South Meadows
South Meadows Campground, located 5 miles north of Woodland Park, provides a scenic spot for campers to rest and enjoy the many recreational offerings of the area. The campground attracts hikers and bikers with access to the multipurpose paved Centennial Bike Trail, as well as visitors looking for a central location for day trips to Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods. Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs, featuring incredible rock formations, impressive vistas and a free visitor and nature center.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 60 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
| RV, no hookups | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 84 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
63 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Standard | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | Standard | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | Standard | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | RV | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 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 | 84 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Each site has a campfire ring and picnic table. Roads are paved and a campground host is on duty. Vault toilets and drinking water may be found throughout the campground with reduced facilities outside of peak season.
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. |
| Season | May to October |
| Forest | Pike-San Isabel National Forests |
| Fees | $28.00 fee per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $11.00 for a third vehicle. $11.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight. Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. Self-servicing fee tube is available. |
| Rules | Dogs must be leashed at all times. No discharge of firearms or fireworks. Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground. Camping is not allowed behind a locked gate. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the I-25 and Hwy 24 intersection in Colorado Springs, Colorado, travel west on Highway 24 for approximately 18 miles to the Hwy 24 and Hwy 67 intersection in Woodland Park. Turn right (north) on Hwy 67 and travel approximately 5.5 miles to South Meadows Campground. The campground is on the left side of the road.
| Nearest town | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.0647° N, 105.0922° 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
- PrescribedRainbow Gulch Rx
8 mi from the campground · 912 acres
- PrescribedO'Brien 2 Broadcast Rx
17 mi from the campground · 267 acres
- PrescribedHarris Park Broadcast Rx
38 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
| Outdoor gear | South Platte Fly Shop ↗ | 5.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 11.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | RVs of America Off-Road ↗ | 23.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
South Meadows Campground - Pike National Forest
Worth a stop
The town of Woodland Park is located five miles south of South Meadows Campground where campers can find gas, food, dining and shopping. Visitors can tour the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and view the impressive architecture at the Cadet Chapel. Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods are other popular attractions.
- 8.8 miPromontory Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 9.3 miHomestake Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 11.4 miHalfway Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 1.1 miColorado Cg0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miCampground Loop Spur0.07 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miPainted Rocks Spur0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miRed Rocks Spur0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miMule Creek North1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miSouth Stairsunder 0.1 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Crystola BridgeStructure · Crystola · 7.7 mi
- Peggy Hill CabinBuilding · Palmer Lake · 9.4 mi
- Inez Johnson Lewis SchoolBuilding · Monument · 12 mi
Natural features
Campsites are tucked in a stand of ponderosa pines at an elevation of 8,000 feet. To the north is the 5-acre Manitou Lake. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer months and temperatures are generally mild, with warm and pleasant days and cooler nights.
Recreation
The 4.2-mile Centennial Trail, a paved, accessible recreation trail, connects South Meadows Campground to Manitou Lake Picnic Area and Colorado Campground. The trail is popular for hikers, inline skaters and bicyclists. The nearby Rainbow Falls OHV Trail System and North Divide OHV Trail System are recommended for off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Fishing is available at nearby Manitou Lake and Trout Creek.
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 South Meadows?
Sites at South Meadows are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at South Meadows?
$28.00 fee per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $11.00 for a third vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at South Meadows?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at South Meadows?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is South Meadows open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does South Meadows have?
64 sites, including 60 standard sites without power, 2 tent-only sites, and 1 RV site without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at South Meadows?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at South Meadows?
Yes, pets are allowed at South Meadows. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at South Meadows?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at South Meadows?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at South Meadows?
The 4.2-mile Centennial Trail, a paved, accessible recreation trail, connects South Meadows Campground to Manitou Lake Picnic Area and Colorado Campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to South Meadows?
Colorado Springs, Colorado. The town of Woodland Park is located five miles south of South Meadows Campground where campers can find gas, food, dining and shopping.
Source: Getting there