Painted Rocks

PAINTED ROCKS

Part of Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

Overview

Painted Rocks Campground is located a short distance from Manitou Lake Picnic Area and the Centennial Bike Trail in central Colorado. The rustic campground is named for the sandstone outcroppings in the area that resemble colorful streaks from an artist's paintbrush.

Facilities

The campground offers single-family sites on two loops. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.

Natural Features

The campground is nestled on the edge of a grassy meadow at an elevation of 7,800 feet. Most sites on the west loop are shaded by ponderosa pines, while sites on the east loop are more open and less shady.

Recreation

The paved, accessible Centennial Bike Trail is a half-mile from the campground. It connects to nearby Colorado and South Meadows Campgrounds, and leads to 5-acre Manitou Lake. Visitors enjoy riding bicycles on this trail to Manitou Lake for fishing and bird watching. Waterfowl and songbirds are often seen in the area.

The nearby Rainbow Falls OHV Trail System and North Divide OHV Trail System are recommended for off-road vehicle enthusiasts.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Woodland Park is located approximately 7 1/2 miles south of Painted Rocks Campground, where campers can find gas, groceries, dining and shopping. Colorado Springs is about 30 miles southeast of the campground and offers many services. Garden of the Gods is a popular attraction just outside of town. This free City of Colorado Springs park offers hiking trails, rock climbing routes, a visitor center and cafe. Pikes Peak lies west of Manitou Springs, which is about 25 miles from the campground. Visitors can hike, bike, or drive to the summit of this beautiful mountain.

Important Notices

  • • Check-In time is 2 p.m. and check-out time is 12 p.m.

    • SPECIAL NOTE: Colorado State regulations prohibit attaching hoses to hydrants to fill RV’s. Please come prepared.

    • For cancellations before arrival, call reservations at 877-444-6777 (Toll-Free), 606-515-6777 (International), or 877-833-6777 (TDD) from 10 a.m. -- 12 p.m. (Eastern Time Zone)  

    • Please check-in with host upon arrival. 

    • RV or trailers over 36 feet will have a very tough time making it through the campground because of tight corners and trees.

    • All vehicles including campers must fit in parking spur (not on grass) without blocking road.

    • Do not feed the wildlife. This includes bird feeders of any kind.  

    • Don’t Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.  

    • 10 mph speed limit in all campgrounds and day use areas. 

    • Discharging any weapon is prohibited including paintballs, bow & arrow, BB guns, airsoft guns. Fireworks and explosives are prohibited. Target shooting is prohibited.

    • Thunderstorms are common; take extra precautions for lightning.

    • 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.

    • No hookups available.

    • No horses allowed. 

    • ATVs prohibited. 

    • Click here for more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests.

    • USE OF DRONES PROHIBITED.

  • Two vehicles or one RV/Trailer with tow vehicle per site is included in the camping fee. $11.00 for a third vehicle. 

  • Firewood is available for sale at host site for $10.00/bundle.

Notifications and Alerts

  • PIKE-SAN ISABEL NATIONAL FORESTS & CIMARRON AND COMANCHE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS 

    STAGE 1 FIRE PROHIBITIONS  

    PROHIBITIONS

    Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) in the Leadville, Salida, San Carlos, Pikes Peak, South Park and South Platte Ranger Districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, hereinafter referred to as the “Described Area”:

    • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in 

      • A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas); 

      • A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or

      • A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device. 36 CFR § 261.52(a).

    • Using an explosive. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b)

    • Smoking is prohibited, 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. 36 CFR § 261.52(d)

    • Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 36 CFR § 261.52(h)

    EXEMPTIONS

    Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

    • Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

    • Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting service in the performance of an official duty.

    DESCRIBED AREA

    All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the Pikes Peak, South Platte, South Park, Leadville, Salida and San Carlos Ranger Districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, as depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A of this Order.

    PURPOSE

    The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.

    IMPLEMENTATION

    • This Order shall be in effect from August 21, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. through August November 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded.

Available Activities

  • HIKING - Hiking
  • FISHING - Fishing
  • CAMPING - Camping
  • BOATING - Canoeing
  • BIKING - Mountain Biking

Directions

From the I-25 and Highway 24 intersection in Colorado Springs, Colorado, travel west on Highway 24 for about 18 miles to the junction with Highway 67 in Woodland Park. Turn right (north) on Highway 67 and drive about 7 miles to Painted Rocks Road and turn left (west). Take the gravel road about 1/2 mile to campground entrance on the left.

Cancellation Policy

<p>Cancellations</p> <p>Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. </p> <p>A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite.</p> <p>Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.</p> <p>No-Shows</p> <p>A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.</p> <p>No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.  </p> <p>Refunds</p> <p>Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended.</p> <p>Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.</p> <p>For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. </p> <p>In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 719-636-1602 (INFORMATION ONLY, NO RESERVATIONS TAKEN AT THIS NUMBER)

PIKES PEAK RANGER DISTRICT
601 S. WEBER ST.
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80903

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