River access defines the experience at Happy Meadows, where eight sites spread along the South Platte River in Pike and San Isabel National Forests. This small campground sits just off Tarryall Road, though Brittyn notes "there will be rafters coming out of the water and through your site" at the waterfront locations.
Sites vary considerably in character. The riverside spots provide direct water access for tubing and fishing, while others sit in open terrain without shade. Most accommodate RVs up to 40 feet, though no pull-through sites exist. A camp host maintains the grounds and sells firewood on-site, as outside wood is prohibited to protect the forest from invasive insects. The vault toilet stays clean according to multiple reviews, and hand-pump water serves the campground.
Fishing happens directly from several sites, and the river proves popular with tubers who use the campground as an entry and exit point. Road noise stays minimal given the location between a county road and the river bend. Sites 6 and 8 function as group areas, with site 6 offering tent camping near the water.
For those seeking more remote options, Smith Acres provides a different experience just north of this location.
Description
Overview
Happy Meadows Campground is situated along the South Platte River near the Eleven Mile Reservoir and Eleven Mile Canyon. Excellent fishing, tubing, and hiking await visitors. Eleven Mile Canyon is rich in natural resources and historic significance. Originally called Granite Canyon, the towering gray walls rise 500 feet above the river.
Recreation
World-class trout fishing is a major attraction on the South Platte. Visitors can also venture to Florissant Fossil Beds to view fossils and petrified redwoods. Eleven Mile Canyon and the Tarryall Valley offer scenic drives with impressive views.
Facilities
Happy Meadows offers seven reservable RV campsites. Each site has a picnic table and a camp fire ring. Drinking water from a water pump and a vault toilet is available.
Natural Features
Campsites are a short walk to the lovely South Platte, a major tributary of the Platte River that runs through Colorado and Nebraska. As part of Pike Forest, Happy Meadows enjoys abundant and varied wildlife, seven peaks above 14,000 feet, called fourteeners, and miles of great trails.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Nearby Attractions
The town of Lake George is just 3 miles away, offering a general store, fish tackle and bait shop,__and cabin rentals.
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 CampgroundHappy Meadows is located in Colorado
Directions
From Denver and Colorado Springs, take I-25 to Highwy 24 west toward Woodland Park. At Lake George on US-24, turn north on County Road 77, also known as the Tarryall road. Travel about a mile and turn east on County Road 112. Continue on County Road 112 turning right at dead end. The campground will be on the right after about a mile.
Coordinates
39.0377333 N
105.6073972 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 4/3/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 10 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 1 hr 31 min from Pueblo, CO
- 1 hr 59 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 9 min from Boulder, CO












