Colorado / Park County / Pike National Forest

Buffalo Springs

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground typically operates from May through early October. Reservations available through Recreation.gov during the operating season, with sites becoming first-come, first-served if not reserved five days before arrival.

About

Buffalo Springs Campground is situated on a rolling hillside at 9,000 feet elevation in Pike National Forest, approximately 12.5 miles south of Fairplay, Colorado. The campground features 18 widely spaced, secluded campsites tucked among aspen, spruce, and other mixed conifers, providing privacy and excellent mountain views. The setting is ideal for experienced campers seeking a peaceful mountain retreat with access to diverse outdoor activities. The campground accommodates RVs up to 30 feet in length, with parking spurs ranging from 24-40 feet on dirt and rocky surfaces. Each site includes a campfire ring, picnic table, and parking for up to two vehicles. Facilities include vault toilets and hand-pumped drinking water. On-site amenities include volleyball courts and horseshoe pits for recreation. The area offers excellent opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and rock climbing, with the nearby Buffalo Peaks Wilderness accessible from the campground. Wildlife watching is a popular activity, with common sightings of mule deer, bald eagles, and chipmunks. Antero Reservoir, located nearby, provides fishing and boating opportunities with trophy rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout. The historic gold rush town of Fairplay is the nearest supply point and features an open-air museum depicting 19th-century mining life.

Directions

From Fairplay, take Highway 285 south for about 12.5 miles, just 3 miles past County Road 22 turnoff. Turn right onto Forest Road 431 and continue one mile to campground.

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