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.
Mount Princeton Campground
Mount Princeton Campground offers 19 sites equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Wheelchair accessible vault toilets are provided. Firewood is sold on-site. Parking spurs are gravel.
Sites #1, and 14-17 are "walk-up", first-come, first-served sites. All other sites are reservable. Site #2 is used by the host from mid-May to Labor Day weekend, after that it is available as a "walk-up", first-come, first-served site.
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, sites may be first-come, first-served and hosts and water may not be available. |
| 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 & Salida, CO |
| Water: | Drinking water from hand pump. |
| Restroom: | Vault toilets |
| Passes: | America the Beautiful Senior or Access Pass cardholders may receive a 50% discount off the camping fee only. 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. |
| 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 Buena Vista travel south on Highway 285 for approximately 7 miles then turn right on County Road 162 and travel west, passing the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort (private), for 8.5 miles to the campground.
Accessibility:
Two restrooms are universally accessible.
Parking:
Parking is limited to the parking spurs provided with each campsite.
General Notes:
Mount Princeton 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
Mt. Princeton is a small campground with 17 campsites. Some of the sites have tent pads and all sites have a picnic table and fire ring.
No showers or electrical hookup are available. Potable water is available from a hand pump.
River and Stream Fishing
Fishing is available in Chalk Creek. The best fishing is west of Cascade campground which is located 2 miles west of Mt. Princeton campground. Fishing is also available at Chalk Lake.
Day Hiking
OHV Road Riding
There is abundant OHV riding near Mt. Princeton campground. ATV's and unlicensed off-road vehicles are not permitted on County Road 162 so riders must trailer their vehicles to designated OHV trailheads.
Popular rides include: Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, Hancock Lakes and Williams Pass (open during the month of August). Visitors should purchase a San Isabel National Forest map which shows the various roads in the Chalk Creek area. Maps are available at the Salida Ranger District office, 325 W. Rainbow Blvd., Salida, CO, 81201
Location