Top Camping Destinations Near Smeltertown, CO: Explore Nature's Best Getaways
Nestled in the stunning landscapes of southern Colorado, Smeltertown offers an array of camping options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking an authentic Rocky Mountain experience. Just a short drive from the scenic San Juan Mountains, visitors can enjoy popular RV camping sites equipped with essential amenities at nearby campgrounds like the Animas River Campground, where the soothing sounds of flowing water enhance the relaxing ambiance. For those preferring a more rustic experience, tent camping is abundant in the region, with well-maintained sites in the picturesque Vallecito Reservoir area that boasts hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and breathtaking views of vibrant alpine flora. Adventure-seekers can also explore dispersed camping options in the surrounding National Forest, where open skies and starry nights provide the perfect backdrop for stargazing. With its diverse geography, ranging from lush valleys to rugged mountains, Smeltertown offers a unique blend of relaxation and exploration. Whether you’re traveling in an RV, pitching a tent, or embracing the wilderness through dispersed camping, Smeltertown is a gateway to unforgettable outdoor experiences in the heart of Colorado.

















Salida East Campground is part of Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Colorado (2 hrs 11 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 6,983 feet. There are a total of 25 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, picnic table, restroom. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Hecla Junction Campground is part of Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Colorado (2 hrs 14 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 7,471 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 23 and 83 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, restroom. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Point Barr Campground is part of Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Colorado (2 hrs 21 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 6,787 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites. The campground is open all year. Max equipment length is 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Rincon Campground is part of Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Colorado (2 hrs 3 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 6,766 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 75 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, picnic table, restroom. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Ohaver Lake Campground is located in the Salida Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (2 hrs 33 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 9,204 feet. There are a total of 32 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 29 sites can accommodate RVs between 26 and 145 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $24.00 to $46.00. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Angel Of Shavano Group is located in the Salida Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (2 hrs 29 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 9,140 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid September. Prices start at $137.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, floating sports.
Bassam Guard Station is located in the Salida Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (2 hrs 6 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 9,741 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to the end of November. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, floating sports.
Ruby Mountain Campground is part of Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Colorado (2 hrs 3 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 7,692 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites including 6 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 16 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 21 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, restroom, amphitheater. Activities include ohv trails nearby, fishing, floating sports.
Mount Princeton Campground is located in the Salida Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (2 hrs 12 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 8,591 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 58 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $24.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Chalk Lake Campground is located in the Salida Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (2 hrs 12 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 8,755 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites including 7 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 12 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 62 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $24.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Cascade Campground is located in the Salida Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (2 hrs 13 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 9,039 feet. There are a total of 21 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 22 and 73 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $24.00 per night. Activities include biking, ohv trails nearby, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, rock climbing.
Vallie Bridge Campground is part of Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Colorado (1 hr 29 min west of Pueblo, CO) with an elevation of 6,516 feet. There are a total of 16 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. Max equipment length is 25 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, restroom. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Monarch Park Campground is located in the Salida Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (2 hrs 34 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 10,498 feet. There are a total of 35 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of June to mid September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 56 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $22.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Brewery Creek Guard Station in Saguache County is located 2 hrs 41 min west of Pueblo, CO with an elevation of 9,476 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid November. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Collegiate Peaks Campground is located in the Salida Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (2 hrs 12 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 9,867 feet. There are a total of 56 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 22 and 62 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $22.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Railroad Bridge Campground is part of Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Colorado (2 hrs 10 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 8,274 feet. There are a total of 14 campsites including 6 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 8 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 38 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, restroom. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Five Points Campground is part of Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Colorado (1 hr 31 min southwest of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 5,963 feet. There are a total of 20 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 23 and 71 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Buffalo Springs Campground is located in the South Park Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (1 hr 48 min southwest of Littleton, CO) with an elevation of 9,189 feet. There are a total of 17 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 16 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 14 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Lakeview Gunnison Campground is located in the Gunnison Ranger District, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (2 hrs 52 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 9,571 feet. There are a total of 48 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid June to the end of September. 42 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 9 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $34.00. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Cross Creek Campground is part of Eleven Mile State Park in Colorado (1 hr 28 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 8,588 feet. There are a total of 7 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 60 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, water skiing.
Dawson Cabin is located in the Leadville Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (2 hrs 14 min southwest of Lakewood, CO) with an elevation of 9,524 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to the end of October. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Lazy Boy Campground is part of Eleven Mile State Park in Colorado (1 hr 35 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 8,600 feet. There are a total of 14 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 45 and 85 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing.
Lottis Creek Campground is located in the Gunnison Ranger District, Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (2 hrs 58 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 9,073 feet. There are a total of 48 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of June to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 14 and 107 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. 1 site has electric and water hookups. 40 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $24.00 to $240.00. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, trash dumpster.
Witchers Cove Campground is part of Eleven Mile State Park in Colorado (1 hr 31 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 8,589 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 40 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing.
Rocking Chair Campground is part of Eleven Mile State Park in Colorado (1 hr 35 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 8,600 feet. There are a total of 13 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 40 and 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing.
Howbert Point Campground is part of Eleven Mile State Park in Colorado (1 hr 33 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 8,576 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 50 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing.
Crescent Mining Camp is located in the Leadville Ranger District, Pike and San Isabel National Forests (2 hrs 27 min southwest of Lakewood, CO) with an elevation of 10,105 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to the end of October. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Upper Crossing Guard Station in Saguache County is located 2 hrs 55 min west of Pueblo, CO with an elevation of 8,423 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $75.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Stoll Mountain Campground is part of Eleven Mile State Park in Colorado (1 hr 23 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 8,577 feet. There are a total of 24 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 120 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing.
BackCountry Campground is part of Eleven Mile State Park in Colorado (1 hr 19 min west of Colorado Springs, CO) with an elevation of 8,650 feet. There are a total of 14 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom. Activities include hiking trails.