Jefferson Creek
Campers looking for a pleasant fishing destination with great mountain views will enjoy camping at Jefferson Creek. The campground is located a short drive or hike from Jefferson Lake. The lake is one of the highest elevation lakes around, capping 10,685 feet elevation and bordered by steep 12,000 foot peaks. Fishing in both the creek and lake offer promising catches of trout. Another noteworthy aspect of the campground is its access to the Colorado Trail.
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 | 3 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
16 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | 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 |
| Accessibility | Sites 003, 004, 005, 006 and 8 more are listed accessible |
Jefferson Campground offers nearly 20 reservable campsites. Parking aprons are gravel and the max RV length 25 feet. Amenities include picnic tables, vault toilets, drinking water and campfire rings.
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 are recommended during the busy summer months and can be made up to 180 days in advance maximum/4 days in advance minimum at 1-877-444-6777 or 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 | Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Campfires are restricted to fire rings only. Maximum 14 consecutive night stay. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From US Highway 285 at Jefferson, Colorado, take County Road 35 north to County Road 37 and turn right. Pay the user fee at Jefferson Lake Recreation Area entrance station and continue on the road to the campground.
| Nearest town | Lake George, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.4369° N, 105.8608° 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
20 mi from the campground · 390 acres
- WildfireWillow
34 mi from the campground · 7,359 acres · 92% contained
- PrescribedO'Brien 2 Broadcast Rx
40 mi from the campground · 267 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Lessons & Rental Shop ↗ | 14.2 mi |
| Dump station | Dump Station ↗ | 37.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 40.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Jefferson Creek Campground - Pike National Forest
Worth a stop
Visitors enjoy Fairplay, Colorado, a ghost town that was once a frontier boom town. The South Park City Museum contains 34 authentic buildings with 60,000 artifacts.
- 4.3 miGibson Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.9 mi
- 13.7 miSilver Dollar Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.3 miWest Jefferson ↗5.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miJefferson Lake Loop2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miMichigan Creek2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.7 miMichigan Cr Snowmobile ↗7.2 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 2.8 miFrench Pass3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.9 miGreat Flume4 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 10 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 10 miMount Evans Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 73,416 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
Jefferson Creek Campground extends along a ridge looking over Jefferson Creek. The high elevation campground sits at 10,100 feet altitude with surroundings of mixed conifers. It is a mile from Jefferson Lake, a182-acre lake with deep, cold waters that freezes over in winter.
Recreation
Two trails can be accessed near the campground. The best hiking, biking and horseback riding experience is on the epic Colorado Trail, a 471-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. The other is the West Jefferson Loop Trail, a foot path that extends for 11 miles to the Continental Divide. Rainbow, brown, mackinaw and brook trout can be found swimming in the creek and lake. Motorized boating is allowed in Jefferson Lake, but it is a no-wake lake.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Jefferson Creek?
Sites at Jefferson Creek are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations are recommended during the busy summer months and can be made up to 180 days in advance maximum/4 days in advance minimum at 1-877-444-6777 or recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Jefferson Creek?
$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 Jefferson Creek?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Jefferson Creek?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Jefferson Creek 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 Jefferson Creek have?
17 sites, including 13 standard sites without power and 3 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Jefferson Creek?
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 Jefferson Creek?
Yes, pets are allowed at Jefferson Creek. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Jefferson Creek?
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. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Jefferson Creek?
Sites 003, 004, 005, and 006 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 12 sites in all. 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 Jefferson Creek?
Two trails can be accessed near the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Jefferson Creek?
Lake George, Colorado. Visitors enjoy Fairplay, Colorado, a ghost town that was once a frontier boom town.
Source: Getting there