Camping near Walden and Gould, CO

The North Park region of Jackson County centered around its county seat, Walden, makes a terrific camping destination. The Great Outdoors surround in all directions with numerous campsites to choose from nearby great lakes, mountains, and forests.

This high alpine basin is perfect for those looking to get away from the crowds. The Roosevelt National Forest is accessible throughout North Park, as well as portions of the Routt National Forest in the western part of Jackson Co.

Outdoorsmen will find a paradise of places to discover here, from a myriad of lakes and rivers to fish, to abundant native wildlife. North Park is the moose capital of Colorado, so keep your eyes peeled for this majestic mammal.

List of campgrounds near Walden, Gould and Cowdrey, CO, in order of proximity:

Camping near Walden

Situated just east of the continental divide at 8100′, wonderful Walden is the only incorporated town in the vast 600-square foot Jackson County. It’s the only real town with any substantial facilities. It has a few restaurants to sit and enjoy the quiet, friendly streets.

North Parkers, as the area’s locals are called, welcome visitors to their unique slice of paradise. There is one small RV park in town, as well as a myriad of campgrounds in all directions from town.

Granite Corner RV Park

This is the most centrally located campground if you want to be close to town. Located only a few minutes walk to downtown, Granite Corner RV Park is a family-run campground in the heart of town. They feature 3 wide open campsites suitable for large RVs, as well as a two additional more secluded sites.

• Closest town: Walden (<1mi)
• Specs: 3 sites with 100-foot pull-thrus, 2 smaller sites; reservable
• Amenities: Electric hookup, WiFi
• Address: 588 G St, Walden, CO 80480

Camping near Gould

There’s not much to the community of Gould, but situated at the forest’s edge, there’s a lot to do and see. Around 600 people reside in Gould, about the same number as Walden, although the latter is the only one that resembles a substantial town. Gould is the gateway to State Forest State Park, located along Highway 14, the Cache La Poudre Byway, connecting Fort Collins and Walden.

Aspen Campground

This campground sits at 9,200 feet. The afternoon breezes and occasional summer thunderstorms add a bit of melancholy adventure to your stay. A perfect getaway to fish, hike, or just enjoy the scenic wilderness in a laid back setting.

• Closest town: Gould (<1mi), Walden (22mi)
• Specs: 7 tent-only sites, water, vault toilet, open May to September; first-come, first-serve
• Amenities:  Near the South Fork of the Michigan River
• Address: Forest Service Road 741 1A, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)

North Park Campground

This campground was completely renovated during the summer of 2020. Easy access directly off a well-maintained county road makes this a popular campground during the active summer months. Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing, and wildlife photography are all popular activities in this area.

• Closest town: Gould (1mi), Walden (19mi)
• Specs: 29 sites, water, flush toilet, open June 1 – Labor Day; reservable
• Amenities: Camper Services building, showers, laundry, 7 basic cabins, 2 deluxe cabins
• Address: County Road 41, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)

Pines Campground

This lightly used campground offers only bare amenities with horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing in nearby ponds, streams, and on the South Fork of the Michigan River are the favorite activities. Off-road vehicle trails are near the campground.

• Closest town: Gould (3mi), Walden (25mi)
• Specs: 11 sites, water, vault toilet, open late May to Labor Day; first-come, first-serve
• Amenities:  South Fork of the Michigan River just south of the campground.
• Address: Forest Road 740, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)

State Forest State Park Campgrounds

This is Colorado’s largest state park and home to an abundance of outdoor recreation. From 4×4 roads and backcountry camping, to lakefront real estate in the form of campsites and cabins, State Forest State Park is a splendid place to visit and stay. Campgrounds include North Michigan, The Crags, Bockman, Ranger Lakes, Primitive Campsites and the Backcountry Camping. Reserve your state park campsite as far as 6 months in advance.

North Michigan Campground – State Forest State Park

This campground is divided into two sections, the north, and south side. It features easy access to the North Michigan Reservoir with a pair of boat ramps. Wakeless speeds are only allowed on the reservoir, no swimming is allowed.

• Closest town: Gould (4mi), Walden (22mi)
• Specs: 38 sites, 25 South, 13 North, water, vault toilet, open June 1-Labor Day; reservable
• Amenities:  2 boat ramps, 6 cabins at the North campground
• Address: County Road 41, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)

Primitive Campsites – State Forest State Park

It’s a hike or a rough drive over challenging terrain to reach the primitive campsites doting this back country area.  Some have toilets, many do not and hauling your own water, or filtering stream water is your best option. Hiking is tremendous in these isolated areas, with abundant wildlife and the joys of being alone for miles as you fish.

• Closest town: Gould (6mi), Walden (16mi)
• Specs: 40+ primitive, backcountry campsites in the area, no water, some have vault toilets, open year-round; reservable
• Address: 56750 Colorado Highway 14, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)

Backcountry Camping – State Forest State Park

Those interested in doing some overnight backpacking in State Forest State Park can camp at a number of locations near the trails. You must stop by the Visitor Center prior to heading out into the state park’s backcountry. Some popular backcountry campsites include near American, Clear, Jewel, Kelly, and Ruby lakes. It’s not allowed by Lake Agnes.

• Closest town: Gould (6mi), Walden (16mi)
• Address: Colorado Highway 14, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)
• Directions: Follow directions to State Forest State Park visitor center.

Bockman Campground – State Forest State Park

Just a mile north of North Michigan Reservoir this is a popular are for horseback riding complete with a horse corral located near the pull through site area.  Hiking, fishing and wildlife photography are popular activities at this heavily used campground.

• Closest town: Gould (6mi), Walden (24mi)
• Specs: 52 sites, water, vault toilet, open June 1 – Labor Day; reservable
• Amenities:  Group site, horse corral, 6 pull-through sites
• Address: County Road 41, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)

Ranger Lakes Campground – State Forest State Park

Easy access from Colorado Highway 14 makes this a popular summer destination. The Ranger Lakes fishing area is popular with anglers. A pier with access for people with disabilities provides fishing opportunities for everyone. A nature trail and interpretive programs are offered throughout the summer at the amphitheater. The Gould Loop Trail is near the campground.

• Closest town: Gould (7mi), Walden (25mi)
• Specs: 32 sites, water, vault toilet, open June 1-Labor Day; reservable
• Amenities: Fishing pier, amphitheater
• Address: Colorado Highway 14, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)

The Crags Campground – State Forest State Park

The road leading to The Crags Campground is skinny, steep and winding, so it’s best for tent campers only. Trailers and motorhomes will have a difficult time accessing it. It’s located within State Forest State Park on the southern end.

• Closest town: Gould (8mi), Walden (29mi)
• Specs: 26 sites for tent camping; reservable
• Amenities: Vault toilets, hand pumped water
• Address: County Road 62, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)

Camping near Cowdrey

Cowdrey is the northern most community in Jackson County with an estimated population of just 26. Home to a post office and little else, Cowdrey is 9 miles north of Walden. The Cowdrey Reservoir is situated only a few minutes drive southwest of town. There are several places to camp west of town in the national forest or BLM land.

North Sand Hills Recreation Site

If you’re into off-road vehicles and the challenge of playing in the sand, this is the place for you. The only OHV sand recreation area in all of Colorado its 1400 acres of open space are perfect for the sand enthusiast. A trail system winds through aspen and sagebrush before reaching the open sand dunes. This area is operated by the Bureau of Land Management.

• Closest town: Cowdrey (7mi), Walden (16mi)
• Specs: Primitive camping, no sites, no water, no toilets, open year-round; first-come, first-serve
• Amenities: Sand dunes
• Address: Jcr 6e, Cowdrey, CO 80434 (Map)

Big Creek Lake Campground

Fishing, boating, hiking, and sightseeing await the camper at Colorado’s second-largest natural lake. Fisherman can try their luck at catching Kokanee salmon, muskie, grayling and trout. An abundance of wildlife include moose and elk are in the area. Pay attention to boating regulations, motorized craft are allowed in some areas, but not in others.

• Closest town: Cowdrey (24mi), Walden (33mi)
• Specs: 54 campsites, water, vault toilet, open June 1 to September 15; reservable and first-come, first-serve
• Amenities:  Two boat ramps, campground host
• Address: County Road 6A, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)

Beaver Creek Campground

This little-used trailhead has an ample parking lot for horse trailers and might just be the perfect spot to enjoy the Colorado wilderness without all the traffic and noise of more heavily used sites. Campsites are numerous, but undeveloped along the trail. Stump Park is a popular location to set up camp on this trail. Go deep enough into the backcountry and you’ll cross over the timberline.  This is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out area.

• Closest town: Cowdrey (24mi), Walden (34mi)
• Specs: Primitive camping, no established sites, no water, no toilet, open Memorial Day to Labor Day; first-come, first-serve
• Address: County Road 6C, Walden, CO 80480 (Map)

Helena Campground

This primitive area is at the trailhead of the motorized Grizzly-Helena Trail. Located in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness, campers should not that no toilets, water are available and no fires are permitted.  The tent only camping sites are at the discretion of the camper but pack-in, pack-in practices are in place.

• Closest town: Cowdrey (28mi), Walden (37mi)
• Specs: No formal campsites, primitive camping, no water, no toilets, first-come, first-serve
• Address: Walden, Co 80480 (Map)

Camping near Coalmont

There’s really nothing to the actual town of Coalmont, as it’s basically a ghost town. There’s an old schoolhouse you can visit, other than that though, Coalmont is all nature. There are several campgrounds in the national forest west of this former town.

Grizzly Creek Campground

Grizzly Creek has all the amenities of a larger RV park with the quaintness of a small location. Swimming, fishing for steelhead, and Kokanee salmon are popular on the many small lakes, ponds, and streams nearby. It is a popular place for day-trippers and overnight guests.

• Closest town: Coalmont (12mi), Walden (24mi)
• Specs: 28 sites, water, restrooms, first-come, first-serve
• Amenities: Laundry, playground, showers, general store
• Address: County Road 24, Coalmont, CO 80430 (Map)

Teal Lake Campground

This area has been heavily infested with pine beetles and has a lot of standing dead trees. Logging has cleared a lot of the damage and regrowth is occurring. Teal Lake allows only electric or non-motorized boats and has a boat ramp on the north shore.  The campground is arranged in a wide loop for easy RV access.

• Closest town: C0almont (12mi), Walden (26mi)
• Specs: 17 sites, water, vault toilet, open Memorial Day to Labor Day; reservable and first-come, first-serve
• Amenities: Group campsite close to Teal Lake, boat ramp
• Address: Forest Road 615, Coalmont, CO 80430 (Map)

Hidden Lakes Campground

Many of the mature trees have been removed after mountain pine beetle infestation but the lake remains. Non-motorized boating, fishing, and hiking are the primary recreation at this heavily used campground. Off-road enthusiasts enjoy the trails near the campground as well.

• Closest town: Coalmont (15mi), Walden (29mi)
• Specs: 9 sties, water, vault toilet, open Memorial Day to Labor Day; first-come, first-serve
• Address: County Road 45, Coalmont, CO 80430 (Map)

Dumont Lake Campground

Spectacular scenery, excellent fly and spinner fishing, abundant birds, and wildlife make this campground a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking, biking and rock climbing are available in the pristine area. The Rabbit Ears Trail is just two miles from the campground. Boating is restricted to non-motorized or electric motors only.

• Closest town: Coalmont (25mi), Walden (39mi)
• Specs: 22 sites, water, vault toilet, open early July to late October; reservable
• Amenities: Pull through sites, nearby lakes, and streams
• Address: Forest Road 311, Walden, CO 80430 (Map)

Consider Steamboat Springs or Red Feather Lakes

Steamboat Springs sits a good one hour west of Walden. If you have a 4×4 you can tackle Buffalo Pass to reach Steamboat, or vice-versa to Walden. Otherwise, it’s south then west on Highway 40 via Rabbit Ears Pass. Steamboat is a whole lot bigger than Walden at around 14,000 people, so you’ll find plenty of things to do aimed the visiting tourists. There a lot of special places to camp near Steamboat Springs.

Nestled between Walden and Fort Collins, Red Feather Lakes lies secluded several miles north of Highway 14. There are numerous bodies of water to enjoy, with ample places to camp near Red Feather Lakes. Or you can rent a lakeside cabin. The village is mainly a summer escape for those living and visiting the northern Colorado front range.

That’s a roundup of the best places to camp around North Park, Colorado, including the closest campgrounds to Walden, Gould, Cowdrey and Coalmont. Enjoy your time and leave no trace.