Cove Campground
Cove Campground is a small, primitive campground ideal for anglers and rock climbers, nestled in the Eleven Mile Canyon along the South Platte River.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · dark sky in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 3 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
Site guide
4 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Tent only | 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 |
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 | 25 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Dark sky | 9.4 miles from Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
Cove Campground offers four reservable campsites. Drinking water from a hand pump, picnic tables, vault toilets and campfire rings are available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | May (dependent on conditions) to Mid October |
| Forest | Pike-San Isabel National Forests |
| Booking | Reservations can be made 180 days in advance maximum/4 days in advance minimum by calling 1-877-444-6777 or by visiting recreation.gov. |
| 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 | Max RV 16 feet. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Lake George turn off of Highway 24 onto County Road 96. Follow the road for about one mile and turn right into Eleven Mile Canyon. Cove Campground is located approximately 8 miles into the canyon on the right.
| Nearest town | Lake George, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.9106° N, 105.4603° 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
- PrescribedO'Brien 2 Broadcast Rx
6 mi from the campground · 267 acres
- PrescribedRainbow Gulch Rx
26 mi from the campground · 912 acres
- PrescribedHarris Park Broadcast Rx
42 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 ↗ | 2.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | South Platte Fly Shop ↗ | 22.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | RVs of America Off-Road ↗ | 39.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
The Cove @ Gore, VA - Campground Review
Worth a stop
Visit the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado.
- 3.1 mi
- 3.4 miEleven Mile Picnic Area ↗Day use
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- South Platte River BridgeStructure · Lake George · 7.4 mi
- Florissant SchoolBuilding · Florissant · 9.2 mi
- Hornbek HouseBuilding · Florissant · 9.6 mi
Natural features
Cove sits along the river and is one of the closest campground to the Eleven Mile Reservoir, which spans 3,405 surface acres and 5 miles in length. Eleven Mile Canyon was cut by the South Platte River and is bordered by polished gray granite cliffs.
Recreation
Fishing for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout is one of the most popular activities for campers. Birding and nature photography are also ideal pastimes. Rock climbers enjoy the solid walls of the canyon. Hikers can head to the nearby Overlook Trail for breathtaking views of Eleven Mile Canyon and Eleven Mile Reservoir. Occasionally, Golden Eagles can be viewed nesting in the nearby granite cliffs and crags. Springtime brings higher chances of seeing Bald Eagles.
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 Cove Campground?
Sites at Cove Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made 180 days in advance maximum/4 days in advance minimum by calling 1-877-444-6777 or by visiting recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cove Campground?
$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 Cove Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Cove Campground?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Cove Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May (dependent on conditions) to Mid October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cove Campground have?
4 sites, including 3 standard sites without power and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cove Campground?
The longest site here provides 25 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 Cove Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cove Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cove 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. Max RV 16 feet.
Source: Fire nearby
Is Cove Campground good for stargazing?
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 9.4 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Cove Campground?
Fishing for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout is one of the most popular activities for campers. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cove Campground?
Lake George, Colorado. Visit the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world.
Source: Getting there