SOUTHSIDE CAMPGROUND - LAKE ISABEL
SOUTHSIDE CAMPGROUND - LAKE ISABEL
SOUTHSIDE CAMPGROUND - LAKE ISABEL
SOUTHSIDE CAMPGROUND - LAKE ISABEL
SOUTHSIDE CAMPGROUND - LAKE ISABEL

Available sites

5 total sites

About Southside Campground - Lake Isabel

Southside Campground is a small RV facility situated in the Wet Mountains by Lake Isabel. The popular recreation area offers a selection of hiking trails and great fishing and paddle boating on Lake Isabel. Lake Isabel was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s, for the purpose of recreation.The 40-acre lake is stocked with trout and the nearby St. Charles Creek offers additional fishing opportunities.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Paddling

Paddling

Spring Summer Fall

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

5 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 002, Loop: LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 003, Loop: LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 004, Loop: LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 005, Loop: LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
🚐 006, Loop: LAKE RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through

Reviews (70)

What Guests Are Saying

Southside Campground at Lake Isabel offers a beautiful and clean location with friendly hosts who provide helpful information about local wildlife. Guests appreciate easy access to fishing and biking, contributing to a wonderful experience. While the campsite spacing can be tight, the overall ambiance remains peaceful and enjoyable.

Review Summary

3.6
70 reviews
5
42.9%
30
4
14.3%
10
3
14.3%
10
2
17.1%
12
1
11.4%
8

lou anne t

Verified

June 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: LAKE

1

Lake Isabel looked to be a beautiful lake with easy access to enjoy a sunset. Unfortunately we choose not to stay once we arrived the campground. We understood the sites were very close together and there would be minimal privacy. There are only eight sites. As we entered, the first site had a man camping in his car. There were multiple beer cans next to car and he appeared to be passed out in the drivers seat, door open. The other sites that were occupied had several people at each and more than one vehicle. It appeared more than one family was at each site. The site next to our reserved site had approximately twelve people. They had overflowed into other sites including having their large beer-pong game set up in our camper site. We made the choice to go elsewhere and not stay with the overcrowding and noise from these groups.

lou anne t

Verified

June 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: LAKE

1

Lake Isabel looked to be a beautiful lake with easy access to enjoy a sunset. Unfortunately we choose not to stay once we arrived the campground. We understood the sites were very close together and there would be minimal privacy. There are only eight sites. As we entered, the first site had a man camping in his car. There were multiple beer cans next to car and he appeared to be passed out in the drivers seat, door open. The other sites that were occupied had several people at each and more than one vehicle. It appeared more than one family was at each site. The site next to our reserved site had approximately twelve people. They had overflowed into other sites including having their large beer-pong game set up in our camper site. We made the choice to go elsewhere and not stay with the overcrowding and noise from these groups.

isaac g

Verified

June 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: LAKE

2

The area is beautiful. We visit multiple times during the year and have always loved the hosts. This year we were greeted with attitude and unwelcome remarks and treatment. We will be canceling our upcoming trip because I'm so embarrassed by the treatment my family was given. Which is a shame due to the great traditions we have made at Lake Isabelle. I guess "new management " is not concerned with treating people with courtesy and respect.

isaac g

Verified

June 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: LAKE

2

The area is beautiful. We visit multiple times during the year and have always loved the hosts. This year we were greeted with attitude and unwelcome remarks and treatment. We will be canceling our upcoming trip because I'm so embarrassed by the treatment my family was given. Which is a shame due to the great traditions we have made at Lake Isabelle. I guess "new management " is not concerned with treating people with courtesy and respect.

isaac g

Verified

June 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: LAKE

2

The area is beautiful. We visit multiple times during the year and have always loved the hosts. This year we were greeted with attitude and unwelcome remarks and treatment. We will be canceling our upcoming trip because I'm so embarrassed by the treatment my family was given. Which is a shame due to the great traditions we have made at Lake Isabelle. I guess "new management " is not concerned with treating people with courtesy and respect.

DeAnna W

Verified

June 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: LAKE

4

We were pleasantly surprised how beautiful this area is. Only one issue but minor. In reviews and descriptions it needs to be stated how narrow the pull throughs are. We only had about a foot and a half on either side and there are raised areas on both sides of the trailer. If you are too close on either side it is difficult to get to levelers and some lower storage. Overall though our experience was good.

DeAnna W

Verified

June 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: LAKE

4

We were pleasantly surprised how beautiful this area is. Only one issue but minor. In reviews and descriptions it needs to be stated how narrow the pull throughs are. We only had about a foot and a half on either side and there are raised areas on both sides of the trailer. If you are too close on either side it is difficult to get to levelers and some lower storage. Overall though our experience was good.

DeAnna W

Verified

June 1, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: LAKE

4

We were pleasantly surprised how beautiful this area is. Only one issue but minor. In reviews and descriptions it needs to be stated how narrow the pull throughs are. We only had about a foot and a half on either side and there are raised areas on both sides of the trailer. If you are too close on either side it is difficult to get to levelers and some lower storage. Overall though our experience was good.

Kevin B

Verified

September 18, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: LAKE

5

I'm sure we would have loved this campground if we could've gotten there. Unfortunately there was a snow storm in the first week of September that kept us from making up the mountain.

Kevin B

Verified

September 18, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: LAKE

5

I'm sure we would have loved this campground if we could've gotten there. Unfortunately there was a snow storm in the first week of September that kept us from making up the mountain.

Location & Directions for Southside Campground - Lake Isabel

San Carlos Ranger District, Canon City, CO 81212 United States

Elevation: 2,610 ft

Getting There

From Pueblo, drive 25 mi south on Interstate 25 to exit 74. Go west 18 mi on state Highway 165. Turn into the main entrance at Lake Isabel Recreation Area. The campground is the first within the recreation area on the left.

Nearest town

Canon City, CO - 49 mi

About over 1 hr (68 min) to downtown

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

  • Real-time information is not available; contact the local Ranger District for inquiries.

Site capacity

  • Maximum of 8 people per campsite with specific limits on tents and vehicles.

Vehicles & parking

  • Vehicles longer than 30 feet may have difficulty navigating the campground.

Wildlife & food storage

  • Store food properly to avoid attracting bears.

Safety & rules

  • Exercise caution when traveling to this high elevation campground.
  • Firearms and fireworks are prohibited on the campground.

General

  • For more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests, click here

Fires & fuel

  • Do not move firewood to prevent the spread of pests; obtain it locally.

Fees & deposits

  • Two vehicles are included in the camping fee; additional vehicles incur a $10 fee.

Accessibility

  • Cellphone service is unavailable at the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 7, 2026

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Explore Canon City, CO

Population: 17,122

Nearby larger city

Pueblo, CO

Approx. 31 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 5,335 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service