Chalk Lake
Chalk Lake Campground is located in beautiful Chaffee County, Colorado. This popular facility sits near Chalk Lake and is within 4 miles of a private hot springs resort, making it an ideal location for rest and relaxation. This is a popular campground and is normally full starting on Friday, sometimes as early as Thursday, so plan accordingly.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| Tent-only | 7 |
Site guide
19 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 008 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 30 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 001, 017, 018, 019 are listed accessible |
The campground offers single-family sites, a few of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Accessible vault toilets are provided. Firewood is sold on-site. Sites: #4-9, and 14 "walk-up", first-come, first-served sites. All other sites are reservable. Site #1 is used by the host from mid-May to mid-September. After that time it is available as a "walk-up", first-come, first-served site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Pike-San Isabel National Forests |
| Booking | Sites may be reserved by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 at least 4 days in advance. (Friday and Saturday 2-night minimum required stay for weekend reservations. |
| Fees | $25 per site for overnight camping. 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. Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. Self-servicing fee tube is available. |
| Rules | Maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV). Maximum RV length is 50 ft. Dogs must be leashed at all times. No discharge of firearms or fireworks. Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 285 south to Nathrop. Turn west on County Road 162 and travel 8 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Salida, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.7128° N, 106.2339° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and 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 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.
Fire nearby
- WildfireWillow
38 mi from the campground · 7,359 acres · 92% contained
- PrescribedO'Brien 2 Broadcast Rx
49 mi from the campground · 267 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Colorado Kayak Supply ↗ | 10.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 10.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Holiday RV ↗ | 16 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Chalk Lake Campground Revisited - San Isabel National Forest
Worth a stop
Take a day trip to the historic ghost town of St. Elmo, just 15 minutes from the campground. An old saloon, county courthouse and many other historic structures remain from the days of its mining glory. Rock hounds come to the area in search of quartz and aquamarine. The city of Salida and Town of Buena Vista are only a short drive away where visitors can enjoy distinctive restaurants, unique shops, incredible art galleries and a large selection of antique shops. The area boasts more than 100 miles of Arkansas River to raft, fish, float or kayak in, as well as fifteen 14,000 ft mountains. Visitors can choose from recreational activities like hiking, biking, ATV/UTV riding, kayaking, rafting, fishing, horseback riding, zipping and swimming.
- 0.1 miChalk Lake Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 7.5 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miCascade Creek Trail0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miNarrow Gauge ↗2.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.4 miMt. Princeton2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.9 miLittle Browns Creek4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.3 miWagon Loop1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.8 miBrowns Creek ↗6.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Browns Canyon National Monument begins about 8.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 8.3 miBrowns Canyon National Monument ↗National Monument · Bureau of Land Management · 21,709 acres
- 13.7 miCollegiate Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 165,874 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Maxwell Park SchoolBuilding · Buena Vista · 7.4 mi
- Morley BridgeStructure · Romley · 7.5 mi
- Gas Creek SchoolBuilding · Nathrop · 8 mi
Natural features
The campground sits at an elevation of 9,000 feet in Chalk Creek Canyon, which gets its name from the soft, white, chalk-like kaolinite canyon walls. Kaolinite is a clay mineral that was deposited by percolating hot springs. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including chipmunks, hummingbirds, birds of prey and mule deer.
Recreation
Chalk Lake is located next to the campground and is a great family fishing spot with rainbow, brook and brown trout. Motorized boats are not allowed on the lake. Chalk Creek also offers fishing, and it's best above Cascade Falls. Plenty of off-road vehicle trails are near the campground. Recommended rides include Mount Antero, Baldwin Lake, Tincup Pass, Hancock Pass, Pomeroy Lakes, and Hancock Lakes. The Cascade Loop Trail is located across the street from the campground. The Chalk Creek Trailhead is about 2 miles east of the campground which gives hikers access to the extensive Colorado Trail, which extends nearly 500 miles from Denver to Durango.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Chalk Lake?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Chalk Lake?
$25 per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $10.00 for a third vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Chalk Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Chalk Lake?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Chalk Lake open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Chalk Lake have?
19 sites, including 12 standard sites without power and 7 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Chalk Lake?
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Chalk Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Chalk Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Chalk Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV).
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Chalk Lake?
Sites 001, 017, 018, and 019 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Chalk Lake?
Chalk Lake is located next to the campground and is a great family fishing spot with rainbow, brook and brown trout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Chalk Lake?
Salida, Colorado. Take a day trip to the historic ghost town of St.
Source: Getting there