Colorado › Jefferson County › Pike National Forest

Kelsey Campground

Open

Open for the 2026 season. Reservations available via Recreation.gov for 15 sites; 2 sites are first-come, first-served. Stage 1 fire restrictions and bear closure order are in effect. Season runs early May through late September, weather dependent.

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Pike National Forest

Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness

This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.

Pike National Forest

Weed Free Forage Products

The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.

Pike National Forest

Cave Closure and Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.

Pike National Forest

Pike-San Isabel National Forests Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

This order affects the Pikes Peak, South Platte, South Park, San Carlos, Salida and Leadville Ranger Districts. The purpose of this order is to is to protect public health and safety.

Pike National Forest

Updated Willow Fire Area Closure

This order affects the Leadville Ranger District. The purpose of this order is to is to protect public health and safety.

Pike National Forest

East Bear Gulch NFST 1333 seasonal closure

This order effects the San Carlos Ranger District is in effect annually from April 1 through July 31. The purpose of this Order is to protect the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) nesting sites. The Peregrine Falcon is listed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife as a species of State Special Concern,…

Pike National Forest

Aspen Acres Fire Area Closure

This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District. The purpose of this Order is to is to protect public health and safety.

Pike National Forest

Interlaken Hotel and Annex Area closure

This order affects the Leadville Ranger District. The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety in an area with known hazards due to tree fall, damaged buildings, potential tree fall.

Pike National Forest

Interlaken Hotel Tree Hazards

Continued winds have impacted the Interlaken Historic Site, knocking down old green trees and impacting buildings. Dexter House was not impacted and is safe to tour, but please stay clear of other buildings in the area. Other trees may be further impacted by more wind. Please keep your…

Pike National Forest

National Forest Service Road 8 closure

This order affects the South Park Ranger District. The purpose of this Order is to is to protect public health and safety from roadway construction that will be occurring along the entire road prism.

Pike National Forest

Badger Flats Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the South Park Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.

Pike National Forest

Sacramento Gulch Mill Site removal action Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis

This alert contains project documents for the Sacramento Gulch Mill Site removal action Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis. The project documents will be available for public review for 30 days beginning on May 18th, 2026 and ending on June 18th. Written comments may be submitted electronically…

Pike National Forest

Sharpe Fire Update

Sharpe FireCurrent as of 5/21/2026 9 a.m.Update/clarification: The Pueblo Interagency Zone Type 3 Team will be managing only the area of the Sharpe fire that is burning in Colorado. This includes firefighting activities, counting of acreage (in Colorado only) and containment. Date of…

Pike National Forest

LaSalle Pass West and Elevenmile Canyon Entrance Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the South Park Ranger District. The purpose of the Order is to protect active nest sites of birds of prey pursuant to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 668-668d) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 U.S.C. §§ 703–712).

Pike National Forest

Turquoise Lake Road (County Road 4) Closure

To prioritize public safety, Turquoise Lake Road (County Road 4) has been closed due to asphalt damage. The road is barricaded from the Abe Lee parking turnoff to Hagerman Pass. Access to Turquoise Lake is still available via County Road 9C and County Road 9 to the Hagerman Pass intersection. The…

Pike National Forest

Seasonal Prohibition of Motor Vehicles on Roads and Trails

This order affects the South Park Ranger District.The purpose of this Order is to protect wildlife by implementing specific seasonal road and trail closures identified in the September 26, 2022, Final Record of Decision for the Pike-San Isabel National Forests Motorized Travel Management (MVUM)…

Pike National Forest

Eagle Rock and Observatory Rock Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the South Park Ranger District.The purpose of the Order is to protect active nest sites of bald eagles and golden eagles pursuant to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 668-668d) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 U.S.C. §§ 703–712).

Pike National Forest

Downed and weakened trees on South Platte Ranger District

Due to sustained high winds from the last storm front, expect to see many downed and weakened trees on roads and trails in the South Platte Ranger District.Be mindful that, even if a tree looks okay, it may be weakened and could fall. Forest Service crews are working on clearing trees over the next…

Pike National Forest

Seasonal area closure for Rock Climbing near Devils Head Trailhead

This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.Please note that this closure is only in effect between March 1 and July 31 of each year.The purpose of this Order is to protect American peregrine falcons, a species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.Please see the attached document…

Pike National Forest

Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the Leadville, Salida and South Park ranger districts.This order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness and to protect the character, solitude and condition of this wilderness.Please see the attached document for more…

Pike National Forest

Wigwam Spur Trail, NFST 609.A closure

This order affects the South Park Ranger District.The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety and a sensitive riparian habitat from further damage.

Pike National Forest

South Platte Ranger District Over-Snow Vehicle Use

This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.The purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Mount Evans Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Lost Creek Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the South Park and South Platte ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Mount Massive Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the Leadville Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Collegiate Peak Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the Leadville and Salida ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Waldo Canyon Burn Area Closure

This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety due to impacts of the Waldo Canyon fire.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area Occupancy and Use Regulations

This order affects the San Carlos and Salida ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Greenhorn Mountain Wilderness and Spanish Peaks Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Pike National Forest Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the Pikes Peak, South Platte and South Park ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

This order affects the Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

San Isabel National Forest Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the Leadville, Salida and San Carlos ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

South Catamount Dam Repair

This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect public safety during Colorado Springs Utilities South Catamount Dam repair.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

East Bear Gulch Trail Seasonal Closure Order

This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) nesting sites. The peregrine falcon is listed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife as a species of State Special Concern, and guidelines have been identified that calls for no…

Pike National Forest

Food Storage Prohibitions on Pike-San Isabel National Forests

This order affects the Pikes Peak, South Platte, South Park, Leadville, Salida and San Carlos ranger districts.The purpose of the order is to protect public safety by minimizing adverse interactions between bears and humans.Please see the document below for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Castle Rock Area Closure

This order affects the Salida Ranger District.The purpose of the order is to protect an active golden eagle nest site.Please see the document below for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Holy Cross Wilderness Prohibitions

This order affects the Leadville Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and wilderness character by managing recreational use within the Holy Cross Wilderness.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Occupancy and Use Prohibitions Pertaining to Lakes

This order affects the Leadville, Salida, San Carlos, Pikes Peak, South Park and South Platte ranger districts.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public safety.Please see the document below for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Crags Winter Area Closure

This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect public safety and natural resources.Please see the document below for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Rampart Range Road 300 Winter Closure

This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect public safety and natural resources.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Bear Creek Watershed Restoration Project Occupancy and Use Restrictions

This order affects the Pikes Peak Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to implement requirements of the July 17, 2016, final Decision Notice for the Bear Creek Watershed Restoration Project designed to protect a unique population of greenback cutthroat trout, a threatened species under the…

Pike National Forest

Occupancy and Use Restrictions with Designated Camping and Parking Areas

This order affects the South Platte Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect natural resources and public health and safety.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

East Indian Creek Road Closure

This order affects the San Carlos Ranger District.The purpose of this order is to protect public safety due to erosion and flooding in the area affected by the Spring Creek Fire.Please see the attached document for more information and associated maps.

Pike National Forest

Prohibition on Camping in Areas Posted as Closed to Camping

This order affects all districts on the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands.The purpose of this order is for protection of public health and safety and resource protection due to flood potential and environmental and facilities damage within the Hayman Burn…

Pike National Forest

Seasonal Restriction on Dogs Near Section House and Wagon Cabin

This order affects the South Park Ranger District.This order is needed to protect the health and safety of the public staying at the huts through the winter months. Melted snow provides the water source. To prevent fecal contamination of this water source, it is essential that dogs are not…

About

Kelsey Campground sits at 7,400 feet in Pike National Forest's Buffalo Creek Recreation Area, roughly an hour southwest of Denver via Highway 285 and County Road 126. The campground offers 17 single-family sites, including 15 standard sites and 2 tent-only sites, each with a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Vault toilets and potable water from a hand pump are available, though there are no hookups, showers, or dump station. The Buffalo Creek Recreation Area is renowned for its 40-mile trail system that draws mountain bikers, hikers, and horseback riders. The Little Scraggy Trailhead, just 3 miles north, provides access to the Colorado Trail and Buffalo Burn Trail. Buffalo Creek itself offers brook trout fishing, and the surrounding forest supports elk, mule deer, wild turkey, and other wildlife. The Kelsey Overlook north of the campground provides scenic views of the valley. Summer temperatures are pleasant, ranging from 75-80 degrees during the day to 55-65 at night. Bears frequent the area, and a bear closure order requires proper storage of all attractants. Dogs must be leashed at all times, and firearms and fireworks are prohibited.

Directions

From Denver, take Highway 285 southwest to Pine Junction and turn south on Jefferson County Road 126. Travel approximately 16.5 miles south to the campground on the right (west) side of the road.

Nearby Campgrounds

Platte River 3.4mi Buffalo Campground 3.8mi Parrett 4.0mi Lone Rock Campground 4.8mi Meadows Group Campground 4.1mi Ouzel 4.2mi Green Mountain Campground 4.8mi Osprey 5.3mi Devils Head Campground 9.2mi

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Location

39.3163889, -105.2666667

Amenities

Water	Yes
Fires Allowed	Yes
Toilets	Yes
Dump Station	No
Wifi	No
Pets Allowed	Yes
Showers	No
Electric Hookups	—
Water Hookups	—
Sewer Hookups	—
Camp Store	No
Price	$28

Vehicle

Max RV Length	60ft
Max Trailer Length	60ft
Big Rig Friendly	No
Pull Through Sites	No

Contact

Phone

+1 (303) 275-5610

Cell Service

AT&T	None
Verizon	None
T-Mobile	Yes

Useful Links

Colorado State Road Conditions
Print Facility Map
Forest Service Concessionaire
Colorado State Tourism
View on Recreation.gov
USFS Kelsey Campground Info

Availability

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