Ansel Watrous
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee Ng
Ansel Watrous Campground is located on the Cache la Poudre River, 22 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Colo., along Highway 14. Visitors enjoy the area for its great rafting, fishing and hiking opportunities.
The campground offers accessible single-family sites, each equipped with a 12-by-15 tent pad, a picnic table and a campfire ring with grill.
Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Dead and downed firewood may be gathered in the forest or purchased from the campground host.
Notifications and Alerts
EXTRA VEHICLE FEES: One vehicle is included in your reservation. Any additional vehicles will be charged $8.00 per vehicle, per night and will be collected by the camp host.
- The water at our facility has been shutoff for the winter season. Please bring all the water you’ll need for your visit, including drinking water.
Need to Know
The campground's lower loop is not accessible to trailers longer than 20 feet, due to a hairpin switchback near the campground entrance. The parking length ranges from 25 to 45 feet in upper loop. RVs, trailers or other vehicles must fit on the parking spur. Driving or parking off road is not permitted.
- Drinking water is available at the campground until Sept. 28th each year.
- All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis before and after the reservation season
- Click here for more information on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
No RV water connections are available. Come with your RV/trailer water tank filled. Filling at campground hydrants cross-contaminates the system and is not allowed.
- 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.
Sites 8, 9, 10, 14 will only fit one vehicle. Two vehicles may fit on the other sites if you're tent camping.
ONLY 8 people are allowed on each site. Check in with the host prior to setting up camp. Tents must fit on the pads provided. All campsites with a tent pad have a bear locker.
All campsites must be occupied within 26 hours of the beginning of the reservation. If not present the site will be rented by first come first serve basis.
EXTRA VEHICLE FEES: One vehicle is included in your reservation. Any additional vehicles will be charged $8.00 per vehicle per night and will be collected by the camphost. There is not a way to pay for extra vehicles when you make your reservation. One vehicle consists of one camper being towed by vehicle, or any other vehicle towed behind camper. One van or one truck with camper attached counts as one vehicle.
Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
Natural Features
The canyon's vegetation varies from dense forests to open meadows and the campground is surrounded by steep mountains. The campground is situated among Ponderosa pines on the banks of the Cache la Poudre River, Colorado's first river designated as a National Wild and Scenic River.
Recreation
The Cache la Poudre River offers whitewater rafting and fishing. Anglers cast for brown, cutthroat and rainbow trout, among other species of fish.
Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are in the surrounding area, including the 4-mile Young Gulch Trail.
Other popular activities enjoyed by visitors to the campground include birding and wildlife viewing.
Changes & Cancellations
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.
Contact Information
Mailing
9054 U.S Hwy 285 Morrison CO 80465
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 970-295-6700
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Fort Collins, take Highway 14 northwest for 13 miles.
Available Campsites
- Site 002, Loop UPPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop UPPER, Type Walk To
- Site 011, Loop LOWER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop UPPER, Type Walk To
- Site 004, Loop UPPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop UPPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop UPPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop UPPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop LOWER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop LOWER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop LOWER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop UPPER, Type Walk To
- Site 016, Loop LOWER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop UPPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop LOWER, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop LOWER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop UPPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
