Mount Princeton

Creek flowing through forest
campsite with picnic table and fire pit with blue sky and mountains in background.
Campsite with rees, picnic tableand fire pit
Campsite with picnic table, fire pit and mountains in background

Featured amenities

Parking Parking
Restrooms Restrooms

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

13 total sites

RV Sites

12 sites

Tent Sites

1 site

About Mount Princeton

Mount Princeton Campground is located in beautiful Chalk Creek Canyon in central Colorado. This popular facility is within 4 miles 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.

Number of accommodations: 13

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round

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 - May 22 to Sep 19

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Parking Parking
Restrooms Restrooms
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Firewood Available
Parking and Transport

Parking and Transport

  • Parking
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
🚐 003, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
004, Loop: MOUN Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 005, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 006, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 007, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 008, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 009, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 010, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 011, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 012, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 013, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 018, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 019, Loop: MOUN RV
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (117)

What Guests Are Saying

Mount Princeton Campground is highly praised for its beautiful location, clean facilities, and friendly camp hosts who maintain the grounds well. Many visitors enjoy the nearby river, hiking opportunities, and local attractions, making it a great base for outdoor activities. While some campers noted issues with odors from pit toilets and close campsite proximity, overall experiences are overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a desire to return.

Review Summary

4.7
117 reviews
5
83.8%
98
4
8.5%
10
3
3.4%
4
2
1.7%
2
1
2.6%
3

Wallace C

Verified

August 16, 2025 Stayed at: 018, Loop: MOUN

5

What a gorgeous spot on the creek! My 8 year old grandson had the best time ever. The camp host was especially helpful and friendly; we'll be back!

Stephanie K

Verified

July 29, 2025 Stayed at: 006, Loop: MOUN

5

Beautiful spot, we loved the creek and proximity to the lake, even nicer than we expected it to be!

Kelly A

Verified

July 29, 2025 Stayed at: 012, Loop: MOUN

5

Second time to this campground in two years. Both times the host was super friendly and kept the campground very clean. It is a popular campground. It is difficult to find sites on weekends. Our site, 12, and last year, 10, were both near the outhouse. At both sites we got an occasional smell of the outhouse which was not pleasant but it was not constant. I recommend trying for other sites along the Chalk Creek. The center sites have very little shade. The water pump was not working so there was no water on site. The host did have firewood for sale. I would go back here again and again. It is full of outdoor activities!

Andrew M

Verified

July 14, 2025 Stayed at: 008, Loop: MOUN

5

Great spot near Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. Campsite was easy to navigate and had good parking and tent/picnic area.

Elizabeth K

Verified

July 3, 2025 Stayed at: 011, Loop: MOUN

4

I loved this campground! Perfect home base to do exploring in the area. My only negative thing to add was my specific campsite had a strong odor from the pit toilets, as I was camped nearby them in a van and still smelled it quite often. I imagine tent camping would be unbearable camped this close to the toilets!

Pam B

Verified

June 24, 2025 Stayed at: 003, Loop: MOUN

5

Love smaller campgrounds like this. No big rigs, generators running all of the time, or a party crowd. Randy the campground host keeps the campground clean. Cleanest pit toilets I've been around. The only downside was it was really windy two of the three days we were there--nothing can be done about the weather though!!

Bart B

Verified

June 24, 2025 Stayed at: 013, Loop: MOUN

5

The Mt. Princeton campground is really a wonderful spot. Scenery is spectacular. The host is super friendly and takes great care of the grounds. We have come to this area to camp almost every year for the last 8 years. Two warnings... if you want a reservation, you need to be ready to book exactly 6 months before your trip. Also, cell phone service is spotty once you get a few miles away from the main highway, although that's not necessarily a bad thing if you're looking to escape.

Cynthia S

Verified

June 19, 2025 Stayed at: 004, Loop: MOUN

5

I was very impressed with this campground. The host took excellent care of the camp sites. He even raked the ground giving it a groomed look. I felt like it was a resort style campground. The river is right behind me in camp site #4. The bathrooms are in front at a distance. No water so bring your own. The fire pit must have been recently upgraded. I was able to cook on the grill.

Shelley E

Verified

June 16, 2025 Stayed at: 009, Loop: MOUN

5

The camp host was amazing and friendly. even took my trash for me in his golf cart so I didn't have to carry it to the entrance of the campground.

Daniel M

Verified

June 16, 2025 Stayed at: 005, Loop: MOUN

5

It’s a beautiful spot.
It offers fishing, hiking, a spa, a ghost town, a small town…
The host was great. He had a multiple suggestions on activities.
The campsites were very clean and raked like a golf bunker. The toilets were clean with no odor at all. Great experience!

Location Mount Princeton

Address:
Salida Ranger District Office
Salida, CO, 81201
United States

Highway access

Mount Princeton Campground is accessible via US Highway 285, located approximately 20 miles to the west. This highway connects to other major roads in the region, facilitating access to the campground.

Elevation: 2621 feet

Distance to downtown

25 mi drive to downtown Salida (about 35 min)

Policies & Rules

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.
  • Do not climb chalk cliffs
  • 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
  • This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations
  • No hookups available
  • Click here for more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Reservations can be made 6 months in advanced.
  • 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. 

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 6, 2026

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