Tucker Ponds Campground
This high-altitude campground (9,600 feet) is a single loop tucked into a grove of spruce trees adjoining an open grassy meadow. Many of the mature spruce trees within the campground have been killed by the Spruce Bark Beetle and were all removed during the spring of 2015. The two Tucker Ponds are across the road from the entrance to the campground and offer a good family fishing experience. The 2 Tucker Ponds are about 10 acres each. Rainbow trout (stocked) are usually plentiful and fishermen can also fish in Pass Creek by hiking west of the campground.
More like this: first-come in Colorado · tent only in Colorado
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | Single site - $26 to $30/night. Double site - $52 to $56/night. Day use - $12/day (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 - $26 to $30/night. Double site - $52 to $56/night. Day use - $12/day (picnicking). Fee envelopes and a collection box are provided near the entrance. |
| Rules | There is a 14-day camping limit. Visitors must have a valid Colorado fishing license to fish in Tucker Ponds and Pass Creek. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 37.4945° N, 106.7602° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 16.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Kristi's Mountain Sports ↗ | 47.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 2.2 miCdnst - Wolf Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 2.2 miLobo Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 5.4 miColumbine Picnic Site ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 2.3 miLobo0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.3 miTreasure Mountain ↗8.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.3 miSilver Creek ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.6 miBig Meadows H.C. Access0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.7 miBig Meadows Loop1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.2 miBonito Pass0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.2 miLobo Trailhead ↗Rio Grande National Forest
- 2.2 miCDNST - Wolf Creek Trailhead ↗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
- 9.5 miSouth San Juan Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 160,997 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 · 14.3 mi
- Spruce LodgeBuilding · South Fork · 14.4 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 Tucker Ponds Campground?
No. Tucker Ponds 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 Tucker Ponds Campground?
Single site - $26 to $30/night. Double site - $52 to $56/night. Day use - $12/day (picnicking).
Source: Forest Service
Is Tucker Ponds 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 Tucker Ponds Campground?
Tucker Ponds Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Tucker Ponds Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) (3.6 mi), Big Meadows Campground and Picnic Area (3.6 mi), and Park Creek Campground (6.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby