Colorado / Fremont County

The Bank Campground

Open — Open year-round. Standard individual sites are first-come, first-served until spring 2026; group sites remain reservable through Recreation.gov. Maximum stay is 14 days.

About

The Bank Campground sits at 6,890 feet elevation along the rugged Shelf Road, approximately 15 miles north of Cañon City in Fremont County, Colorado. This BLM-managed campground is a pilgrimage site for rock climbers, offering direct access to Shelf Road's spectacular limestone cliffs and nearly 1,000 bolted sport climbing routes accessible via the Cactus Cliff and Dark Side trails. The recently renovated facility features 31 individual sites and 2 group sites, spread across loops that wind through dramatic piñon pine and juniper vegetation with stunning views of the distinctive limestone bands. The campground's rough, steep dirt access road limits its appeal to large RVs and trailers, though some pull-through sites in B-Loop can accommodate smaller rigs that can handle the challenging approach. Each campsite includes a parking space, metal fire ring, and picnic table. The facility has 4 vault toilets but no drinking water, electric hookups, or trash service, requiring campers to be self-sufficient. Beyond climbing, the area offers excellent mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and 4WD routes. The campground operates year-round and is located along the Gold Belt National Scenic Byway, with the Royal Gorge, Arkansas River rafting, and the communities of Cañon City and Cripple Creek nearby.

Directions

From Highway 50 in Cañon City, take Dozier Avenue north following it as it turns west. At the four-way stop sign turn right on Field Avenue and follow it north until it turns into CR 9. In approximately 10 miles, continue straight and follow the sign for The Bank Campground. Campground is located approximately 1 mile up the rough dirt road.

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