Map of Alvarado Campground
ALVARADO CAMPGROUND
ALVARADO CAMPGROUND
ALVARADO CAMPGROUND
ALVARADO CAMPGROUND

Available sites

35 total sites

About Alvarado Campground

Alvarado Campground, located at an elevation of 9 ft., is a prime location for accessing easy to challenging hikes in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. The variety of trails lead to high elevation lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and a number of stunning scenic overlooks. Alvarado is designed for a range of campers, with facilities for tent, RV and equestrian campers. Pike-San Isabel National Forests include over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks that reach above 14 ft.

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding

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 closed

Campground Amenities

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

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

35 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 02, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 03, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 04, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 05, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 06, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 07, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 09, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 11, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 12, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 13, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 15, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 17, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 21, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 22, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 25, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 26, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 27, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 29, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 32, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 33, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 34, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 35, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 37, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 38, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 39, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 42, Loop: ALVARADO RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Pull-through
⛺ 44, Loop: ALVARADO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 45, Loop: ALVARADO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 46, Loop: ALVARADO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 47, Loop: ALVARADO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 48, Loop: ALVARADO Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ E1, Loop: ALVARADO Equestrian
8 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ E2, Loop: ALVARADO Equestrian
8 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🏕️ E3, Loop: ALVARADO Equestrian
8 guests · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews (379)

What Guests Are Saying

Alvarado Campground offers a clean, well-maintained environment with friendly and helpful camp hosts. Many visitors appreciate the beautiful scenery, quiet atmosphere, and excellent hiking trails in the area. While there are some concerns about site accessibility and occasional water issues, the overall experience is highly praised, making it a recommended spot for campers.

Review Summary

4.6
379 reviews
5
75.2%
285
4
16.6%
63
3
4.7%
18
2
1.8%
7
1
1.6%
6

Peter M

Verified

September 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: ALVARADO

5

A bit out of the way, however, the views are great and the sites are well spaced our.

Mark P

Verified

August 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: ALVARADO

5

Nice, quiet campground. We were surprised how empty it was mid week.

Mark P

Verified

August 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: ALVARADO

5

Nice, quiet campground. We were surprised how empty it was mid week.

Kevin R

Verified

July 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: ALVARADO

4

Wonderful weekend at Alvarado Campground. This would be a 5 except for the terrible washboard road coming in the last half mile.
We had site 15. The best with a creek flowing 5 ft from the back of our motorhome. So nice to fall asleep to.
I recommend it.
There is also an area for those with horses.

Kevin R

Verified

July 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: ALVARADO

4

Wonderful weekend at Alvarado Campground. This would be a 5 except for the terrible washboard road coming in the last half mile.
We had site 15. The best with a creek flowing 5 ft from the back of our motorhome. So nice to fall asleep to.
I recommend it.
There is also an area for those with horses.

William B

Verified

July 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: ALVARADO

4

Host - Larry was excellent!
I was able to switch from Site 37 to Site 16. Site 37 was not level enough to park my 21 ft trailer.
Toilets were kept clean, well maintained!

William B

Verified

July 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 37, Loop: ALVARADO

4

Host - Larry was excellent!
I was able to switch from Site 37 to Site 16. Site 37 was not level enough to park my 21 ft trailer.
Toilets were kept clean, well maintained!

Steven S

Verified

July 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: ALVARADO

4

Alvarado Campground ended up being a total surprise and we’ll be back when we need a couple of days of decompressing in the mountains. It’s going to be dry camping — no water hookups, no electric, and no sewer dump site. I would have given Alvarado a 5-star rating, except for the fact that you cannot use a hose to fill up your RV’s water tank at any of the many water spigots around the campground. I was fortunate enough to have a pair of collapsible camping buckets and a funnel that attaches to the fresh water inlet, so I was able to put water into the tank. It took a while, but it did the job.

The campsites are fairly far apart; we had a large group (too large if you look at the limits) that was spread between the sites on both sides of our site, and we could barely hear them. Site 33 had a relatively flat pull in, so leveling with blocks was simple. There is a downhill walk to the picnic table; this was somewhat difficult for my disabled wife, but she was able to make it. Trees are all around the site, offering good shade. A stream runs through the campground, although not next to site 33. Pit bathrooms are located conveniently close and are maintained several times a day.

Deer wander through the campground all the time, and we were buzz-bombed by hummingbirds and stared at by squirrels and chipmunks. The fire pit was handy - we had a wood fire both nights of our trip and enjoyed the warmth of the fire at night at 9,200 ft.

Some of the upper loop sites have a view looking east toward the valley, and I noticed that some had steep “driveways” - definitely not recommended for RVs.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, quiet, accessible (3 hours away from Denver), and beautiful campground, Alvarado is awesome.

Steven S

Verified

July 25, 2023 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: ALVARADO

4

Alvarado Campground ended up being a total surprise and we’ll be back when we need a couple of days of decompressing in the mountains. It’s going to be dry camping — no water hookups, no electric, and no sewer dump site. I would have given Alvarado a 5-star rating, except for the fact that you cannot use a hose to fill up your RV’s water tank at any of the many water spigots around the campground. I was fortunate enough to have a pair of collapsible camping buckets and a funnel that attaches to the fresh water inlet, so I was able to put water into the tank. It took a while, but it did the job.

The campsites are fairly far apart; we had a large group (too large if you look at the limits) that was spread between the sites on both sides of our site, and we could barely hear them. Site 33 had a relatively flat pull in, so leveling with blocks was simple. There is a downhill walk to the picnic table; this was somewhat difficult for my disabled wife, but she was able to make it. Trees are all around the site, offering good shade. A stream runs through the campground, although not next to site 33. Pit bathrooms are located conveniently close and are maintained several times a day.

Deer wander through the campground all the time, and we were buzz-bombed by hummingbirds and stared at by squirrels and chipmunks. The fire pit was handy - we had a wood fire both nights of our trip and enjoyed the warmth of the fire at night at 9,200 ft.

Some of the upper loop sites have a view looking east toward the valley, and I noticed that some had steep “driveways” - definitely not recommended for RVs.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, quiet, accessible (3 hours away from Denver), and beautiful campground, Alvarado is awesome.

Kevin M

Verified

July 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 21, Loop: ALVARADO

4

Pleasant quiet stay. Campground was pretty full but everyone was considerate and quiet at night. Bathrooms well maintained.

Location & Directions for Alvarado Campground

Co. Rd. 140, Westcliffe, CO 81212 United States

Elevation: 2,750 ft

Getting There

From Westcliffe, CO, take State Route 69 south 3 mi to the campground sign (County Road 140). Turn right and go 1.8 mi to the stop sign. Continue straight through the stop sign for 2.8 mi until you hit another stop sign (RD 141). Turn left onto RD...

Nearest town

Westcliffe, CO - 10 mi

About 18 min to downtown

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

  • Real-time information is unavailable; contact the San Carlos Ranger District for inquiries.

Site capacity

  • Campground limits: 8 people per site, with options for 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 RV.

Wildlife & food storage

  • Store food securely to avoid attracting bears; keep food out of sight and remove after use.

Safety & rules

  • Only certified weed-free hay is allowed at the campground.

Site types & loops

  • Electric hookups are not provided at this campground.
  • Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

General

  • Click here for more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests

Fires & fuel

  • Do not transport firewood; purchase it locally and burn it on-site to protect trees.
  • Purchase firewood at the host site for $10 per bundle.

Fees & deposits

  • Camping fee includes 2 vehicles; $10 charge for each additional vehicle.

Utilities

  • Water available via handpump/spigot; do not connect RV hoses to the system; fill tanks before arrival.
  • No dump station available; nearest facility is at a nearby campground not operated by ExplorUS.

Nearby Campgrounds


Last updated: October 7, 2026

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Explore Westcliffe, CO

Population: 419

Nearby larger city

Pueblo, CO

Approx. 53 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 7,864 ft

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