Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Ansel Watrous Campground
Campground is adjacent to Cache La Poudre River. Area varies from heavily forested to open meadow, and is surrounded by steep mountains. Facilities provided include restrooms and drinking water. Each site contains a tent pad, fire grate, and picnic table. All campsites with a tent pad have a bear locker. Popular activities include fishing, white water rafting, and hiking. Sites are available on a first come, first serve basis outside the reservation season. There are no sewer site hookups. The lower loop does not accommodate trailers, as the turn into the campground is very tight. The upper loop is open year-round.
View a campground map.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | The upper loop of the campground is open year-round. |
|---|---|
| Reservations: | Reservations are accepted at all campsites. Make your reservations at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 as early as 6 months in advance and at least 4 days prior to arrival. There is an additional $9 fee for this service via the website and a $10 fee for reservations made via the call center. |
| Fees: | Check detailed fee information on www.recreation.gov or see general fees on our campground table. Fees are discounted 25% when water is off. Interagency Senior, Interagency Access, Golden Age and Golden Access passes provide cardholders half-price for basic campground fees. |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Restrictions: | A single site may hold up to eight people. Tents must fit on the pads provided. RVs, trailers or other vehicles must fit on the parking spur because driving or parking off road is not permitted. The parking length ranges from 25 to 45 feet in upper loop. In the lower loop RV size is limited to an overall length of 30 feet. |
| Closest Towns: | Fort Collins, CO |
| Water: | Drinking water is usually available through late September. (Filling RVs not permitted) |
| Restroom: | Vault Toilets |
| Operated By: | Vista Recreation |
General Information
Directions:Drive 11 miles north of Fort Collins on U.S. Highway 287. Turn left (west) onto Colorado Highway 14 (Poudre Canyon) and travel approximately 13 miles.
Activities
Campground Camping
This popular riverside campground is only 30 minutes from Fort Collins.
| No. of Sites | 16 RV sites and 3 walk-in sites for tents only |
| Reservation Info | Reservations are accepted at all campsites. Sites can be reserved as early as 180 days in advance up to a minimum of four days prior to arrival. Reservations may be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or online at: www.recreation.gov |
| Fire Information | Unless fire restrictions are in effect, campfires are allowed in the fire ring provided, dead and down wood may be gathered from the forest if available. Wood may also be purchased from the hosts. |
| No. of Accessible sites | Reservations are accepted at all campsites. Sites can be reserved as early as 180 days in advance up to a minimum of four days prior to arrival. |
RV Camping
This popular riverside campground is only 30 minutes from Fort Collins.
| No. of Sites | 16 sites |
| Pavement Type for Parking | Gravel |
| Reservation Info | Reservations are accepted at all campsites. Make your reservations at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 as early as 180 days in advance and at least 4 days prior to arrival. |
| Hookup - Water | no |
| Size Restrictions | Lower Loop overall vehicle and RV size access limited to maximum of 30 feet. Upper Loop RV sites range from 25-45 feet in length. |
| Hookup - Sewer | no |
| Dump Stations | no |
| Fire Information | Unless fire restrictions are in effect, campfires are allowed in the fire ring provided. Wood may be purchased from the hosts. |
| Hookups - Electric | no |
| No. of Accessible sites |
River and Stream Fishing
Please check with the Colorado Division of Wildlife for information about licenses and regulations. http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/