Colorado / Jefferson County / Pike National Forest

Kelsey Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates from late spring through fall with full services. Extended shoulder seasons in spring and fall may have limited services such as no water or host.

About

Kelsey Campground sits within the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area in Pike National Forest, approximately an hour southwest of Denver. At 7,400 feet elevation in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, the campground offers 17 single-family sites, including two tent-only sites and one first-come, first-served site. Summer temperatures are mild, ranging from 75-80 degrees during the day to 55-65 degrees at night. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the area's 40-mile trail system, which is particularly popular with mountain bikers but also accommodates hikers and horseback riders. Little Scraggy Trail is located just 3 miles north, providing access to the Colorado Trail and Buffalo Burn Trail. Buffalo Creek offers fishing opportunities for brook trout, while the surrounding area provides wildlife viewing for turkey, elk, mule deer, and other species. Kelsey Overlook, located just north of the campground along County Road 126, offers scenic views of the valley below and distant views of Pikes Peak. The area is known for bear activity, and visitors must store all food and attractants in a bear-resistant manner. The campground operates seasonally with an extended shoulder season when some services like water may not be available.

Directions

From Denver, take Highway 285 southwest to Pine Junction and turn south on Jefferson County Road 126. Travel approximately 17 miles south to the campground on the west side of the road.

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