Ansel Watrous Campground, Bellvue, CO

Ansel Watrous Campground is located in the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (41 min northwest of Fort Collins, CO) with an elevation of 5,800 feet. There are a total of 17 campsites. The campground is open all year. 13 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 33 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. There is a fee of $25.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.

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Campsite Reviews (85)

4.5 out of 5

5 star		69%
4 star		19%
3 star		6%
2 star		0%
1 star		4%

@JosephC1997223 · Camped on Aug 28, 2024 at Campsite #6

Great campground! Clean and next to the river. Downside, Noisy highway traffic, especially motorcycles. Apparently there is no law enforcement on the highway to curb the speeding.Another downer, the mens toilet was locked and no signage to point this out.All-in-all, it was a good experience. My wife and I had camped there years ago. We plan on visiting again before cold weather hits.

@NicoleD1279157 · Camped on Aug 5, 2024 at Campsite #4

Quite a few steps down to the river from this site. Not much of a beach off the river. Lots of large boulders along the river bed. Sites 3 and 5 had areas clear to sit in the water.

@MarkW2201412 · Camped on Jul 16, 2024 at Campsite #5

Very clean and peaceful campground right next to the river. Sleep with the river as your music

@PeterR5227973 · Camped on Jun 26, 2024 at Campsite #5

Great spot for Mishwaka concert!

@SarahW8627049 · Camped on Jun 19, 2024 at Campsite #15

Campground is well maintained and bathrooms are clean

@Elizabeth29438 · Camped on Jun 13, 2024 at Campsite #16

I would love it if Colorado residents would be allowed to reserve sights prior to the m being opened to the rest of the world.

@ToddR1327438 · Camped on Jun 11, 2024 at Campsite #7

So I go here every year, it's a great campground. I try to get something in the upper lot as it has much better shading/trees than the lower one. Very scenic, tranquil and clean.

@LorenaF3561409 · Camped on May 27, 2024 at Campsite #14

Loved this spot! It was super private and secluded from the others! It had its own little shaded and wooded space down by the river that was perfect for fishing! This spot is full sun almost the whole day fyi so bring a pop up tent!

@CharlesH720196 · Camped on May 27, 2024 at Campsite #6

The sound of the river is wonderful! It drowns out much of the noise from other campers. The bathrooms this year are so much cleaner than last year. We have very much enjoyed our experiences at Ansel Watrous.

@TheresaK315269 · Camped on May 21, 2024 at Campsite #16

Very nice, small campground. Right on the river, its very scenic. Hiking trails are a short drive down the canyon.

@LaurenR3836852 · Camped on May 10, 2024 at Campsite #15

We had a great spot (within walking distance to the Poudre). Lots of rafting, kayaking and tours happening on the Poudre. The street by this campground has a lot of loud traffic (motorcycles, people honking to be jerks, etc.). There was also a lot of cars that entered the campground and then left (probably looking for first come first serve spots). I think this was the biggest negative was the noise of the traffic. Clean bathrooms, but they don't have lights so take your flashlight. Service was good (we have Google Fi). Since we went early in the season, it did get chilly at night.It was a busy campground and most spots were booked up. Overall, a good area and experience.

@JeffB8180041 · Camped on May 10, 2024 at Campsite #8

Very nice spot. The walk-up sites are well marked; the parking is good. Vault toilets were clean but it didn't look like there was a lot of cleaning of the sites. The fire pits for example were nearly full of ash and in one site there was a lot of junk that a camper had left the day before. But, I would go back again in a heartbeat!

@JessicaP263047 · Camped on May 3, 2024 at Campsite #16

Our family loves this campground and we kick off our camping season nearly every year. Its always clean and well maintained. Its right across from a wonderful hiking trail. These are perfect river side sites.

@DustinT1613239 · Camped on May 3, 2024 at Campsite #7

10/10 Perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Close to fresh water, bathrooms, Young Gulch, listening to the Poudre and waiving at white water rafters. Lots of shade.

@CraigE2678952 · Camped on Oct 23, 2023 at Campsite #3

Nice campground, next to a nice stretch of the Cache la Poudre river, but highway noise detracts from the setting. But the campground stays open year round, so it's great for a end of season camping trip.

@CharlesH720196 · Camped on Oct 2, 2023 at Campsite #5

Very Good place to camp. The noise from the flowing Poudre river is soothing.

@KeithM1093EDD2 · Camped on Sep 21, 2023 at Campsite #17

Beautiful location and friendly staff working the campground occupancies.

@ArmandoL176016 · Camped on Sep 6, 2023 at Campsite #1

I understand this isn't simple and easy, but the lack of a dump station and fresh water for an RV is tough to manage. It would be a very welcome feature for the campground.

@AmandaABCD7E42 · Camped on Aug 22, 2023 at Campsite #16

Not enough privacy but enjoyed being so close to the river. Our kids took awhile to fall asleep because the river is pretty loud when everything else is quiet at night. All in all we had a great time.

@BevB1E557DAD7C · Camped on Aug 15, 2023 at Campsite #7

We love Ansel Watruous but it was quite hot in August!

@LizabethK3BBB7 · Camped on Aug 13, 2023 at Campsite #2

Love this campsite and Pam and Jesse are the BEST hosts.

@JenniferL39143 · Camped on Jul 17, 2023 at Campsite #14

Camp hosts were super nice, they checked and cleaned the out houses daily. Fresh well water, beautiful riverfront sites

@AliciaF1F05947 · Camped on Jul 4, 2023 at Campsite #15

Campsite seriously floods in the rain, absolutely needs a draining area to keep the rain out of the tent.

@christian4B247 · Camped on Jul 3, 2023 at Campsite #16

Beautiful location on the river. Close to Fort Collins and The Mish! Great hiking, loved watching the rafters shoot down the river! Easily got our 25 foot airstream into the site and campground. The hairpin turn listed in the description was no issue. Hike Hewlett Gulch trail just down the road. Had a few beers and saw a free band at Mishawaka Amphitheater. If you drive into Fort Collins get some coffee at Harbringer and chocolate at Nuance, both in Old Town.

@LizabethK3BBB7 · Camped on Jul 2, 2023 at Campsite #1

The campground hosts are great.

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