La Vista Campground - Lake Isabel
La Vista Campground is situated in a meadow overlooking the west side of the 40-acre Lake Isabel. It is set along the Frontier Pathways and Historic Byway in the Wet Mountains along one of the Colorado Birding Trails.Lake Isabel is one of the few lakes in Colorado developed purely for recreation purposes. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the lake attracts many campers who come to hike, canoe, fish and spend time bird watching. St. Charles Creek flows near the campground and offers additional fishing opportunities.
Walk-in tent sites are 15 to 50 yards from the parking spurs. RV sites come with electric hookups and all sites include a picnic table, campfire ring and access to vault toilets and drinking water.
Notifications and Alerts
- Stage 2 fire restrictions are currently in effect that prohibit all fires. Generators and fires or stoves that use liquid petroleum (LPG) fuels are permitted, but must follow specific rules.
Need to Know
- Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
- This is a high elevation facility, please use caution when traveling from lower elevations
- A $5 nightly fee is charged for extra vehicles
- This facility also has first-come, first-served sites
- No firearms or fireworks
- For more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests, click here
- 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.
- Due to the remoteness of the campground, real time information is not available, please call the San Carlos Ranger District for other information at (719) 269-8500.
Natural Features
Shady pine and aspen trees are scattered throughout the campground. At 8,600 feet, the area enjoys cool summer days, a welcome relief from the heat in the plains far below.
The Pike and San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.
Nearby Attractions
A nearby lodge provides paddle and rowboat rentals, groceries and a restaurant. Golf courses are about 15 minutes away.
Recreation
Lake Isabel welcomes non-motorized boating and fishing. Brown and brook trout are stocked in the lake and the St. Charles headwaters reap brook trout.
Visitors can enjoy hiking, bicycling or motorcycling on either the Snow Slide Trail and Cisneros Trail. The 15-mile Cisneros Trail, also open to ATV riders, leads to the heart of the Wet Mountains, through forests and open, wildflower speckled valleys. Along the way, the trail connects to St. Charles Trail, which heads to St. Charles Peak.
Contact Information
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SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT 3028 EAST MAIN STREET Canon City CO 81212
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: FOR RESERVATIONS CALL 877-444-6777, FOR NON REAL TIME CAMPGROUND INFORMATION, CALL (719) 269-8500.
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Pueblo, go 25 miles south on Interstate 25 to exit 74. Drive west 18 miles on State Highway 165. Turn into the main entrance at Lake Isabel Recreation Area, then turn right into the first campground on the right (about 1.25 miles).
Available Campsites
- Site 002, Loop VIST, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 023, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 001, Loop VIST, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop WALKIN 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 016, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 010, Loop WALKIN 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 025, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 028, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 007, Loop WALKIN 2, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop WALKIN 1, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop WALKIN 2, Type Standard Electric
- Site 029, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 006, Loop VIST, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop VIST, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop WALKIN 2, Type Standard Electric
- Site 011, Loop LAKE, Type Rv Electric
- Site 004, Loop VIST, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop WALKIN 2, Type Standard Electric
- Site 021, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 019, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 015, Loop LAKE, Type Rv Electric
- Site 012, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 027, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 020, Loop LAKE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 003, Loop VIST, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop WALKIN 2, Type Standard Electric
