Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates13 total sites
RV Sites
12 sites
Tent Sites
1 site
About Mount Princeton
Number of accommodations: 13
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Year-round
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Firewood Available
Parking and Transport
- Parking
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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13 Sites Available
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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.
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
Julie L
VerifiedJuly 31, 2024 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: MOUN
We loved are time
John D
VerifiedJuly 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: MOUN
Thanks to camp host, maintenance of this campground is excellent--from raking of campsites between users to cleanliness of the outhouses. The fact that there are only 19 campsites keeps the area enjoyably small. At least two good hiking trails are nearby--one is a 6 mile round-trip from the "Bootleg/Chalk Creek" trailhead, situated about 1 mile east of the Mt. Princeton Campground on CR162. The Chalk Creek trail crosses Chalk Creek here and then rises precipitously to CR290. Turn west and walk along CR290 to a parking lot at the end of this road. From there you will walk along the Denver, South Park, and Pacific railbed, constructed in the late 1800's and last used in 1926. With a few exceptions, where rockslides have covered the railbed, the trail continues up to the Chalk Creek Cascades. Along the way, shap eyes can pick out the Mt. Princeton campground far below. A little further along you can get a clear view of the Chalk Lake Campground/Day Use Area. The view of the cascades is worth the long hike. Alternatively, one member of the your party could drive to the Cascades via CR162 while and pick up the one-way hikers there. Another hike, shorter but far more strenuous hike is a 3 mile round-trip to the top of the ridge immediately south of the campground, again starting from the Chalk Creek Trailhead and then branching off to the south, up the Colorado Trail. In the 1.5 miles to the top, the elevation gain is approximately 900 feet. While you are in the area, don't miss the Iron City Cemetery, situated in a beautiful aspen grove at the far end of the Iron City Campground as you drive up to the St. Elmo Ghost Town. The earliest recorded burial in this cemetery is 1883. A registry at the cemetery gate provides interesting details of how the pioneer residents of this area, many working the Mary Murphy mine, died and when they were burried.
Deborah V
VerifiedJuly 18, 2024 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: MOUN
Love the peace and quiet of Mt Princeton, especially in June with the snow melt rushing in Chalk Creek!
Lynda W
VerifiedJuly 10, 2024 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: MOUN
Quiet and private. Easy to get to, lots of trails around.
Caskel S
VerifiedJuly 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: MOUN
This is a fantastic area to hike, fish, take pictures, dine at local one-of-a-kind places, and just kick back to enjoy the beautiful landscape. Chalk Creek runs right next to Mount Princeton campground. It's an easy hike and so very pretty. Kids have a great time at the fish hatchery down the road. Agnes Waterfall is nearby. Only the last quarter of the trail is challenging. The Narrow Gauge Trail is another easy hike and has a wonderful view of the canyon. Iron City campground, St. Elmo, and the Iron City Cemetery are interesting too. St. Elmo never disappoints. Of course there is the Hot Springs down the hill. The Mount Princeton Lodge has great food, WiFi, and big screen TVs at the bar if you really feel the need to catch up on what's happening in the world.
Aimee G
VerifiedJuly 7, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: MOUN
Beautiful campground - loved hearing the river running nearby. The host, Randy, was a pleasure to talk with and did a wonderful job making us feel welcome. Our site was clean and raked when we arrived and bathrooms were well maintained. Love the proximity to the hot springs and will stay again.
John C
VerifiedJuly 6, 2024 • Stayed at: 018, Loop: MOUN
Camp host Randy was great! He kept the campground and sites in beautiful shape and order, and he was genuinely helpful and engaging.
This was definitely a first rate experience thanks to Randy’s efforts.
The AT&T service was weak, but adequate as long as you are patient.
Great location with easy access to many different places/things.
Kim S
VerifiedOctober 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: MOUN
Great Campground. Loved the sound of the creek.
Christina P
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: MOUN
Beautiful and serine. Friendly camp attendees and we did see some incredible wildlife. Wouldn’t let me click on, but 5 out of 5 stars! Love the hot springs experience too🩷
Tom P
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: MOUN
Desiree was Great!!!
Location Mount Princeton
Address:
Salida Ranger District Office
Salida, CO, 81201
United States
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
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