Painted Rocks
Painted Rocks Campground is located a short distance from Manitou Lake Picnic Area and the Centennial Bike Trail in central Colorado. The rustic campground is named for the sandstone outcroppings in the area that resemble colorful streaks from an artist's paintbrush.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 13 |
| Tent-only | 5 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 59 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
18 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 39 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 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 | 59 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers single-family sites on two loops. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.
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 |
| Fees | $28 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-service 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 Highway 24 intersection in Colorado Springs, Colorado, travel west on Highway 24 for about 18 miles to the junction with Highway 67 in Woodland Park. Turn right (north) on Highway 67 and drive about 7 miles to Painted Rocks Road and turn left (west). Take the gravel road about 1/2 mile to campground entrance on the left.
| Nearest town | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.0844° N, 105.1053° 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
9 mi from the campground · 912 acres
- PrescribedO'Brien 2 Broadcast Rx
17 mi from the campground · 267 acres
- PrescribedHarris Park Broadcast Rx
37 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 ↗ | 7.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 13.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Berkenkotter Motors ↗ | 23.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Painted Rocks Campground - Pike National Forest
Worth a stop
The town of Woodland Park is located approximately 7 1/2 miles south of Painted Rocks Campground, where campers can find gas, groceries, dining and shopping. Colorado Springs is about 30 miles southeast of the campground and offers many services. Garden of the Gods is a popular attraction just outside of town. This free City of Colorado Springs park offers hiking trails, rock climbing routes, a visitor center and cafe. Pikes Peak lies west of Manitou Springs, which is about 25 miles from the campground. Visitors can hike, bike, or drive to the summit of this beautiful mountain.
- 10.2 miPromontory Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 10.7 miHomestake Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 12 miTopaz Point Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 13.9 miCheesman Canyon Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miPainted Rocks Spur0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miSouth Stairsunder 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miCentennial3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miManitou Lake0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miNorth Loop0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miCampground Loop Spur0.07 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
Lost Creek Wilderness begins about 14.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 14.1 miLost Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 114,864 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
On the National Register nearby
- Crystola BridgeStructure · Crystola · 9.2 mi
- Peggy Hill CabinBuilding · Palmer Lake · 9.8 mi
- Inez Johnson Lewis SchoolBuilding · Monument · 12.6 mi
Natural features
The campground is nestled on the edge of a grassy meadow at an elevation of 7,800 feet. Most sites on the west loop are shaded by ponderosa pines, while sites on the east loop are more open and less shady.
Recreation
The paved, accessible Centennial Bike Trail is a half-mile from the campground. It connects to nearby Colorado and South Meadows Campgrounds, and leads to 5-acre Manitou Lake. Visitors enjoy riding bicycles on this trail to Manitou Lake for fishing and bird watching. Waterfowl and songbirds are often seen in the area. The nearby Rainbow Falls OHV Trail System and North Divide OHV Trail System are recommended for off-road vehicle enthusiasts.
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 Painted Rocks?
Sites at Painted Rocks 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 Painted Rocks?
$28 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 Painted Rocks?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Painted Rocks?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Painted Rocks open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Painted Rocks have?
18 sites, including 13 standard sites without power and 5 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Painted Rocks?
The longest site here provides 59 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 Painted Rocks?
Yes, pets are allowed at Painted Rocks. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Painted Rocks?
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 Painted Rocks?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Painted Rocks?
The paved, accessible Centennial Bike Trail is a half-mile from the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Painted Rocks?
Colorado Springs, Colorado. The town of Woodland Park is located approximately 7 1/2 miles south of Painted Rocks Campground, where campers can find gas, groceries, dining and shopping.
Source: Getting there