Lodgepole

About

Lodgepole Campground is a high-elevation destination in Pike National Forest, situated at 9,900 feet along Jefferson Creek with views of Jefferson Hill. The single-loop campground features 33 campsites with parking spurs ranging from 20 to 40 feet, accommodating trailers and RVs up to 30 feet. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and pedestal grill. Vault toilets and potable water from a hand pump are available, along with trash service. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the area's outdoor recreation. Jefferson Lake, 3 miles to the north at 10,685 feet elevation, offers fishing for rainbow, brown, mackinaw, and brook trout, with a boat ramp for non-motorized and no-wake boating. The Colorado Trail passes nearby, providing access to the 471-mile route from Denver to Durango, as well as the 11-mile West Jefferson Loop Trail that reaches the Continental Divide. Campers should be prepared for high-altitude conditions and bear country. Bear-resistant food storage is required, and the Forest Service notes that pop-up campers and tents may not provide adequate protection from bears. Quiet hours are enforced from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and stays are limited to 14 consecutive nights.

Directions

From US Highway 285 at Jefferson, take County Road 35 north to County Road 37 and turn right. Pay the user fee at Jefferson Lake Recreation Area entrance station and continue on the road to the campground.