Kelly Dahl
Kelly Dahl Campground is located adjacent to the Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway, near the historic mining towns of Nederland, Rollinsville, Central City and Black Hawk.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 25 |
| Host/management | 21 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
25 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 021 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
| 022 | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
| 023 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
| 024 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
| 025 | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
| 026 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
| 027 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
| 028 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
| 029 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
| 030 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | 8 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
The campground offers 46 single-family sites that will accommodate tents, trailers or RVs. Campsites #1 through #20 are first-come, first-served. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. There is a maximum of eight people per site. Vault toilets, drinking water, and trash collection are provided throughout the campground. Firewood is for sale in campground. The road through the campground is gravel/dirt. A playground suitable for small children is located within the campground.
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 | Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG |
| Booking | Reservations can be made through www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
| Fees | Check detailed information on www.recreation.gov or see general fees on the campground table. Double campsites are unavailable at this campground. Fees are reduced when the water system is off. |
| Rules | Pets must be on a hand-held leash at all times. A maximum of eight people are allowed per site. RVs, trailers or other vehicles must fit on the parking spur. |
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG recreation page ↗
Weather by month
Getting there
From Denver, go north on Interstate 25 to US Highway 36 west to Boulder. Take Colorado Highway 119 (Canyon Boulevard) west for 22 miles to Nederland. Continue south for 4 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Morrison, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.9325° N, 105.4978° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Customers and contact center agents cannot modify reservations on or after the check-in date.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHarris Park Broadcast Rx
28 mi from the campground · 390 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump Station ↗ | 4.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Fjällräven ↗ | 12.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 21.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Kelly Dahl Campground Review | Colorado Peak to Peak Highway Camping
Worth a stop
The town of Nederland, which is four miles north of the campground, offers grocery and hardware stores, restaurants, gas, a post office, bank and Barker Reservoir.
- 6.5 miRainbow Lakes Trailhead Day Pass ↗Trailhead
- 9.2 mi
- 11 miBrainard Lake Gateway Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.1 miReroot1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miNE Haul Road Trails2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.3 miHobbit2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miSW Haul Road Trails0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miObservatory Trail0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miN. Observatory Spur0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.3 miWest Magnolia Trailhead ↗Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
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
Indian Peaks Wilderness begins about 7.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.5 miIndian Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · FS/NPS · 77,932 acres
- 8.4 miJames Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 17,109 acres
- 13.1 miRocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 5,251 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated among ponderosa pines, on a gentle slope, at an approximate elevation of 8,600 feet. Due to the mountain pine beetle infestation and consequent hazardous tree removal, the campground offers little to no shade.
Recreation
Although no formal trails exist in the campground, a few closed roads offer campers the opportunity to explore the surrounding area. West Magnolia and East Portal Trailheads offer trails within a short drive. The Rollins Pass Road (Moffat Road) and other off-road routes can be found in the vicinity. The lakes across the highway are on private property and access is prohibited.
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 Kelly Dahl?
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 Kelly Dahl?
Check detailed information on www.recreation.gov or see general fees on the campground table. Double campsites are unavailable at this campground. Fees are reduced when the water system is off.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Kelly Dahl?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Kelly Dahl open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Kelly Dahl have?
46 sites, including 25 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Kelly Dahl?
The longest site here provides 45 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 Kelly Dahl?
Yes, pets are allowed at Kelly Dahl. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Kelly Dahl?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Kelly Dahl?
Although no formal trails exist in the campground, a few closed roads offer campers the opportunity to explore the surrounding area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Kelly Dahl?
Morrison, Colorado. The town of Nederland, which is four miles north of the campground, offers grocery and hardware stores, restaurants, gas, a post office, bank and Barker Reservoir.
Source: Getting there
What if Kelly Dahl is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Cold Springs (6.3 mi), Pickle Gulch (6.3 mi), and Rainbow Lakes Campground (6.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby