Cache la Poudre River
Ansel Watrous entrance sign
Ansel Watrous Camp Site 15
Ansel Watrous road
Ansel Watrous Camp Site 15 Overview

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
River Access River Access

Available sites

13 total sites

About Ansel Watrous

Ansel Watrous Campground is located on the Cache la Poudre River, 22 mi northwest of Fort Collins, Colo., along Highway 14. Visitors enjoy the area for its great rafting, fishing and hiking opportunities.

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 open - Sep 20 to Dec 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
River Access River Access
Water Access

Water Access

  • River Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

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

13 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 002, Loop: UPPER RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 003, Loop: UPPER RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 006, Loop: UPPER RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 007, Loop: UPPER RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 008, Loop: UPPER Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
⛺ 009, Loop: UPPER Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
⛺ 010, Loop: UPPER Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Yes shade
🚐 012, Loop: LOWER RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 013, Loop: LOWER RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 014, Loop: LOWER Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly
🚐 015, Loop: LOWER RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 016, Loop: LOWER RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 017, Loop: LOWER RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews (219)

What Guests Are Saying

Ansel Watrous campground offers a beautiful and well-maintained setting by the river, providing enjoyable camping experiences with friendly hosts and great access for fishing and hiking. Many guests appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities and the peaceful atmosphere, making it a favorite spot for relaxation and outdoor activities. However, some reviewers noted issues with site reservations and occasional road noise, but these concerns did not overshadow the overall positive experiences shared by most campers.

Review Summary

4.5
219 reviews
5
69.4%
152
4
18.3%
40
3
7.3%
16
2
1.8%
4
1
3.2%
7

Rhonda M

Verified

September 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: LOWER

5

Fantastic - a little loud from the road, but overall - really great

John O

Verified

September 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: LOWER

5

Everything was great

Kristy R

Verified

September 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: LOWER

3

Loved the river and the camp boat was friendly. Couldn't sleep because people were playing loud music past midnight, with a 10pm quiet time.

Kara G

Verified

September 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: LOWER

4

Went on a holiday weekend! Road traffic was very loud late into the night and early morning. River was beautiful and fun to swim in! Be wary - site 14 is very small! We had a 4 person tent with a “porch” that fit perfectly. No actual back-in parking spot. Site 14 has some poison ivy sticking into the trail leading to the stream. It was great being close to the bathrooms, but sometimes the smell wandered over on the breeze.

Charmayne C

Verified

September 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: UPPER

5

Beautiful, clean, peaceful with river sounds

Anthony W

Verified

August 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: LOWER

4

We love camping here!

Shikha B

Verified

August 25, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: LOWER

5

Amazing spot! the only drawback is the noise from the main road

David C

Verified

August 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: UPPER

4

Great spot. Bring ear plugs

David B

Verified

August 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: LOWER

4

Nice camp sites near the river and close access to the Young Gulch Trail head. Also, within a few miles of rafting, food, bar, and music at The Mishawaka. Bathrooms clean, toilet paper on hand. Sites were all level and very well kept. Sites had fire pits, but fires were not allowed (thankfully) when I camped there, due to the very high risk of forest fire. Also, a hand pump was in the campground for yielding very drinkable water. Campground had heavy metal garbage bins with for trash. Bear resistant heavy gauge lockers on each site for food, toiletries and scented items. Bring your own lock. Camp site monitor and caretaker monitor was very personable and professional. I would go back.

Rebecca K

Verified

August 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: UPPER

4

Site 8 was great. "walk in" but right next to the spot and had the best little beach. As expected, the whole campground is right next to the highway and there is a lot of noise from buses going to the Mish and rafting.

Location & Directions for Ansel Watrous

9054 U.S Hwy 285, Morrison, CO 80465 United States

Elevation: 1,780 ft

Getting There

From Fort Collins, take Highway 14 northwest for 13 mi.

Nearest town

Morrison, CO - 99 mi

About over 1 hr (107 min) to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible via Highway 14, which is a major road leading northwest from Fort Collins.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 19, 2026

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Explore Morrison, CO

Population: 412

Nearby larger city

Fort Collins, CO

Approx. 16 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 5,764 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service