Ansel Watrous

Lower Ansel Watrous campground in Poudre Canyon, 22 miles or so west of Fort Collins, CO. It is a very popular campground. Cleanest vault toilet bathroom I've ever been in. It even smelled good. Kinda creepy saying that, but it was. The campground looks good and it is pretty but we left early, didn't even spend one night there (we had a two night reservation). It's right off Highway 14, so there is motor traffic noise, but that wasn't what made us leave. It was buggy, but that wasn't what made us leave. There was no potable water available simply because the authorities have not monitored or filled out the proper paper work (the violation was in 2018 and the posted letter states they might fix the issue by 2023) but that wasn't why we left. It was the numerous non-campers driving through the campground scoping it out and a drugged out zombie couple from California "camping" out of their compact car next to us. When they asked for change I decided it was just a bit too much. I knew I wouldn't sleep well and home was only three hours away. With no cell service my gut feelings told me to leave, so we did. How this happens is that some of the camping sites were first come first serve and not reservable. So, it attracts vagrants. This might only be a problem for the lower campground which is smaller, isolated from the main or upper Watrous and more directly off the highway and has no host site to monitor things.

Perfect small campground, site was amazing and the view of the river was my favorite part of this location. Not a great area to fish, River is moving to fast. Camp host does not bother you like many other locations!

Just one of our absolute favorite places! It's close and beautiful and simple... Wait no I mean it was terrible you would hate it! Wink wink nudge nudge!! =)

Love this campground! Bathrooms SUPER clean! Staff was friendly. Don’t worry about excessive highway noise..the river drowns it out ! I wish I would have stayed longer! Will be back!!

Very nice and clean campsite. Campsite host very helpful and keeps bathrooms clean.

Wonderful camp host! She went over and above to help us have a great camp trip. Bathrooms were clean and the camp site had beautiful views of the river. Only downside would be the large trucks that go by early in the morning causing a bit of noise.

Campsite was good. Excellent view of the river. Good access.

NA

Wish could have had 2 nights! Hiked, fish, enjoyed the outdoors.

We stayed in the upper loop at site 8. We had private access to the river and were close to the bathrooms. It was really a beautiful site. The only downside would be the closeness of the main road. We hiked Young Gulch trail too, which is right across the street, with our 3 little ones.