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Cow creek south campsite
Colorado › Summit County › White River National Forest

Cow Creek South

Closed

Currently closed for the season. Opens May 20, 2026 and operates through early October. Reservations available via Recreation.gov. Site access can be difficult when the road is wet.

Notify on Availability Reserve

Red Flag Warning issued June 30 at 3:08PM MDT until June 30 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO

3:08 PM — 9:00 PM

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED FOR THE HIGH COUNTRY TODAY...POTENTIALLY CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY... A warm and dry airmass will coincide with gusty west and southwest winds today. Sustained winds are expected to be 15 to 25 mph across much of the high country with gusts up to 40 mph, strongest for exposed areas and higher elevations. These conditions will drive very high fire danger across the warned area. Any new starts or established fires will likely spread rapidly under these conditions. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 211, 213, 217 and 218. * TIMING...Until 9 PM MDT this evening. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 11 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.

Air Quality Alert issued June 30 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Denver CO

4:10 PM — July 1st, 4:00 PM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Tuesday June 30 to 900 AM Wednesday July 01 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Wednesday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Air Quality Alert issued June 30 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Denver CO

9:10 AM — July 1st, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Tuesday June 30 to 900 AM Wednesday July 01 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Wednesday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

About

Cow Creek South Campground occupies a scenic location on the northeast shore of Green Mountain Reservoir, roughly midway along the reservoir in White River National Forest. The campground offers 44 standard sites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs, with a maximum vehicle length of 25 feet. Each site is equipped with a bear-proof food locker, and campfires are permitted in designated fire rings when fire restrictions are not in effect. The campground provides vault toilets and bear-proof trash receptacles but does not have potable water, so campers must bring an adequate supply. Pets are welcome on leashes. The reservoir is a popular destination for boating, canoeing, water skiing, and windsurfing. Anglers will find populations of rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon. All motorized watercraft require an Aquatic Nuisance Species inspection and must launch from Heeney Marina. The surrounding White River National Forest encompasses 2.3 million acres of Rocky Mountain terrain, including eight wilderness areas and ten peaks exceeding 14,000 feet. The nearby Spring Creek area offers off-road vehicle trails through lodgepole pine and spruce-fir forests with mountain views.

Directions

From Silverthorne, Colorado on Interstate 70, take exit 205 and go 22.4 miles north on Colorado Highway 9. The campground entrance is on the left just before mile marker 124. From Kremmling, turn off Highway 40 onto Colorado Highway 9 South and go 15.1 miles; the entrance is on the right just beyond mile marker 124.

Nearby Campgrounds

Cow Creek North 0.6mi Willows Campground 1.8mi Elliott Creek Campground 2.6mi McDonald Flats Campground 3.0mi Cataract Creek Campground 3.2mi Prairie Point Campground 3.5mi Horseshoe Campground 9.7mi Blue River Campground 13mi PINEY DESIGNATED DISPERSED SITE 14mi

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station —
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups —
Water Hookups —
Sewer Hookups —
Camp Store No
Price $21

Vehicle

Max RV Length 90ft
Max Trailer Length 90ft
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Email Help.WhiteRiver.Dillon@AmericanLL.com
Phone +1 (970) 468-7681

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Useful Links

View on Recreation.gov
White River NF - Cow Creek South

Availability

Photos

Cow creek south campsite
Cow creek south campsite
Cow Creek campground 1
Cow Creek campground 1
Cow Creek south sage field with reservoir and mountains in background
Cow creek south campsite
Cow creek south campsite
Cow creek south campsite
Cow Creek south sage field with reservoir and mountains in background
Cow Creek campground 1
Cow creek south campsite

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