Kenosha Pass Campground
Kenosha Pass Campground is a small, conveniently-located campground heralded by backpackers on the Colorado Trail and by those looking for a scenic, mountain family getaway. Across the road from the campground entrance is the Kenosha Pass Interpretive Area, with an accessible interpretive trail showcasing wetlands and remnants of the South Park and Pacific Railroad. Kenosha Pass, the campground's namesake, is one of the nation's highest mountain passes, weaving over the spine of the Front Range from Jefferson to Grant. The route provides one of the primary access points to South Park, and boasts tremendous views of Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 24 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 55 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
24 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Pull-through | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | ||
| 007 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 011 | Back-in | 26 | 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 | 55 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 010, 012 are listed accessible |
Kenosha Pass includes vault toilets and drinking water from a hand pump. Each site has a campfire ring and picnic table. Parking aprons are dirt and gravel. This campground has 25 campsites at an elevation of 10,000 feet with parking spurs 16-30 feet long. Camping season begins in May and continues to early September. Facilities include water, tables, vault toilets and fire rings. All dates are weather dependent. Visitors may expect full service from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. The area also has an extended season when services such as water, trash or a host may not be available through in the fall.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | Late May to Late September |
| Forest | Pike-San Isabel National Forests |
| Booking | Friday and Saturday night minimum required stay on weekends. Three nights minimum on holiday weekends. |
| Fees | $28.00 fee per site for overnight. Two (2) vehicles or one (1) RV per site is included in the camping fee. $11.00 for a third vehicle. $11.00 day use fee if not camping overnight. Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. |
| Rules | The following restrictions apply to this campground: Maximum 8 persons per site, 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle. Maximum 24' RV. 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 Denver, travel south on Highway 285 through Pine Junction and Bailey. Continue 17.5 miles past Bailey on Highway 285 to Kenosha Pass Campground at the summit of Kenosha Pass. The campground is on the right side of the highway.
| Nearest town | Morrison, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.4131° N, 105.7567° 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
- PrescribedHarris Park Broadcast Rx
16 mi from the campground · 390 acres
- PrescribedO'Brien 2 Broadcast Rx
35 mi from the campground · 267 acres
- WildfireWillow
39 mi from the campground · 7,359 acres · 92% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Arapahoe Basin Base Lodge ↗ | 17 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 35.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 37.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Kenosha Pass Campground - Pike National Forest
Worth a stop
Jefferson Lake, known for its great fishing, is 10 miles north.
- 6.5 miGibson Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 8.6 miLong Gulch Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 4.3 miBurning Bear ↗5.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.5 miWhiteside2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.7 miWest Jefferson ↗5.4 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
Mount Evans Wilderness begins about 7.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.4 miMount Evans Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 73,416 acres
- 12.6 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
At a 10,000 foot elevation, the region is commonly referred to as the High Country. Campsites are situated among lodgepole pine and aspen trees. Summer temperature are generally mild and cool, but the high elevation may cause very chilly nights.
Recreation
Excellent hiking, biking and horseback riding are available on the lengthy Colorado Trail, a 471-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. For a scenic drive, take in the views of the Kenosha Mountain Pass, then head to Guanella Pass for even more picture-perfect scenery.
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 Kenosha Pass Campground?
Sites at Kenosha Pass Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Friday and Saturday night minimum required stay on weekends. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Kenosha Pass Campground?
$28.00 fee per site for overnight. Two (2) vehicles or one (1) RV per site is included in the camping fee. $11.00 for a third vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Kenosha Pass Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Kenosha Pass Campground?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
How many sites does Kenosha Pass Campground have?
25 sites, including 24 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Kenosha Pass Campground?
The longest site here provides 55 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 Kenosha Pass Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Kenosha Pass Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Kenosha Pass Campground?
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. The following restrictions apply to this campground: Maximum 8 persons per site, 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Kenosha Pass Campground?
Sites 010 and 012 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 Kenosha Pass Campground?
Excellent hiking, biking and horseback riding are available on the lengthy Colorado Trail, a 471-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Kenosha Pass Campground?
Morrison, Colorado. Jefferson Lake, known for its great fishing, is 10 miles north.
Source: Getting there
What if Kenosha Pass Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Kenosha East (0.1 mi, first-come), Timberline Campground (1.3 mi), and Aspen (4.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby