Jefferson Creek
Campers looking for a pleasant fishing destination with great mountain views will enjoy camping at Jefferson Creek. The campground is located a short drive or hike from Jefferson Lake. The lake is one of the highest elevation lakes around, capping 10,685 feet elevation and bordered by steep 12,000 foot peaks.
Fishing in both the creek and lake offer promising catches of trout. Another noteworthy aspect of the campground is its access to the Colorado Trail.
Jefferson Campground offers nearly 20 reservable campsites. Parking aprons are gravel and the max RV length 25 feet. Amenities include picnic tables, vault toilets, drinking water and campfire rings.
Need to Know
Alert for Reservation Holders: There is a one-time fee of $10.00 to enter Jefferson Lake Recreation Area in which your campground is located. You will only have to pay this fee once for the duration of your stay.
- Please note it is difficult to access Jefferson Lake Recreation Area during the winter months; the roads to this site are not maintained for snow throughout the winter
- 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 RV hookups are available. Also, No pay phones are available.
- 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. Firewood is available to purchase on site, depending on any fire ban. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
The use, sale, and possession of all forms of cannabis in the United States is illegal under federal law on federal land.
Shooting of any type is prohibited in the campground and Jefferson Lake Recreation Area
- ATV's and off road vehicles are prohibited in the campground and Jefferson Lake Recreation Area
Dogs must be on a leash or tethered at all times.
Reservations are available up to 5 days prior to arrival date. Sites not reserved 5 days before become ‘walk-up’ and are available on a ‘first come - first serve’ bases.
Check-out time is 12:00pm. Check-in time is 2:00pm
Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $10.00 for a third vehicle. $10.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight.
Firewood is available for sale at host site for $10.00/bundle.
Natural Features
Jefferson Creek Campground extends along a ridge looking over Jefferson Creek. The high elevation campground sits at 10,100 feet altitude with surroundings of mixed conifers. It is a mile from Jefferson Lake, a182-acre lake with deep, cold waters that freezes over in winter.
Nearby Attractions
Visitors enjoy Fairplay, Colorado, a ghost town that was once a frontier boom town. The South Park City Museum contains 34 authentic buildings with 60,000 artifacts.
Recreation
Two trails can be accessed near the campground. The best hiking, biking and horseback riding experience is on the epic Colorado Trail, a 471-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. The other is the West Jefferson Loop Trail, a foot path that extends for 11 miles to the Continental Divide.
Rainbow, brown, mackinaw and brook trout can be found swimming in the creek and lake. Motorized boating is allowed in Jefferson Lake, but it is a no-wake lake.
Changes & Cancellations
Cancellations
Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
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.
Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
No-Shows
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.
No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.
Refunds
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.
Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.
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.
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.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 74 Lake George CO 80827
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From US Highway 285 at Jefferson, Colorado, take County Road 35 north to County Road 37 and turn right. Pay the user fee at Jefferson Lake Recreation Area entrance station and continue on the road to the campground.
Available Campsites
- Site 016, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop JEFFERSON CREEK, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
