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Colorado › Custer County › San Isabel National Forest

St Charles Campground - Lake Isabel

Open

Open early May through late September, weather dependent. Ten of 15 sites are reservable through Recreation.gov; five sites are first-come, first-served. Bear closure order in effect requiring bear-resistant storage for all attractants. Services may be limited at season edges.

Notify on Availability Reserve

Air Quality Alert issued July 21 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

4:10 PM — July 22nd, 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 Tuesday July 21 to 900 AM Wednesday July 22 IMPACTS...Moderate to heavy smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire is possible throughout the advisory area through at least Wednesday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Air Quality Alert issued July 21 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

9:10 AM — July 22nd, 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 Tuesday July 21 to 900 AM Wednesday July 22 IMPACTS...Moderate to heavy smoke from the Aspen Acres Fire is possible throughout the advisory area through at least Wednesday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

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

Nestled among aspen and tall Douglas fir trees, St. Charles Campground occupies a quiet section of the Lake Isabel Recreation Area in San Isabel National Forest. Located on the banks of St. Charles Creek at 8,600 feet elevation, the campground appeals to campers who enjoy the sounds of water tumbling through shaded boulders. The area was developed in the 1930s as a recreational escape from the plains below. The campground has 15 sites, each equipped with a fire ring, fire pedestal, picnic table, and bear-proof food locker. Ten sites require reservations through Recreation.gov while five remain available on a first-come, first-served basis. Double vault toilets are accessible, and potable water is available from a hand pump. A bear closure order is in effect requiring all food and attractants be stored in bear-resistant containers. Lake Isabel is stocked with brown and rainbow trout, and an accessible lakeshore path provides fishing access. Brook trout inhabit St. Charles Creek. The Snowslide and Cisneros trails offer hiking opportunities, with both open to motorcycles and Cisneros serving as a challenging ATV route. A nearby lodge provides boat rentals, groceries, and a restaurant.

Directions

From Pueblo, drive 25 miles south on I-25 to exit 74. Head west 18 miles on State Highway 165. Turn into the main entrance at Lake Isabel Recreation Area and drive to Forest Road 374, the second left. Follow signs to the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

St. Charles Campground 0.2mi La Vista Campground 0.3mi La Vista Campground - Lake Isabel 0.4mi Southside Campground - Lake Isabel 0.5mi Ponderosa Group Campground 0.5mi Spruce Group Campground 0.6mi Southside Campground 0.7mi Spruce Group - Lake Isabel 0.9mi Ponderosa Group - Lake Isabel 0.9mi

Amenities

Water Yes
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets Yes
Dump Station —
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups —
Water Hookups —
Sewer Hookups —
Camp Store No
Price $25

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

Print Facility Map
Forest Service Concessionaire
Colorado State Tourism
Colorado State Road Conditions
View on Recreation.gov
USFS St. Charles Campground

Availability

Photos

St Charles Creek.

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