Cold Springs - Arapaho Roosevelt Nf (CO)

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee Ng

Cold Springs Campground is located on the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest, north of Blackhawk on the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway/Highway 119, in north central Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its scenic and off-road driving, and nearby hiking and fishing opportunities.

There are 38 sites in the campground. Sites 1 through 5 are pull-over's with wooden retaining walls. You climb several steps to reach the picnic tables, fire rings and tent pads. These sites are not suitable for RVs with slide-outs. Sites 9 & 11 are pull-over's which also will not accommodate large RVs or slide-outs.

Each site has a picnic table and fire ring or grate. The maximum vehicle length that can be accommodated is 40 feet. Most sites are shaded and the interior roads are gravel. Water hydrants, tent pads, vault toilets and trash service are provided. There is a playground for small children.

Notifications and Alerts

• Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect. Fires are still allowed inside the designated fire rings within the campground. 

  The following acts are prohibited in the Restricted Area and on the Restricted Roads and Trails:

  • Igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites campgrounds and picnic areas.
  • No discharging of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices outside of incorporated city limits (city-specific restrictions may apply). 
  • No shooting of exploding targets or tracer ammunition. 
  • Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
  • Operating a chainsaw without an effective and properly installed USDA- or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)- approved spark arrestor, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) kept with the operator, and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use.
  • Blasting, welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame without being in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and keeping a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) with the operator.

Need to Know

• No RV water connections are available.
• This is bear country! For bear and human safety, keep a clean campsite and do not place food or other attractants in your tent. For more information about visiting bear country, contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife at http://wildlife.state.co.us
• Sites 1-5, 9 and 10 will not accommodate RVs with slide-outs
• Utility hookups are not available
• The campground has limited first-come, first-served sites
• Click here for more information on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest
• Operated by American Land & Leisure. You may contact us at www.AmericanLL.com or 801-226-3564.
• Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

• You must stay on the site you reserved. This is a busy place and site swapping is not allowed.

Natural Features

The campground is located in a mountainside aspen and lodgepole pine forest, at an elevation of 9,200 feet.

Nearby Attractions

The historic mining town of Central City is nearby. Popular events held in the town include Lou Bunch Day and the Central City Opera and Jazz festivals.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is just seven miles away. The scenic park offers over 35 miles of hiking trails. Mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed on some trails. Every stream and pond in the park is open to fishing.

Recreation

The surrounding area has many great hiking trails. There is an easy hiking trail out of the campground for families with small children. In addition, the short, but steep Vista Trail climbs just a quarter-mile but rewards hikers with spectacular views of the vast Mount Evans Wilderness Area and valley below.

Scenic driving is available along Highways 119 and 72, known as the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Numerous creeks, rivers and lakes in the area provide fishing opportunities. Off-road enthusiasts will find many jeep roads in the vicinity.

Contact Information

Default

PO BOX 3307 IDAHO SPRINGS CO 80452

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 801-226-3564

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Interstate 25 in Denver, go west on 6th Avenue to State Highway 6, through Clear Creek Canyon. Turn onto State Highway 119, heading toward Black Hawk and Central City. Follow the highway approx. 5 miles north of Black Hawk, to the campground.

Available Campsites

• Site 023, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop COLD, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop COLD, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop COLD, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop COLD, Type Tent Only Nonelectric

Photo Gallery