations are not listed.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are not specifically mentioned.

Water FeaturesYamcolo Reservoir is nearby and has a boat launch. Two additional reservoirs are also in proximity, providing opportunities for fishing and boating. One user commented on this: 'Great location to Devil's Causeway reservoir low fishing not so good.'

Weather at Cold Springs Campground

Reviews

4.5

17 reviews

Recommended

Cold Springs Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Cold Springs Campground is highly regarded for its scenic beauty and proximity to the Devil's Causeway trail. The small size and remote location are appreciated by users, though the road leading to the site can be rough.

Review Summaries

Based on 17 reviews

What Campers Love

Users frequently praise the scenic views and the campground's proximity to hiking trails like Devil's Causeway. Comments include "Easily one of the most scenic campgrounds I’ve been to!" and "Awesome...

Based on 17 reviews

Common Concerns

Some users mentioned mosquitoes as a downside, and others noted that the road to the campground can be challenging to navigate: "Road can be rough."

Based on 17 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors suggest preparing for mosquitoes and recommend visiting the Yampa General Store for supplies. It's also suggested to hike Devil's Causeway, with one user saying, "Perfect spot to hike...

Based on 17 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is especially favored during the summer months for hiking activities and scenic views. Winter accessibility and usability are not discussed.

Based on 17 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Easily one of the most scenic campgrounds I’ve been to!" "Super rad place to camp. Hike Devil’s Causeway and this will be a camping trip of a lifetime!" "Vaulted toilet and some sort of water...

Based on 17 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews note that the campground includes only five sites and may not be fully compatible with RVs: "5 sites in total; none really RV-compatible, but you could make it work."

Based on 17 reviews

0 review