Campgrounds

IMPORTANT NOTICES FOR 2025:

Carter Lake camping: Due to anticipated site improvements and road construction projects that commence in 2025, the following campgrounds will be temporarily impacted.

  • Eagle Campground: Starting Jan. 1, 2025, sites will only be available for walk-in reservations, subject to availability. Reservations can be made in our office on a first-come first-served basis. For questions, call (970) 619-4570.
  • North Pines and Big Thompson Campgrounds: Starting Apr. 1, 2025, sites will only be available for walk-in reservations subject to availability. Reservations can be made in our office on a first-come first-served basis. For questions, call (970) 619-4570.
Make a Reservation online or call 1-800-397-7795

Three kids stand at a campground at Pinewood Reservoir
Larimer County Natural Resources has over 400 campsites in a variety of beautiful locations in northern Colorado. Our campsites vary from electric and full-hookup sites for your RV to walk-in and standard sites perfect for tent camping. Information about what types of sites are available at each campground, including the maximum RV length of a site, is available on our reservations website. 

Please keep in mind that our campgrounds fill spring, summer and fall weekends, so plan ahead – or come during the week! We hope you have a wonderful camping trip in Larimer County!

March 1 - October 31: Sites can be reserved from 180 days to 1 day in advance of the arrival date at www.larimercamping.com or by calling the reservation call center at 1-800-397-7795. Sites that are not reserved in advance become available that day as first-come, first-served for people who are physically present at the parks. Same day reservations will ONLY  be accepted at park visitor centers during regular business hours. These sites cannot be held over the phone, nor can their availability be guaranteed prior to arrival in-person.

  • November 1 - February 28/29 same day reservations can be made online at Carter Lake, Flatiron Reservoir, and Pinewood Reservoir. Campers MUST make a reservation and purchase a park entrance permit BEFORE setting up at any campsite.
  • November 1 - February 28/29 same day reservations at Horsetooth Reservoir and Hermit Park must still be done at the park. (Hermit Park closes for the season Dec 20 - Mar 1)

Map of Larimer County Campgrounds

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  • A three-night reservation is required for the holidays of Memorial Day, Labor Day, and whenever Independence Day (4th of July) falls on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Monday at all campsites.
  • A two-night reservation is required for weekend dates April through September at all campsites, and May through mid-October at Hermit Park Open Space.
  • The cabins at Hermit Park Open Space and Horsetooth Reservoir County Park require a two-night minimum reservation, seven days a week, year round, if making the reservation in advance online or through the call center.
  • Maximum stay is 14 days in any 30-day period in the entire system.
  • No Sliding: Reservations made with a departure date beyond the 180-day advance reservations window may not be changed or canceled until 18 days after the reservation is made. This rule is in place to give everyone equal opportunity to reserve the campsite in advance.
  • No Secondary Camping Units: Each reservation is for one camping unit per site. (A camping unit is defined as a wheeled unit used to sleep in such as RVs, 5th wheels, trailers, pop-ups, etc.) 
    We only allow two (2) extra tents in addition to a hard-sided camping unit. If campers do not have a hard-sided camping unit, they are allowed to have up to four (4) tents.
    Call 970-619-4570 with questions.
  • Five (5) reservations is the maximum you can make per phone call or web session.
  • Reservations can be updated or cancelled online by logging in through ReserveAmerica. Or call 1(800) 397-7795 to change dates, site info, add nights, etc. Transfers cannot be made between parks. Reservations must cancelled and then rebooked at a different park.
  • Reselling a campsite or other service provided by Larimer County is NOT ALLOWED and may result in fines.
  • No Shows: Campsites will be held for duration of reservation whether campers show up or not. Customers must cancel in advance at 1-800-397-7795 to release their campsites.
  • March 1 - October 31: Sites can be reserved from 180 days to 1 day in advance of the arrival date at www.larimercamping.com or by calling the reservation call center at 1-800-397-7795. Sites that are not reserved in advance become available that day as first-come, first-served for people who are physically present at the parks. Same day reservations will be accepted at park visitor centers during regular business hours. These sites cannot be held over the phone, nor can their availability be guaranteed prior to arrival in-person.
    • November 1 - February 28/29 same day reservations can be made online at Carter Lake, Flatiron Reservoir, and Pinewood Reservoir. Campers MUST make a reservation and purchase a park entrance permit BEFORE setting up at any campsite.
    • November 1 - February 28/29 same day reservations at Horsetooth Reservoir and Hermit Park must still be done at the park. (Hermit Park closes for the season Dec 20 - March 1)

We recommend that you reserve your campsite, camper cabin, or tipi in advance if possible to ensure that you have a site in the park of your choice.

  • March - October: Reservations are accepted as few as 1 day prior to arrival. Example: If you are making a reservation online using your credit card, Thursday at midnight is the latest you can make a reservation for Friday. If you are making a reservation through the call center using your credit card, see the call center hours below.
  • The farthest out you can make a reservation is 180 days PRIOR TO arrival date. Use a calendar and count backwards. The maximum reservation window changes each day at midnight.
  • The reservation center is open for phone calls at 1-800-397-7795 seven days a week during the recreation season (April - September) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. October through March, the reservation center is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays only, Monday - Friday. (Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)
  • Online reservations can be made 24 hours a day at https://www.larimercamping.com/
  • Cancellation policy: Cancellations made 5 days or less prior to arrival will forfeit 1 night's camping plus the transaction and cancellation fee. Partial cancellations are not allowed. Once a reservation is created, the entire reservation can be changed but not the number of days. To change the number of days of a reservation, the entire reservation must be canceled. Cancellations and changes can be made online by logging in through ReserveAmerica or calling 1-800-397-7795.
    • Campsite Reservation Fee: $8.75 per campsite, per reservation, per camping trip, non-refundable.
    • Cancellation fee: $6.35 per site/per reservation will be charged to the customer
      • *At no time shall the customer be charged more to cancel the reservation than it would have cost to camp*
    • Cancel Before Arrival:
      • 6 days or more prior to arrival - An applicable refund will be granted less cancellation fee and reservation fee.
      • 5 days or less prior to arrival – 1 night’s use fee plus cancellation fee and reservation fee
  • Reservation fee: $8.75 per site, per camping trip. Walk-in fee: $3 for same day reservations made in-person at the park offices during business hours. Reservation fees are non-refundable.
  • When making a camping reservation, payment is required at the time of booking. Credit cards are required for online bookings. Cash and personal checks, in addition to credit cards, are accepted at the park offices.
  • Starting in summer 2024, there is a $15 fee for RV dump stations. This fee can be paid at the electronic kiosk located at individual stations.
  • Park entrance permits, one for each vehicle and one for your trailered watercraft, are required for each day in addition to camping fees.
    • Effective November 2021: Daily Entrance Permits can be purchased online with a camping reservation. (If you have a Larimer County Annual park pass for your vehicle, then do not input your vehicle information when reserving a campsite.) To show proof of Daily Permits, print and display the first page of your confirmation email and place it on the lower corner passenger side dashboard area of the corresponding vehicle. Campers who pre-purchase their vehicle permits can bypass the entrance gates and proceed directly to their campsite upon arrival. Daily Permits are valid from the date of purchase until noon the next day. Note - Fees will display as CAR EXCESS VEHICLES by date when purchasing online. Permits are non-refundable.
    • Daily Permits are still available to purchase at self-service pay stations (credit card only), gatehouses (seasonally), and park offices.
    • Annual Permits are sold online, at select local vendors, gatehouses (seasonally), and park offices. For more info, or to purchase an Annual Permit online, click here.
  • If you change or cancel a reservation, you must pay an additional $6.35 fee. Plan ahead to save fees! If you cancel fewer than 5 full days before arrival date, or cancel any part of the reservation after arrival at the park, you may forfeit up to two night's camping fees, since the site won't be available for other people to reserve.
  • Refunds after arrival date: No refunds for bad weather, poor fishing or leaving early. Any refund requests after your arrival must be made in person with a Ranger or at the park office before you leave.

Carter Lake Locator Map 2022

Big Thompson Campground is located on the north end of Carter Lake. Reserve online | Printable map

Big Thompson campground
Big Thompson campground
Big Thompson campground with views of the water.

Carter Knolls Campground is located on the east side of Carter Lake. Reserve online |

Printable map

Eagle Campground is located on the north end of Carter Lake. Reserve online | Printable map

 

Carter Knolls views with trees.
Eagle Campground view of the entrance road.
Picnic table at Eagle Campgound.
Views of a valley at Carter Lake campgrounds.
Picnic area at Eagle campground.
Picnic area at Eagle Campground.
Eagle Campground area in the trees.
  

North Pines Campground is located on the north end of Carter Lake. Reserve online | Printable map

Sky View Campground is located on the east side of Carter Lake. Reserve online | Printable map

South Shore Campground is located on the south end of Carter Lake. Reserve online | Printable map

South shore area at Carter Lake.
South Shore picnic area at Carter Lake.
Water views from South Shore campground area.
South Shore area at Carter Lake.

More information on Carter Lake

Flatiron Campground is located on the northwest side of Flatiron Reservoir. Reserve online | Printable map

Flatiron Campground
Flatiron Campground
Flatiron Campground
Flatiron Campground
Flatiron Campground
 

More information on Flatiron Reservoir

Pinewood Campground is located on the northeast end of Pinewood Reservoir. Reserved online | Printable map

More information on Pinewood Reservoir

Hermit Park Open Space does not have water recreation on-site. Lake Estes is three miles away.

Hermit's Hollow (campground #1)

Bobcat (campground #2)

Kruger Equestrian (campground #3)

  • Five equestrian campsites each with two small corrals for up to 2 horses, restroom, parking lot for six horse trailers and Limber Pine Trail access.
  • Five non-electric campsites
  • Reserve online
  • Printable map

Granite Gulch (campground #4)

Camper Cabins

More information on Hermit Park Open Space

 

Horsetooth Reservoir Locator Map 2021

 

South Bay Campground is located on the south end of Horsetooth Reservoir.

South Bay Campground
South Bay Campground
South Bay Campground
South Bay Campground
South Bay Campground
South Bay Campground
 
South Bay Campground
 

Inlet Bay Campground is located on the southwest end of Horsetooth Reservoir.

Boat-in Campsites on west side

More information on Horsetooth Reservoir


  • Image A camp spot at Pinewood Reservoir
    A camp spot at Pinewood Reservoir
  • Image Campers can reserve one of three tipis at Flatiron Reservoir campground.
    Campers can reserve one of three tipis at Flatiron Reservoir campground.
  • Image Camping at Horsetooth Reservoir
    Camping at Horsetooth Reservoir
  • Image The campground at South Bay at Horsetooth
    The campground at South Bay at Horsetooth
  • Image Paddleboarding and kayaking can be done easily from Pinewood Reservoir (pictured) as well as campgrounds at Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir.
    Paddleboarding and kayaking can be done easily from Pinewood Reservoir (pictured) as well as campgrounds at Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir.