Arapaho Bay

Such a beautiful scenery, very clean, lake just half a mile from camp site. Wild life was amazing woke up to moose outside tent. Definitely would recommend Arapahoe bay ..... Ill be going back next year

10 miles of dirt road to get there

Beautiful campground! So many nice views. Super clean. Service wasn’t too bad either. Bathrooms very clean too.

Great campground. The campground host is very helpful.

This was the worst camping experience in Colorado we have ever had and we camp a lot. We arrived to our site in Big Rock Arapahoe Bay at 6 pm on a Friday after a two and half hour drive from Denver pulling our camp trailer through traffic. I was happy to be there well before dark in time to set up our site which we booked to be close to friends. The plan was to share meals, kayaks, and camp time with our buddies in the other site. When we arrived, another crew was set up in the spot we reserved and their tag said they were to check out on Saturday (the next day). We went to talk to the camp host to see what the situation was. This camp host was the rudest, most dismissive, ugliest woman I have ever spoken with. When I approached her to ask about the site, she immediately went on the defensive and started making strange excuses for why she gave someone else the site we had booked weeks in advance. She said the only site that was available was a site directly adjacent to the roadway and furthest away from our friends site. When I asked if we could please be moved back to the site we booked and that we would be willing to move in the morning after the other group had left, she refused. She also made no apologies for not contacting us in advance to let us know she had given our site to someone else. Her entire demeanor was extremely off-putting and her behavior very odd... she was completely unapologetic and aggressive about the fact that she would not help us and she was not sorry. She actually encouraged us to leave and go home. In her words... "you can take this site or you can leave; I'm not dealing with this because I am off-duty". And she had a group of friends partying in her trailer, so I don't blame her for wanting to be "off duty", but how can you possibly treat someone like that when you caused the confusion and inconvenience. And then to be so rude to the people who are then effected by your mismanagement of the campground. We will not be back anytime soon.

Of the three camping loops at Arapaho Bay, the Big Rock loop is definitely our favorite. With tall shade trees, convenient water and bathroom locations, and easy access, we definitely recommend this campground!

The Big Rock campground is fine - nice views of the surrounding mountains and somewhat shaded, with plenty to do (Monarch Lake is fantastic), and far from noisy/main roads (too far?). My beef is with the campground host who is the most difficult and unpleasant person to have to interact with. We showed up around 8:30-9pm on a Thursday night for a Thursday reservation. Our spot had been recently taken and I was confused if we were even in the right spot. I went to the host to understand what was happening (whose camper was dark) and quickly got scolded for not showing up on time. I had changed the reservation a couple days ago (Tues) to show up Thur, rather than Wed, but she didn't care about any confirmation or email I had. Her record said I was supposed to show up on Wed, so she gave my spot away. She was also quick to point out that if I had a problem with her, I could bring it up with the Federal government. All this while I have a wife and two small kids waiting in the car, in the dark, to set up camp. My wife couldn't believe her behavior as well. I even returned the next morning to ask/understand if we could have our spot for the next two nights, and she went in her camper to swear (F-bomb this and that), before coming out to tell me again how I was wrong and should complain to someone else. I talked to her manager/supervisor (who was only slightly more helpful), and eventually it was sorted out (I was right and there was a system issue), and we were able to stay the next two nights. Regardless of the system issue, the hostess' behavior was atrocious and unacceptable. I didn't get the impression that this was a one-time issue for her. She should not have a job where she is allowed to deal with people. If you can avoid having to interact with her, your stay should be fine.

Nice campground and reservation is recommended. Pit toilet was clean and water was available. Boat ramp was closed due to low water level.

Clean facilities. A friendly camp host Mick who introduced himself and was around the camp area daily. Grateful for beautiful camp area even after nearby Troublesome Fire of 2020.

Wonderful. Spacious sites. Not much privacy but so close to Rocky Mtn Ntl Park it hardly mattered. Camp host was very nice and her tri-pawed pup Grace is as sweet as can be.