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Colorado › Custer County › San Isabel National Forest

La Vista Campground - Lake Isabel

Open

Open for the season. Operates early May through late September, weather dependent. Walk-in tent sites are first-come, first-served. Electric sites are reservable via Recreation.gov at least four days in advance. Minimum 2-night stay required Friday-Saturday, 3-night minimum on holidays. Walk-ups exempt from minimums.

Notify on Availability Reserve

Air Quality Alert issued July 20 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

4:10 PM — July 21st, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Custer and southwestern Pueblo Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Westcliffe, Rye, Beulah, and Colorado City. WHEN...900 AM Monday July 20 to 900 AM Tuesday July 21 IMPACTS...Moderate to heavy smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire is possible throughout the advisory area through at least Tuesday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in people with cardiopulmonary disease and older adults. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

Air Quality Alert issued July 20 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

9:10 AM — July 21st, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Custer and southwestern Pueblo Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Westcliffe, Rye, Beulah, and Colorado City. WHEN...900 AM Monday July 20 to 900 AM Tuesday July 21 IMPACTS...Moderate to heavy smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire is possible throughout the advisory area through at least Tuesday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals, aggravation of heart or lung disease and premature mortality in people with cardiopulmonary disease and older adults. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

San Isabel 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.

About

La Vista Campground is situated in a scenic meadow overlooking the west side of Lake Isabel, one of the few lakes in Colorado developed purely for recreation. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the 40-acre lake sits along the Frontier Pathways Historic Byway in the Wet Mountains at 8,600 feet elevation, providing cool summer days and excellent birdwatching opportunities along one of Colorado's Birding Trails. The campground offers 25 sites across multiple loops: 10 tent-only walk-in sites (15-50 yards from parking) and 15 sites with 15-amp electric hookups suitable for RVs and trailers up to 45 feet. All sites include a picnic table and fire ring with access to vault toilets and potable water from hand pumps and spigots. The electric sites feature back-in gravel driveways. Lake Isabel welcomes non-motorized boating and fishing, stocked with brown and brook trout. St. Charles Creek flows nearby offering additional fishing. Hikers and mountain bikers can access the Snow Slide Trail and the 15-mile Cisneros Trail, which leads through forests and wildflower valleys to St. Charles Peak. A nearby lodge provides boat rentals, groceries, and a restaurant.

Directions

From Pueblo, drive 25 miles south on Interstate 25 to exit 74. Head west 18 miles on State Highway 165. Turn into the main entrance at Lake Isabel Recreation Area, then turn right into the first campground on the right (about 1.25 miles from the main entrance).

Nearby Campgrounds

La Vista Campground 0.1mi Southside Campground - Lake Isabel 0.2mi Southside Campground 0.3mi St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel 0.4mi Lake Isabel Cabin 0.5mi St. Charles Campground 0.6mi Ponderosa Group Campground 0.8mi Spruce Group Campground 1.0mi Ponderosa Group - Lake Isabel 1.2mi

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups Yes
Water Hookups No
Sewer Hookups No
Camp Store No
Price $30 - $35

Vehicle

Max RV Length 45ft
Max Trailer Length 45ft
Big Rig Friendly —
Pull Through Sites No

Contact

Phone +1 (719) 269-8500

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Useful Links

Forest Service Concessionaire
Colorado State Road Conditions
Print Facility Map
Colorado State Tourism
View on Recreation.gov
USFS La Vista Campground
USFS Lake Isabel Recreation Area

Availability

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