Overview

Facilities

Natural Features

Recreation

Nearby Attractions

Contact Info

Important Notices

• Alert for Reservation Holders: There is a one-time fee of $11.00 to enter Jefferson Lake Recreation Area in which your campground is located. You will only have to pay this fee once for the duration of your stay.

  There is an Annual pass available for purchase here. The fee for the 2025 calendar year is $100.00.

• It is difficult to access Jefferson Lake Recreation Area during the winter months; the roads to this site are not maintained for snow throughout the winter.
• Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
• This is a high elevation facility, please use caution when traveling from lower elevations
• No RV hookups are available
• No pay phones are available
• For more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests, click here

• Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Firewood is available to purchase on site, depending on any fire ban. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

• The use, sale, and possession of all forms of cannabis in the United States is illegal under federal law on federal land.

• Shooting of any type is prohibited in the campgroung and Jefferson Lake Recreation Area
• ATV's and off road vehicles are prohibited in the campround and Jefferson Lake Recreation Area

• Dogs must be on a leash or tethered at all times.

• Check-out time is 12:00pm. Check-in time is 2:00pm

• Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $11.00/night for a third vehicle. $11.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight.

• Firewood is available for sale at host site for $10.00/bundle.

Notifications and Alerts

• PIKE-SAN ISABEL NATIONAL FORESTS & CIMARRON AND COMANCHE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS 

  STAGE 1 FIRE PROHIBITIONS  

  PROHIBITIONS

  Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) in the Leadville, Salida, San Carlos, Pikes Peak, South Park and South Platte Ranger Districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, hereinafter referred to as the “Described Area”:

  • Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in 

    • A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas); 

    • A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or

    • A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device. 36 CFR § 261.52(a).

  • Using an explosive. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b)

  • Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. 36 CFR § 261.52(d)

  • Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. 36 CFR § 261.52(h)

  EXEMPTIONS

  Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

  • Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

  • Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting service in the performance of an official duty.

  DESCRIBED AREA

  All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the exterior boundaries of the Pikes Peak, South Platte, South Park, Leadville, Salida and San Carlos Ranger Districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, as depicted on the map attached as Exhibit A of this Order.

  PURPOSE

  The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.

  IMPLEMENTATION

  • This Order shall be in effect from August 21, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. through August November 14, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded.

Available Activities

• HIKING - Hiking
• FISHING - Fishing
• CAMPING - Camping

Directions

From US Highway 285 at Jefferson, take County Road 35 north to County Road 37 and turn right. Pay the user fee at Jefferson Lake Recreation Area entrance station and continue on the road to the campground.

Cancellation Policy

<p>Cancellations</p> <p>Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. </p> <p>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.</p> <p>Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.</p> <p>No-Shows</p> <p>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.</p> <p>No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.  </p> <p>Refunds</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>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.</p>

Contact Information

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip