Buffalo Springs
Buffalo Springs Campground sits on a rolling hillside in the San Isabel National Forest, providing an ideal setting for biking, hiking, horseback riding and rock climbing.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 16 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
17 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | Standard | Pull-through | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 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 | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Campsites are widely spaced. Parking aprons are dirt and rocky and fit a maximum trailer length of 30 feet. Amenities include campfire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, drinking water and parking for up to two vehicles.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Mid May (depending on conditions) to Mid October |
| Forest | Pike-San Isabel National Forests |
| Booking | Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or at recreation.gov. Reservations must be made at least four days in advance; two night minimum stay on weekends and three night minimum stay on… |
| Fees | $24.00 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-service fee tube is available. |
| Rules | Pets must be on a leash at all times within the campground. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Campfires are resrtricted to fire rings only. Be sure any campfire is completely extinguished before leaving. No more than a 14 consecutive night stay in campground. Eight people may stay on any one site. Facility roads are not paved. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Fairplay, take Highway 285 south for about 12.5 miles, just 3 miles past County Road 22 turnoff. Turn right onto Forest Road 431 and continue one mile to campground.
| Nearest town | Lake George, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.0339° N, 105.9892° 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
- WildfireWillow
28 mi from the campground · 7,359 acres · 92% contained
- PrescribedO'Brien 2 Broadcast Rx
32 mi from the campground · 267 acres
- PrescribedHarris Park Broadcast Rx
43 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 | Trailhead ↗ | 15.2 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 15.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Holiday RV ↗ | 36.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Buffalo Springs Campground - South Park Colorado
Worth a stop
The nearest large fishing and boating lake is Antero Reservoir, the first man-made lake to be built on the South Platte River. The lake produces trophy class fish, including rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout. The nearest town is Fairplay, Colorado, a historic gold mining settlement of the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. The town has an open air museum that sets that helps recreate the life and times of the 19th century gold rush era.
- 13.2 miPine Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 3.4 miMcQuaid2.9 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
Buffalo Peaks Wilderness begins about 4.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.7 miBuffalo Peaks Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 41,281 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
Tucked in a stand of aspen, spruce and other mixed conifers, Buffalo Springs offers private, secluded campsites. At 9,000 feet altitude, the campground maintains a glowing reputation as a place for excellent mountain views.
Recreation
Picnicking and wildlife watching are also great activities. Look out for sightings of mule deer, bald eagles and chipmunks. Volleyball courts and horseshoe pits are also provided on-site.
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 Buffalo Springs?
Sites at Buffalo Springs are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or at recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Buffalo Springs?
$24.00 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 Buffalo Springs?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Buffalo Springs?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Buffalo Springs open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Mid May (depending on conditions) to Mid October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Buffalo Springs have?
18 sites, including 16 standard sites without power and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Buffalo Springs?
The longest site here provides 40 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 Buffalo Springs?
Yes, pets are allowed at Buffalo Springs. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Buffalo Springs?
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. Pets must be on a leash at all times within the campground.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Buffalo Springs?
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 Buffalo Springs?
Picnicking and wildlife watching are also great activities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Buffalo Springs?
Lake George, Colorado. The nearest large fishing and boating lake is Antero Reservoir, the first man-made lake to be built on the South Platte River.
Source: Getting there