Kenosha Pass Campground

KENOSHA PASS CAMPGROUND

Part of Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands

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.

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

Jefferson Lake, known for its great fishing, is 10 miles north.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (303) 647-2366.

Important Notices

  • Thunderstorms are common; take extra precautions for lightning
  • This is a high elevation facility, please use caution when traveling from lower elevations
  • 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
  • Vehicles must fit on parking spur
  • No firearms or fireworks
  • No RV hookups
  • 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. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

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

  • WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
  • HIKING - Hiking
  • FISHING - Fishing
  • CAMPING - Camping
  • HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE - Historic Sites
  • BIKING - Mountain Biking

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.

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

19316 Goddard Ranch Road
Morrison, CO 80465

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery