Lost Trail Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. The campground typically operates from late spring through early fall, with water systems shut down after Labor Day. Snow closes access roads in winter.
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.
Weed Free Forage Products
The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.
Occupancy and Use Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to protect the public health and safety in the Rocky Mountain Region. This Order is supplemental to and does not rescind or replace those restrictions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A, or any Forest Supervisor Order issued under 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart B.
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.
Fall/Winter Slash Pile Burns Planned
Rio Grande National Forest announced today their winter slash pile burning plans. As conditions allow, fire crews plan to burn numerous piles of woody debris from timber sale and thinning project areas across the Rio Grande National Forest. This year’s pile burn areas include:
Motor Vehicle Seasonal Groomed Road Closures
This special order is to protect public safety by preventing damage to groomed snowmobile and cross-country ski routes.
Wolf Creek Pass Winter Recreation Area
This special order restricts parking, camping and snowmobile use at Wolf Creek Pass.
Food Storage Regulations
This special order covers food storage restrictions from April 1 to December 1 annually, within recreation sites across the entire Rio Grande National Forest.
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Occupancy & Use
This special order covers the entire Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area including the portion on the San Isabel National Forest. The includes restrictions on group size, camping, campfires, horse use, dogs, switchback cutting, and wagon or cart use.
Beaver Creek Recreation Area Use Restrictions
This special order restricts camping, parking, and dogs in the Beaver Creek Recreation Area. It also prohibits boats at Million Reservoir.
Big Meadows Recreation Area Use Regulations
This special order prohibits camping, parking, campfire and stove use, and restricts dogs within the Big Meadows Recreation area on the Divide Ranger District.
Camping limit on Rio Grande National Forest
This special order establishes a 14-day camping limit within a continuous 30-day period anywhere on the Rio Grande National Forest.
Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Goat Restriction
This special order prohibits the use of goats in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness and Recommended Wilderness areas.
La Garita Wilderness Use Restrictions
This special order covers the entire La Garita Wilderness area including portions on the Gunnison National Forest. The order restricts group size, camping, campfire and stove use, equipment storing, horse use, dogs, and cutting switchbacks on trails.
Weminuche Wilderness and South San Juan Wilderness Restrictions
This special order restricts group use, horse use, camping, campfires, and dogs in the Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas.
Spectacle Lake Restriction
This special order prohibits anyone from being in Spectacle Lake due to biological considerations.
Camping Restriction N. Crestone Trailhead
This special order restricts camping at the North Crestone Trailhead.
Forest Road #950 N. Crestone Closure
This special order closes FSR # 950, near Crestone, seasonally from November 25 to May 1 annually.
Park Creek Road Speed Limit
This special order establishes a 25 MPH speed limit on FSR # 380 Park Creek Road.
Alamosa Canyon Speed Limit
This special order establishes a speed limit of 20 MPH or less on FSR # 250 in the Alamosa Canyon.
Rito Hondo Day Use Area
This special order restricts parking, camping, boat use, and campfire use around the Rito Hondo Dam.
Road Canyon Reservoir Day Use Area
This special order restricts parking, camping and campfire uses in the area around Road Canyon Reservoir #1.
Conejos Canyon Roads and Camping Restrictions
This special order restricts the vehicle use and parking and limits camping to designated areas on FSR# 250 along the Conejos River.
About
Lost Trail Campground sits 38.2 miles southwest of Creede on Forest Road 520, near the upper end of Rio Grande Reservoir in Rio Grande National Forest. This 7-site campground offers basic amenities with each site featuring a parking spur, table, and fire ring. A vault toilet is provided, and well water is available during peak season but closes after Labor Day. The campground is surrounded by aspen, spruce, and fir trees, though screening is limited. The location serves as an excellent base for backcountry exploration. Multiple trailheads provide access to the Continental Divide, with Lost Trail Creek Trail 821 leading to the Carson City Mining area, West Lost Creek Trail 821 (a National Scenic Trail) heading to Cataract Lake, Heart Lake Trail 823, and Ute Creek Trail 819 into the Weminuche Wilderness. Fishing opportunities abound in Lost Trail Creek, Ute Creek, and the nearby Rio Grande Reservoir. Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts can explore Stony Pass on Forest Road 520 and the Beartown/Kite Lake route on Forest Road 506. Most parking spurs and pull-throughs are short and cannot accommodate large RVs or trailers, with limited maneuvering room. The campground typically fills from mid-June through the end of August. Note that the Sky Hi Ranch and Lost Trail Guest Ranch are adjacent to the campground, and the private footbridge on Sky Hi Ranch should not be used.
Directions
From Creede, Colorado: Travel 19 miles southwest on Colorado Highway 149 to Forest Road 520 (Rio Grande Reservoir Road). Take Road 520 west for 18.1 miles. The campground is on the south side of the main road.
Nearby Campgrounds
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 | $10 - $30 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | Yes |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Lost Trailhead #821 |
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