Ohaver Lake
It is located on the shores of O'Haver Lake. This facility has 31 sites and is a very popular destination that is often full on the weekends. 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 | 29 |
| Tent-only | 3 |
Site guide
32 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 008 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / No | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
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 |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
Vault toilets and trash collection and campground host are provided. Firewood is sold on site. Sites #1-5, 7,13,21,23 and 24 are first-come, first-served, "Walk-up" sites. All other sites are reservable. Site #6 is used by the host from mid-May through 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 up to 6 months or at least 4 days in advance. |
| Fees | $28 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 45 ft. Dogs must be leashed at all times. No discharge of firearms or fireworks. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Salida, Colorado: Travel west on Highway 50 to Poncha Springs. Turn south on Hwy 285 and travel for 5 miles. Turn right onto County Road 200 and continue for 2.3 miles. Turn west on County Road 202 and proceed 2.5 miles.
| Nearest town | Salida, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.4278° N, 106.1431° 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.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Holiday RV ↗ | 7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Rocky Mountain Mercantile ↗ | 11.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 27.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Ohaver Lake, CO from Steve & Ashley G.
Worth a stop
The historic Denver and Rio Grande railroad grade traveled from Salida, southwest to the summit of Marshall Pass. The grade travels along County Road 200 above O'Haver Lake. This is a very popular mountain biking route with cyclists traveling from Monarch Pass to Marshall Pass on the Crest trail and then traveling down the railroad grade into Poncha Springs. Silver Creek, Starvation Creek, Poncha Creek and the Rainbow Trail are also nearby trails. Shirley Site is located off of Highway 285 and County Road 200 just below Poncha Pass. Shirley got its name during the 1880's when it served as a busy construction camp for men building the Denver and Rio Grande rail line over Marshall Pass to the ore-rich mines in Gunnison. By summer of 1881, Shirley boasted 14 large business tents, most of which were saloons and dance halls. Little remains of the town of Shirley except the coal stained railbed that can be seen just north of the Shirley site parking area. Shirley Site is a popular staging area for OHV riders and mountain bikers during the summer months and snowmobilers during winter.
- 7.9 miRawley 12 Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.9 miMonarch Pass Overlook & Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 2.6 miStarvation Creek ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.1 miLittle Cochetopa4.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.5 miPass Creek3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 4.8 miSilver Creek4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.9 miShirley Site Trailhead ↗Pike-San Isabel National Forests
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Poncha Springs SchoolhouseBuilding · Poncha Springs · 7.1 mi
- Hutchinson RanchBuilding · Poncha Springs · 8.1 mi
- Maysville SchoolBuilding · Maysville · 8.1 mi
Natural features
This area attracts many campers for fishing, bird watching and canoeing on the calm, pleasant lake.
Recreation
There is an accessible fishing pier and non-motorized watercraft can be used to seek rainbow and brook trout on O'Haver Lake. If using non-motorized watercraft please be courteous to those who are fishing.
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 Ohaver 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 Ohaver Lake?
$28 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 Ohaver Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Ohaver 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 Ohaver Lake open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Ohaver Lake have?
32 sites, including 29 standard sites without power and 3 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Ohaver Lake?
Ohaver Lake is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Ohaver Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ohaver Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Ohaver Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle (RV).
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Ohaver Lake?
There is an accessible fishing pier and non-motorized watercraft can be used to seek rainbow and brook trout on O'Haver Lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Ohaver Lake?
Salida, Colorado. The historic Denver and Rio Grande railroad grade traveled from Salida, southwest to the summit of Marshall Pass.
Source: Getting there
What if Ohaver Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Angel Of Shavano Group (11.5 mi), Monarch Park (11.5 mi), and Angel Of Shavano (11.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby