Park Creek Campground
This small campground stretches along the banks of the south fork of the Rio Grande River among mature spruce and cottonwood trees. Many sites are adjacent to the river. US Highway 160 is very close by so some traffic noise is common day and night. With heavy understory, the campground has the feel of spacious seclusion and is very cool and shady. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques. There is fishing nearby in the South Fork of the Rio Grande and Park Creek. Wolf Creek Pass is 9.5 miles west from the campground.
More like this: first-come in Colorado · tent only in Colorado
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | Single site - $27 to $31/night. Double site - $54 to $58/night. $12 for day use picnicking. Fee envelopes and a collection box are provided near the entrance. |
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. |
| Season | Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day |
| Forest | Rio Grande National Forest |
| Fees | Single site - $27 to $31/night. Double site - $54 to $58/night. $12 for day use picnicking. Fee envelopes and a collection box are provided near the entrance. |
| Rules | Must have a Colorado fishing license to fish in the South Fork of the Rio Grande. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 37.5906° N, 106.7304° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireElk
50 mi from the campground · 7,257 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 10.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Kristi's Mountain Sports ↗ | 46.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 1.8 miMetroz Trailhead #833 ↗Trailhead
- 1.9 miColumbine Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 2.9 miLake Fork Trailhead #836 ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 2.3 miDecker ↗7.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.4 miTie Hill ↗5.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3 miTewskberry ↗6.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.6 miShaw Lake Loop1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.3 miKitty Creek ↗4.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.4 miTrout ↗10.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.8 miMetroz Trailhead #833 ↗Rio Grande National Forest
- 2.9 miLake Fork Trailhead #836 ↗Rio Grande National Forest
- 3 miTewksberry Trailhead #842 ↗Rio Grande National Forest
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 Rio Grande National Forest.
- inRio Grande National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,937,280 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
- Denver & Rio Grande Railroad South Fork Water TankStructure · South Fork · 8 mi
- Spruce LodgeBuilding · South Fork · 8.1 mi
- Wagon Wheel Gap Railroad StationBuilding · Creede · 13.1 mi
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 Park Creek Campground?
No. Park Creek Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Park Creek Campground?
Single site - $27 to $31/night. Double site - $54 to $58/night. $12 for day use picnicking.
Source: Forest Service
Is Park Creek Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 26, 2026. Season Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Park Creek Campground?
Park Creek Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Park Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Upper Beaver Creek Campground (3.1 mi, first-come), Highway Springs Campground (3.3 mi, first-come), and Lower Beaver Creek Campground (3.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby