About Alvarado Campground
Number of accommodations: 35
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Alvarado Campground.
Rates, Sites & Availability
35 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
35 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (324)
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.
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
Eric M
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: ALVARADO
Lovely hiking on and near the Rainbow Trail
Eric M
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: ALVARADO
Lovely hiking on and near the Rainbow Trail
Bob S
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2021 • Stayed at: E3, Loop: ALVARADO
The primitive equestrian campground was very intimate with just 4 spots which made for a very quiet, relaxing week. Trail access for very close by. Only difficulty was hauling water down to the horse pens but we were grateful for the two pens available. Maybe there are 2 more waiting to be built so there is a pen for each campsite?? Plan to return next year.
Bob S
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2021 • Stayed at: E3, Loop: ALVARADO
The primitive equestrian campground was very intimate with just 4 spots which made for a very quiet, relaxing week. Trail access for very close by. Only difficulty was hauling water down to the horse pens but we were grateful for the two pens available. Maybe there are 2 more waiting to be built so there is a pen for each campsite?? Plan to return next year.
Kevin S
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: ALVARADO
Hidden treasure- dry camping without amenities except for the natural beauty and peacefulness. Great site (9) that was perfect for our van camper
Kevin S
VerifiedSeptember 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: ALVARADO
Hidden treasure- dry camping without amenities except for the natural beauty and peacefulness. Great site (9) that was perfect for our van camper
Jonathan W
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: ALVARADO
Alvarado campground was wonderful. There are fantastic views in the campground itself and it is a great basecamp to explore the nearby wilderness. A note about the water. There is drinking water available but there are not threads on the spigots to fill up your camper. Fill your camper ahead of time.
Jonathan W
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: ALVARADO
Alvarado campground was wonderful. There are fantastic views in the campground itself and it is a great basecamp to explore the nearby wilderness. A note about the water. There is drinking water available but there are not threads on the spigots to fill up your camper. Fill your camper ahead of time.
PAT M
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: ALVARADO
Alvarado is one of our most favorite camping spots ... until this year!
We have a small 23’ RV ...
The lack of site maintenance is becoming very discouraging...there is a lot of lost revenue when when so many sites aren’t usable due to not grading...not just from a leveling standpoint but the hugh run off ditches that make them unusable...the feedback I hear is “Don’t go there” which is obvious when you see how many empty spots there are...that all equates to money lost ... give a local with a grader some employment...that would be a win win!
Speaking of giving work out to locals...
My other complaint is the group you hired to do tree mitigation ...
They decided to find a group of dead trees right next to our site #33 (major erosion site)
At 9:30am on Thurs 8-19-21...peak camping season with campers everywhere...we also came close to having one of there trees hitting us as we came off the Rainbow trail...another brilliant plan of theirs...mitigate trees next to the car parking area midday at the entrance to the Rainbow trail.
So you ask “how was our experience at Alvarado this year?” HORRIBLE!
Camping was bad enough dealing with all the rude & noisy newbies but then add bad park management to the equation... it sucked!
PAT M
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: ALVARADO
Alvarado is one of our most favorite camping spots ... until this year!
We have a small 23’ RV ...
The lack of site maintenance is becoming very discouraging...there is a lot of lost revenue when when so many sites aren’t usable due to not grading...not just from a leveling standpoint but the hugh run off ditches that make them unusable...the feedback I hear is “Don’t go there” which is obvious when you see how many empty spots there are...that all equates to money lost ... give a local with a grader some employment...that would be a win win!
Speaking of giving work out to locals...
My other complaint is the group you hired to do tree mitigation ...
They decided to find a group of dead trees right next to our site #33 (major erosion site)
At 9:30am on Thurs 8-19-21...peak camping season with campers everywhere...we also came close to having one of there trees hitting us as we came off the Rainbow trail...another brilliant plan of theirs...mitigate trees next to the car parking area midday at the entrance to the Rainbow trail.
So you ask “how was our experience at Alvarado this year?” HORRIBLE!
Camping was bad enough dealing with all the rude & noisy newbies but then add bad park management to the equation... it sucked!
Location Alvarado Campground
Address:
Co. Rd. 140
Westcliffe, CO, 81212
United States
From Westcliffe, CO, take State Route 69 south 3 miles to the campground sign (County Road 140). Turn right and go 1.8 miles to the stop sign. Continue straight through the stop sign for 2.8 miles until you hit another stop sign (RD 141). Turn left onto RD 141 and continue 2.1 miles to campground.
(Note: RD 141 becomes dirt/gravel after 0.4 miles.)
Latitude & Longitude: 38.0789 / -105.563
Elevation: 2750 feet
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
Nearby destinations
Last updated: May 20, 2026
