Alvarado Campground
Alvarado Campground, located at an elevation of 9,000 ft. is a prime location for accessing easy to challenging hikes in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. The variety of trails lead to high elevation lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and a number of stunning scenic overlooks. Alvarado is designed for a range of campers, with facilities for tent, RV and equestrian campers. Pike-San Isabel National Forests include over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 41 |
| Walk-in | 5 |
| Equestrian | 3 |
| RV, no hookups | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
50 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | 27 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 04 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 05 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 06 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 07 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 09 | RV | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 11 | Standard | Back-in | 22 | 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 | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Extra Vehicle $8.00 |
Alvarado is divided into three unique areas. The lower level accommodates tents and RVs, the upper level is designed for walk-in tent campers, and part of the middle section caters to equestrian campers. There are no corrals but there is space to put portable corrals for horses. Parking aprons are dirt and gravel. Tent pads and lantern posts are located in the lower campsites only.
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 |
| Booking | Call 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov at least 4 days in advance. Friday and Saturday night minimum required stay on weekends. 3 nights minimum on holiday weekends. |
| Fees | $30.00 per site fee for overnight camping. Two vehicles per site. Additional $10.00 fee for extra vehicles. $10.00 day-use fees charged if not registered in campgrounds. Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. Self-servicing fee tube is available. |
| Rules | Maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle. 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 Westcliffe, CO, take State Route 69 south 3 miles to the campground sign (County Road 140). Turn right and go 1.8 miles to the stop sign. Continue straight through the stop sign for 2.8 miles until you hit another stop sign (RD 141). Turn left onto RD 141 and continue 2.1 miles to campground. (Note: RD 141 becomes dirt/gravel after 0.4 miles.)
| Nearest town | Westcliffe, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38.0789° N, 105.5633° 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
- WildfireAspen Acres
27 mi from the campground · 102,007 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 23.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Royal Gorge Rafting ↗ | 30.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Holiday RV ↗ | 41.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Camping At Alvarado Campground In Westcliffe, CO
Worth a stop
Explore the Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway that takes drivers through the Wet Mountains and provides spectacular views of 22 peaks, all within the San Isabel National Forest.
- 0.2 miAlvarado Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miRainbow Access From 140.B0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.2 miComanche ↗5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miVenable Access0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.6 miVenable ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.9 miCottonwood ↗5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miGoodwin3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.2 miAlvarado Trailhead ↗Pike-San Isabel National Forests
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
This campground sits inside Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.
- inSangre de Cristo Wilderness ↗Wilderness · FS/NPS · 219,891 acres
- 12.9 miBaca National Wildlife Refuge ↗National Wildlife Refuge · Fish and Wildlife Service · 85,815 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
On the National Register nearby
- Willows SchoolBuilding · Westcliffe · 2.6 mi
- Holdsworth House-Aspenholme-Pines LodgeBuilding · Westcliffe · 6.4 mi
- Hope Lutheran ChurchBuilding · Westcliffe · 6.4 mi
Natural features
Alvarado is perched on the side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains among sweet smelling ponderosa pine, aspen, lodgepole and gambel oak trees. Some sites offer views of the Wet Mountain Valley below while others sit beside Alvarado Creek. The campground is within reach of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, which spans 226,455 acres with 60 alpine lakes, 400 miles of streams and over 400 miles of trails to explore. Large aspen stands visible in the area today are a result of fires set in the early 1900's to clear pasture land, expose minerals and produce charcoal.
Recreation
Near the campground are several trailheads that provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities. All trails are open for horseback riding and hiking. The Rainbow Trail is a premier ATV and motorcycle trail. The non-motorized Comanche and Venable Trails lead into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness where waterfalls and alpine lakes may be enjoyed.
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 Alvarado Campground?
Sites at Alvarado Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Call 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov at least 4 days in advance. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Alvarado Campground?
Extra Vehicle $8.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Alvarado Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Alvarado 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 Alvarado Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Alvarado Campground have?
51 sites, including 41 standard sites without power, 5 walk-in sites, 3 equestrian sites, and 1 RV site without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Alvarado Campground?
The longest site here provides 45 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 Alvarado Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Alvarado Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Alvarado Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum 8 persons per site: 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 recreation vehicle.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Alvarado Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE and T-Mobile 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 Alvarado Campground?
Near the campground are several trailheads that provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Alvarado Campground?
Westcliffe, Colorado. Explore the Frontier Pathways Scenic and Historic Byway that takes drivers through the Wet Mountains and provides spectacular views of 22 peaks, all within the San Isabel National Forest.
Source: Getting there