Colorado / El Paso County / Pike National Forest

Thunder Ridge

Closed — Closed for the season. Opens mid-May through mid-October depending on weather conditions. Reservations recommended between Memorial Day and Labor Day. During peak season, full services including water and trash are available. Pre-season and extended season have reduced services.

About

Thunder Ridge Campground is located above Rampart Reservoir within the Rampart Reservoir Recreation Area in Pike National Forest. Situated at an elevation of 9,200 feet on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, the campground overlooks the reservoir from a ponderosa pine forest surrounded by grass meadows, spruce, Douglas fir, and aspen. The campground offers 21 campsites with parking areas of at least 30 feet, making it suitable for RVs and trailers. Sites 7, 8, and 21 are ADA accessible. All sites include picnic tables and fire grates. The campground provides drinking water, vault toilets, and trash collection during the main season. Reservations are recommended between Memorial Day and Labor Day when the campground operates at full capacity. Rampart Reservoir is popular for fishing rainbow and mackinaw trout. Boating is permitted on the reservoir, and the 14-mile Rampart Reservoir Trail circles the lake, providing excellent opportunities for hiking and mountain biking. The area sees heavy use, especially on summer weekends. The campground is located near Pikes Peak, which rises to 14,110 feet and is visible from the area.

Directions

From Colorado Springs, travel west on Highway 24 for about 24 miles to Woodland Park. Turn north on Baldwin (which becomes Rampart Range Road). Go about 2 miles to Loy Creek Road and turn right. Continue to Forest Development Road 300 (Rampart Range Road) and turn right. Follow the signs. The Rampart Reservoir entrance is about 4 miles further on the left. Thunder Ridge Campground is approximately 0.7 miles on the left after entering the recreation area.

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