About Mount Princeton
Number of accommodations: 13
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
13 Sites Available
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Site Details
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13 Sites Available
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Reviews (100)
What Guests Are Saying
Mount Princeton campground is praised for its beautiful location along Chalk Creek, clean and well-maintained sites, and friendly camp host, Randy, who ensures a welcoming atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the variety of outdoor activities available nearby, including hiking and fishing, making it a great base for exploration. While some reported occasional odors from pit toilets and challenges with water availability, the overall experience is considered excellent, with many guests eager to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Mount Princeton campground is praised for its beautiful location along Chalk Creek, clean and well-maintained sites, and friendly camp host, Randy, who ensures a welcoming atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the variety of outdoor activities available nearby, including hiking and fishing, making it a great base for exploration. While some reported occasional odors from pit toilets and challenges with water availability, the overall experience is considered excellent, with many guests eager to return.
Review Summary
Wayne V
VerifiedJuly 25, 2020 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: MOUN
It was good except our campsite was next to restroom and the map we used to pick campsite showed it in a nother location
KEVIN M
VerifiedJuly 24, 2020 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: MOUN
Great place to stay.
Tom H
VerifiedJuly 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: MOUN
Two of our three sites had been given away to other campers when we arrived. Everyone in our group was forced into a smaller tent site. I did receive a refund but am not thrilled with this experience.
William O
VerifiedJuly 16, 2020 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: MOUN
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Frank P
VerifiedJuly 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: MOUN
One of mine favorite camp grounds in Colorado
Thomas B
VerifiedJune 21, 2020 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: MOUN
Most everything at the campsite was good. One thing that was annoying was that the map showing the camp site did not accurately show was the restroom was. Obviously it moved side the map / picture was added at it was right next to our campsite. For the first day we were down wind from it and it was not a pleasant smell. After that the wind changed and it was ok.
Eric B
VerifiedJune 13, 2020 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: MOUN
Great small campground. The river (Chalk Creek) was roaring with snowmelt. Bathroom were vault toilets but they were extremely clean--they clean them 3 times a day. Only a few minutes from St. Elmo ghost town, and a few minutes from the hot springs. We will stay again for sure.
christine a
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: MOUN
While the reservations system for the campgrounds are rather poor, the campground itself is very good. The campground host Chubby is fantastic. He and his wife work very hard to make sure everyone has a good stay. I saw Chubby help out a lot of folks that came in with big campers. The website doesn't show the size of the campsite and so some people were unaware that they booked a smaller site that wouldn't fit their rig. The website is mediocre at best. The campground hosts at Mount Princeton are excellent!
Joshua G
VerifiedJanuary 14, 2020 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: MOUN
Our site (I believe it was #9), which was next to the restrooms, had such a strong stench it was nauseating. We stayed at peak of summer, which did not help, but also meant there was no other campsites available nearby. Luckily we had hikes and other activities planned during the day, but this made hanging out at the site, making dinner, etc., an extremely uncomfortable experience for us and our guests who had traveled from out of state for the trip. We noticed that the restrooms were in dire need of septic service, which likely contributed to the problem, but when brought to the attention of the campsite care taker, he just laughed and said "that's how it goes with campsite #9!" I have had other sites next to the restroom, but never experienced a downwind stench like that! Just wanted to put this warning out to other campers, don't book sites #9 - 11! Definitely a shame, because the campsite is perfectly situated in a beautiful location.
Keith S
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: MOUN
Fantastic place to camp! Dive site I picked was not large enough for my 10 man tent, but would fit in sideways. Need better signs to find location. Over all we could not of found a better place to set up camp. Restrooms clean and campground itself was amazing. Small hikes along the stream and out of the way of major tourists.
Location Mount Princeton
Address:
Salida Ranger District Office
Salida, CO, 81201
United States
Latitude & Longitude: 38.7142 / -106.223
Elevation: 2621 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
The water system is closed at this campground. No water is available. Please bring all water necessary for the duration of your stay. Water can be obtained at nearby Chalk Lake CG if necessary. |
| General |
Do not climb chalk cliffs |
| General |
Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating |
| General |
This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations |
| General |
No hookups available |
| General |
Click here for more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests |
| General |
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org. |
| General |
If reservations are not available, some campsites are first come-first served, also called "Walk-up" sites. First-come, first-served sites must be occupied the SAME NIGHT they are paid for. These sites usually fill Friday evenings and through the weekends. Due to the remote nature of campgrounds, calling to check availability prior to arrival is not possible. |
| General |
Camping and campfires are restricted in the Chalk Creek Canyon to the four developed campgrounds only. Cascade, Chalk Lake and Mount Princeton campgrounds take reservations. Iron City campground is first-come, first-served only. |
| General |
Campers unable to find a campsite in a developed campground may camp above the townsite of St. Elmo on County Road 267( 4-wheel drive only) or near the Hancock townsite located 5 miles south on Forest Road 295. Additional camping is available in the Browns Creek area south of County Road 162 at the junction of County roads 270 and 272. Practice leave-no-trace (www.lnt.org) camping principles when dispersed camping. |
| General |
Reservations can be made 6 months in advanced. |
| General |
Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $10.00 for a third vehicle. $10.00 fee for day use if not camping overnight. |
