Campsite near creek surrounded by trees
Campsite in trees with tents, fire pit and picnic table
Campsite near creek surrounded by trees
Campsite with Chalk Cliffs in background
Campsite with small camp trailer with trees in background

Available sites

11 total sites

About Chalk Lake

Chalk Lake Campground is located in beautiful Chaffee County, Colorado. This popular facility sits near Chalk Lake and is within 4 mi of a private hot springs resort, making it an ideal location for rest and relaxation. "First come, first served" does not necessarily mean that the site will be available when you get there. Someone may get there before you. This is a popular campground and is normally full starting on Friday, sometimes as early as Thursday, so plan accordingly.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Swimming

Swimming

Summer

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 Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

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

11 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 002, Loop: CHAL RV
Pet Friendly · 46 × 17 ft · Gravel
🚐 003, Loop: CHAL RV
Pet Friendly · 18 × 21 ft · Gravel
🚐 010, Loop: CHAL RV
Pet Friendly · 41 × 17 ft · Gravel
⛺ 011, Loop: CHAL Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 012, Loop: CHAL Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 013, Loop: CHAL Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 015, Loop: CHAL RV
Pet Friendly · 59 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐 016, Loop: CHAL RV
Pet Friendly · 35 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐 017, Loop: CHAL RV
Pet Friendly · 62 × 15 ft · Gravel
🚐 018, Loop: CHAL RV
Pet Friendly · 47 × 14 ft · Gravel
🚐 019, Loop: CHAL RV
Pet Friendly · 44 × 16 ft · Gravel

Reviews (192)

What Guests Are Saying

Chalk Lake Campground is praised for its beautiful scenery, friendly hosts, and well-maintained facilities, making it a favorite among campers. Many visitors appreciate the spacious campsites, especially those near the creek and lake, as well as the access to hiking trails. While some sites are close together, which may affect privacy, the overall experience, including clean bathrooms and the stunning views, leaves guests eager to return.

Review Summary

4.6
192 reviews
5
74.5%
143
4
16.1%
31
3
5.2%
10
2
1.0%
2
1
3.1%
6

Anna N

Verified

July 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: CHAL

3

The camp ground is located in an absolutely stunning valley with great views from all the campsites. We are tent campers and the weekend we were there, nearly all the other sites were being used by campers with RVs and generators that ran all day until the quiet hours at 10pm. The noise during the day from the generators was not great. It really took away from the beauty of the location. Maybe this was just an issue the weekend we were there.

Anna N

Verified

July 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: CHAL

3

The camp ground is located in an absolutely stunning valley with great views from all the campsites. We are tent campers and the weekend we were there, nearly all the other sites were being used by campers with RVs and generators that ran all day until the quiet hours at 10pm. The noise during the day from the generators was not great. It really took away from the beauty of the location. Maybe this was just an issue the weekend we were there.

James C

Verified

June 18, 2024 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: CHAL

5

First of all, Randy the camp host was awesome. He is very good at his job and truly cares about keeping the place clean. We arrived to a freshly raked and clean campsite. The tent pad was free of pine needles, rocks and sticks and he even raked all the pine needles away from the entire area. He also had some good stories to share and was very helpful with ideas on things to do in the area. The site is next to the river which was awesome and the views of the mountains were in every direction. The bear lockers are convenient, trash bins were close and clean and this place had the cleanest bathrooms of all the campgrounds we've stayed in. Randy even adds solar lights to the bathrooms at night. At this site there was plenty of trees for shade and for hanging hammocks next to the site and next to the river. Firewood was also available from the camp host. If we are back in the area, we would absolutely come back to this campground and site.

James C

Verified

June 18, 2024 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: CHAL

5

First of all, Randy the camp host was awesome. He is very good at his job and truly cares about keeping the place clean. We arrived to a freshly raked and clean campsite. The tent pad was free of pine needles, rocks and sticks and he even raked all the pine needles away from the entire area. He also had some good stories to share and was very helpful with ideas on things to do in the area. The site is next to the river which was awesome and the views of the mountains were in every direction. The bear lockers are convenient, trash bins were close and clean and this place had the cleanest bathrooms of all the campgrounds we've stayed in. Randy even adds solar lights to the bathrooms at night. At this site there was plenty of trees for shade and for hanging hammocks next to the site and next to the river. Firewood was also available from the camp host. If we are back in the area, we would absolutely come back to this campground and site.

BG D

Verified

June 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: CHAL

5

Amazing site! We were right on the creek with the view of three separate waterfalls and a short walk to Chalk Lake. Randy, the site Host, was great too! Definitely going back.

BG D

Verified

June 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: CHAL

5

Amazing site! We were right on the creek with the view of three separate waterfalls and a short walk to Chalk Lake. Randy, the site Host, was great too! Definitely going back.

Frederick W

Verified

June 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: CHAL

5

We enjoyed our 3 day stay in the campground. Almost all of the sites are good and well spaced for privacy. The ones along the creek offer the sounds of the water as well. The host, Randy, is nice and helpful. Firewood is offered in the campground, I think it was $10 per bundle. Everything was clean and quiet. The vault toilets were kept very clean and very low odor which is a big deal. Proximity to the Mt Princeton Hot Springs was nice, not just for the option to soak, but also they have a great general store with food (packaged/canned items, some basic groceries, coffee, and some hot food llke daily soups and Pizza). The store also sold hats, shirts, sunscreen, sundries and some limited fishing and hiking supplies. They have nice hotel rooms there as well if you like, and a nice restaurant for a fancier meal. It was also a short drive to St Elmo and Buena Vista. We really enjoyed the town of Buena Vista with a great main street shopping and dining scene. Plenty of nice hikes nearby, especially recommend Agnes Vaille falls (the falls can be seen in the distance from the campground!). Beautiful.

John G

Verified

June 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: CHAL

5

The campground is a favorite go-to for my wife and I. Great setting! The campground is small (18 sites) and quiet. The host Randy is awesome…very friendly and accommodating!!

Frederick W

Verified

June 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: CHAL

5

We enjoyed our 3 day stay in the campground. Almost all of the sites are good and well spaced for privacy. The ones along the creek offer the sounds of the water as well. The host, Randy, is nice and helpful. Firewood is offered in the campground, I think it was $10 per bundle. Everything was clean and quiet. The vault toilets were kept very clean and very low odor which is a big deal. Proximity to the Mt Princeton Hot Springs was nice, not just for the option to soak, but also they have a great general store with food (packaged/canned items, some basic groceries, coffee, and some hot food llke daily soups and Pizza). The store also sold hats, shirts, sunscreen, sundries and some limited fishing and hiking supplies. They have nice hotel rooms there as well if you like, and a nice restaurant for a fancier meal. It was also a short drive to St Elmo and Buena Vista. We really enjoyed the town of Buena Vista with a great main street shopping and dining scene. Plenty of nice hikes nearby, especially recommend Agnes Vaille falls (the falls can be seen in the distance from the campground!). Beautiful.

John G

Verified

June 5, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: CHAL

5

The campground is a favorite go-to for my wife and I. Great setting! The campground is small (18 sites) and quiet. The host Randy is awesome…very friendly and accommodating!!

Location & Directions for Chalk Lake

Salida Ranger District, Salida, CO 81201 United States

Elevation: 2,669 ft

Getting There

From Buena Vista, Colorado, take Highway 285 south to Nathrop. Turn west on County Road 162 and travel 8 mi to the campground.

Nearest town

Salida, CO - 25 mi

About 35 min to downtown

Highway access

Chalk Lake Camp is accessible via Highway 285, which is approximately 8 miles from the campground when traveling from Nathrop.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Explore Salida, CO

Population: 5,861

Nearby larger city

Colorado Springs, CO

Approx. 76 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 7,051 ft

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