Colorado / Douglas County / Pike National Forest

Lone Rock Campground

Closed — Open year-round. Full services including water and trash available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Extended season operates with first-come, first-served camping and limited services during fall, winter, and spring when water, trash, and hosts may not be available.

About

Lone Rock Campground is positioned along the South Platte River in Pike National Forest, renowned for its gold medal fly fishing waters and riverside setting at 6,479 feet elevation. The campground sits on a hillside with many sites featuring views of the rushing river below. Anglers are drawn to the excellent rainbow and brown trout fishing, while the rapids attract kayakers and tubers during higher water flows. The Gill Trail trailhead is located near the campground and provides an intermediate 7-mile hike southwest through Cheesman Canyon to Cheesman Dam at Cheesman Lake. The scenic drive along Highway 126 from Pine Junction offers magnificent valley views and distant glimpses of Pikes Peak. Wildlife viewing is rewarding here, with opportunities to spot moose, mule deer, owls, and golden eagles. The campground features open sites with minimal privacy, though ponderosa pines provide some shade. Sites include picnic tables and fire pits, with vault toilets available year-round. The campground is very popular and crowded during weekends and peak summer season. Full services including water, trash removal, and campground hosts are available from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, with an extended season offering more limited services during fall, winter, and spring months.

Directions

From Denver, take Highway 285 southwest to Pine Junction. Turn south on Jefferson County Road 126 and travel 28 miles. Look for signs into campground. Alternate route: From C470, take Highway 85 south 10 miles to Sedalia. Turn west on Highway 67 for 14 miles to Sprucewood, then continue south on Highway 67 (dirt section) for 8 miles to paved road. Turn left and continue 5 miles south on Highway 67 to Deckers. Turn right heading west for 1 mile on Highway 126 to the campground on the south side of the road.

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