Highway 285 cuts through Pike National Forest at 10,001 feet, where Kenosha Pass Campground sits among dense stands of aspen and pine trees. The Forest Service facility operates from late May through September, offering 25 sites with full hookups that accommodate RVs up to 55 feet. Amanda M. notes it provides "super easy access for a quick trip to hit the Colorado Trail."
The campground's location brings both benefits and trade-offs. Sites are heavily wooded with substantial shade, though highway traffic creates a constant background hum that carries through the night. Several reviewers mention the road noise, describing it as steady white noise rather than intermittent disruption. The outer loop sites offer more privacy and distance from neighbors, while inner sites like 22 sit close to vault toilets and the campground road. Camp hosts maintain a visible presence, and the facilities stay notably clean throughout the season.
Section 6 of the Colorado Trail runs directly adjacent to the campground, making this a popular staging area for hikers and backpackers. The trailhead sits right next to the camping area, eliminating any drive to access this major long-distance route. Fall brings heavy visitation as the surrounding aspen groves turn golden, creating crowded conditions on September weekends. Water pumps provide potable water, though some campers report a metallic taste and prefer bringing their own supply.
Access requires navigating tight curves through thick forest, which can challenge larger RVs despite the campground's big-rig designation. Verizon cell service remains unavailable throughout the area. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend stays. The nearby Kenosha Pass East Dispersed area offers primitive alternatives for campers seeking quieter conditions away from highway noise. This campground works best for Colorado Trail access and short mountain getaways rather than extended stays.
Description
Overview
Kenosha Pass Campground is a small, conveniently-located campground heralded by backpackers on the Colorado Trail and by those looking for a scenic, mountain family getaway. Across the road from the campground entrance is the Kenosha Pass Interpretive Area, with an accessible interpretive trail showcasing wetlands and remnants of the South Park and Pacific Railroad. Kenosha Pass, the campground's namesake, is one of the nation's highest mountain passes, weaving over the spine of the Front Range from Jefferson to Grant. The route provides one of the primary access points to South Park, and boasts tremendous views of Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt.
Recreation
Excellent hiking, biking and horseback riding are available on the lengthy Colorado Trail, a 471-mile trail that extends from Denver to Durango. For a scenic drive, take in the views of the Kenosha Mountain Pass, then head to Guanella Pass for even more picture-perfect scenery.
Facilities
Kenosha Pass includes vault toilets and drinking water from a hand pump. Each site has a campfire ring and picnic table. Parking aprons are dirt and gravel. This campground__has 25 campsites at an elevation__of 10,000 feet with parking spurs 16-30 feet long.__Camping season begins in May and continues to early September. Facilities include__water, tables, vault toilets__and fire rings.All dates are weather dependent. Visitors may expect full service from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. The area also has an extended season when services such as water, trash or a host may not be available through in the fall.
Natural Features
At a 10,000 foot elevation, the region is commonly referred to as the High Country. Campsites are situated among lodgepole pine and aspen trees. Summer temperature are generally mild and cool, but the high elevation may cause very chilly nights.
Nearby Attractions
Jefferson Lake, known for its great fishing, is 10 miles north.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (303) 647-2366.
Charges & 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 Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. 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. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundKenosha Pass Campground is located in Colorado
Directions
From Denver, travel south on Highway 285 through Pine Junction and Bailey. Continue 17.5 miles past Bailey on Highway 285 to Kenosha Pass Campground at the summit of Kenosha Pass. The campground is on the right side of the highway.
Address
19316 Goddard Ranch Road
Morrison, CO 80465
Coordinates
39.4130556 N
105.7566667 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonPossible CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 4/3/26- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 4/3/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonPossible CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 4/3/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 4/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 16 min from Denver, CO
- 1 hr 25 min from Boulder, CO
- 1 hr 50 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 1 min from Fort Collins, CO
