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Cascade Campground
Cascade Campground offers 21 sites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Firewood is sold on-site. Sites #2- 7 and 11, 12 are "walk-up" first-come, first served. All other sites are reservable. Site #1 is used by the host from mid-May to Labor Day weekend. After that time it is available as a "walk-up", first-come, first-served site.
The campground is situated in a dense forest of Douglas fir and aspen at an elevation of 9,000 feet in Chalk Creek Canyon, which gets its name from the soft, white, chalk-like kaolinite canyon walls. Kaolinite is a clay mineral that was deposited by percolating hot springs.
Chalk Creek is just across the road from the campground. It flows 27 miles eastward from the Collegiate Peaks before joining the Arkansas River. Chalk Lake is a mile east of the campground.
Outside of peak season dates, camp hosts and water may not be available.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Closed for the season. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | Check out: 12 p.m. (noon) Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. |
| Reservations: | Sites may be reserved by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 at least 4 days in advance. (Friday and Saturday 2-night minimum required stay for weekend reservations. Three-night minimum for holiday weekend reservations). Prior to Memorial Day weekend, and after Labor Day, sites may be first-come, first-served. |
| Fees: | $25 per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $10 for a third vehicle. $10.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight. Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. Self-servicing fee tube is available. Sites must be occupied the first night of payment. Interagency Senior/Access passes valid for 50% discount to the camping fee for one site. |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Restrictions: |
|
| Closest Towns: | Buena Vista, CO and Salida, CO |
| Water: | Available from hand pump during peak season dates. |
| Restroom: | Vault toilets |
| Operated By: | Concessionaire |
| Information Center: | For general information, contact the Salida Ranger District. Campground does not have phone service; it is not possible to check availability prior to arrival. |
General Information
Directions:From Highway 285, turn west on County Road 162, past the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs resort (private), for about 9.5 miles. Cascade campground is located on the left side of the road just after the Cascade falls. This campground is located approximately 15 miles south of Buena Vista, Colorado.
Accessibility:
This campground has 3 universally accessible toilets.
General Notes:
Cascade Campground is located in Chalk Creek Canyon, one of the valley's most popular areas. Camping and campfires are restricted in the Chalk Creek Canyon to developed campgrounds only. Campers who are unable to find a campsite in one of the four developed campgrounds may camp above the townsite of St. Elmo on County Road 267 or near the Hancock townsite located 5 miles south on Forest Road 295. Additional camping is available in the Browns Creek area south of County Road 162 at the junction of County roads 270 and 272.
Activities
Campground Camping
RV Camping
Lake and Pond Fishing
Chalk Creek is located across from Cascade Campground. Stream fishing is best above the Cascade Falls located to the west of the campground.
OHV Road Riding
There is abundant OHV riding near Cascade campground. For information on what county roads permit OHV riding: https://www.chaffeecounty.org/Road-and-Bridge-OHV-Roads
Popular rides include: Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Hancock Lakes and Williams Pass (open during the month of August).
Location