La Vista Campground - Lake Isabel

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).