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Recreation Region: South Platte Ranger District

Buffalo Campground

Current Conditions
The campground is typically open from early May to late September, depending on weather conditions.

Located about an hour drive southwest of Denver, Colorado, at an elevation of 7,400 feet, Buffalo Campground provides a wonderful opportunity for individuals or families to enjoy the great outdoors. Buffalo Campground offers a setting far enough from town that there is no corner store, while being close enough that the drive to and from home makes a pleasant getaway.

As part of the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, there are several multiuse nonmotorized trails nearby. 

No dump station or hook-ups are available.

Reservations

Make Reservations Here

Call 877-444-6777 or visit recreation.gov at least four days in advance. A minimum stay on Friday and Saturday night is required on weekends. A three-night minimum stay is required on holiday weekends. Walk-ups are exempt from the nightly minimum.

General Information

The are 38 campsites available. 24 sites are reservable, and 14 sites are first-come, first-served.

On-site Host is usually at campsite #2.

If campsites have not been previously reserved, they will also be first-come, first-served sites. First-come, first-served sites must be occupied the same night.

Buffalo Campground does not have electricity or water hook-ups. There is no dump station available. The closest dump station is Chatfield Lake State Park in Littleton.

There is creek access across from the campground entrance.

Several hiking trails are within walking distance of the campground.

Early May to late September

Check in: 2 p.m.
Check out: 12 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The following restrictions apply to this campground:

  • A maximum of eight people, two tents and two vehicles or one RV is allowed per site.
  • Dogs must be leashed at all times.
  • No discharge of firearms or fireworks is permitted.
  • Only licensed vehicles can operate inside the campground.
  • Bears are common in the area, and a bear closure order is in place. All bear attractants, both food and nonfood items that can attract bears, should be kept in a bear-resistant manner. Bear bags, bear boxes and coolers within hard-sided vehicles are safer ways of storing attractants. Pop-ups, tents and open-top vehicles are not safe storage areas. Tips for camping in bear country are available from camp hosts.
  • Camping is not allowed behind a locked gate.

The Interagency Senior Pass and the Interagency Access Pass qualify for a 50% discount at concessionaire-run campsites. The discount only applies to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass owner, not to any additional campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass owner's party.

Overnight Use:
Single Site: $28 per night
Additional Vehicle Fee: $11 for third vehicle
Day Use:
$11 per day if not camping overnight

$28 fee per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles or one recreation vehicle (RV) per site is included in the camping fee. $11 fee for a third vehicle. 

$11 fee for day use if not camping overnight. 

Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. A self-service fee tube is available. First-come, first-served sites must be occupied the same night.

Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Contact Name: South Platte Ranger District

Contact Phone: 303-275-5610

Forest Service sign over an entry in an office plaza setting.

Address: 30403 Kings Valley Drive, Suite 2-115 Conifer, CO 80433
Phone: 303-275-5610
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 39.34153919

Longitude: -105.32961944

Elevation

7,400 feet

Directions

From Denver, Colorado, travel U.S. Highway 285, turn south at Pine Junction onto Jefferson County Road 126. Follow Jefferson County Road 126 to Forest Road 550 approximately 13.5 miles south. Turn west onto Forest Road 550. The campground is 5 miles.

Parking

Parking is available for either two vehicles or one RV per campsite. Additional parking is available apart from the campsite.

A fee of $11 will be charged for each additional vehicle.

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Vault toilets

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

Picnic tables, fire rings or grates are available.

Recreation Opportunities

Last updated February 3, 2026