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Handcart Campground

8 ReviewsAdd Review

Hikers heading to Gibson Lake and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts exploring backcountry trails use Handcart Campground as their staging point in Pike National Forest. The campground sits along a dirt access road that can challenge low-clearance vehicles, with 11 first-come, first-served sites spread through a pine forest setting.

A creek runs directly through the campground, providing the constant sound of flowing water and access for cooling off during summer visits. Sites include fire pits and picnic tables, with vault toilets and a camp host managing both this location and nearby Hall Valley Campground. The $22 nightly fee reflects the developed amenities, though some campers find the sites positioned close together when the campground fills during peak season.

Winter access remains possible with four-wheel drive, making this one of the few year-round options in the area. LEE H. notes the campground is "full of Pines" with the creek providing a natural soundtrack. Early season visits in April and May offer more solitude, while summer months see heavier use and parking challenges.

Campers seeking different amenities can find places to camp around Pike National Forest or explore Sawmill Gulch just down the road for an alternative forest experience.

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Location

Public Campground

Handcart Campground is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

39.482365 N
105.799906 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time

Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Many guests appreciated the wooded creek-side setting and reasonable pricing at this first-come tent campground. Some safety concerns were noted about bullet damage to facilities and trees.

AThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Mar. 15, 2026

This is your spot for winter camping

One of the few campgrounds that is open year round. No one here in March. The road could be dicy depending on how the winter snow accumulation has gone but for 2026 it was passable in 4WD.

Site10
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by Aron A., March 15, 2026
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by Aron A., March 15, 2026
Michael W.
Reviewed Nov. 21, 2021

Not Boat-In

Awesome campground! Totally shaded and right next to the creek.

Month of VisitSeptember
m
Reviewed May. 20, 2021

Great site for early season

This is a great site for April in Colorado. Still plenty of snow around but this site is completely empty early season. In the summer it can get very full and sites are pretty close together. Parking is difficult when there are a lot of other campers. Road in has tons of potholes so low clearance vehicles should avoid. Hall valley CG is right up the road. (I enjoy hall valley more)

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by matt , May 20, 2021
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by matt , May 20, 2021
Kenny C.
Reviewed Sep. 2, 2020

Very beautiful but sketchy.

I must know, why is the bathroom full of bullet holes and it looks like someone was shooting there way in like trying to shoot someone inside, many trees in the surrounding camping area are full of bullet holes as well. We left (was not prepared for a possible shootout), I would love to come back but would really like to know what transpired at handcart.

Jordan B.
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2018

chilled, hidden, pretty

Stayed for two nights, had a great time hiking up to Gibson Lake, exploring the Pike Forest and chilling by the creek. This is a tent-only campground and a bit of a hidden gem.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by Jordan B., August 31, 2018
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by Jordan B., August 31, 2018
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by Jordan B., August 31, 2018
L
Reviewed Jul. 6, 2018

Awesome Hidden CG

This is one very nice Cg. Creek runs through the CG. Peace-full and full of Pines. One vault toilet. First come first served. About 10 sites with a camp host that also takes care of another CG 1 mile up the road. Hall CG. Four wheel drive trails up ahead and a trail-head to hike to a high elevation lake. Some might not want to pay $22 per night but it is still less expensive than most vacations...

Site6
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by LEE H., July 6, 2018
  • Basic CG video
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  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by LEE H., July 6, 2018
  • (4) View All
Shaun H.
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2018

Great little camp ground!

Handcart Campground is a great little camp ground right near Bailey Colorado. It definitely is a hidden gem down a long dirt road with 11 campsites available at first come, first serve at $22 dollars a night. It had great views and a awesome river right through the whole camp grounds. The site is in the woods and comes with a fire pit and picnic table.

SiteSite 2
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by Shaun H., June 16, 2018
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by Shaun H., June 16, 2018
  • Review photo of Handcart Campground by Shaun H., June 16, 2018
Showing results 1-8 of 8 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Handcart Campground?

Handcart Campground offers 11 tent-only sites in a shaded, pine-filled setting with a creek running through the grounds. The campground has one vault toilet but no showers or running water. Each site has basic amenities for tent camping. The campground is currently closed for renovations, scheduled to reopen in 2024. When operational, the peaceful creekside setting provides a natural camping experience with limited facilities, making it ideal for those seeking a more rustic outdoor adventure.

What hiking trails are accessible from Handcart Trailhead?

From Handcart Trailhead, hikers can access a trail leading to Gibson Lake, offering a rewarding high-elevation destination. The trailhead also serves as a gateway to various Pike National Forest trails and four-wheel drive routes that continue further into the forest. The surrounding area provides multiple opportunities for exploration, with trails suitable for different hiking abilities. These paths showcase the natural beauty of the Colorado mountains and provide access to alpine lakes and forest scenery.

Where is Handcart Campground located in Colorado?

Handcart Campground is located near Bailey, Colorado. It's nestled in Pike National Forest, situated down a long dirt road that may have numerous potholes, potentially making access challenging for low-clearance vehicles. The somewhat hidden location contributes to its reputation as a hidden gem in the area, offering a secluded camping experience in the Colorado mountains.

Is Handcart Campground first-come, first-served?

Yes, Handcart Campground operates entirely on a first-come, first-served basis. The 11 campsites cannot be reserved in advance, and they cost $22 per night. The campground has a host who manages both Handcart and Hall Campground located about a mile up the road. During summer months, the campground can fill quickly, with limited parking becoming problematic when at capacity. Early season visits typically offer better availability.

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