Tucker Ponds Campground

About

Tucker Ponds Campground is a high-altitude destination at 9,600 feet tucked into a spruce grove adjoining an open grassy meadow in the Rio Grande National Forest. Following bark beetle removal in 2015, the campground is now more open and sunny with clear views of Fox Mountain. The single-loop layout offers 15 sites on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations available. The two Tucker Ponds, each about 10 acres, sit directly across the road from the campground entrance and provide excellent family fishing. Rainbow trout are regularly stocked and usually plentiful. Pass Creek to the west offers additional fishing opportunities but is restricted to artificial flies and lures only, with all Rio Grande cutthroat trout requiring immediate release as part of a cutthroat recovery program. A valid Colorado fishing license is required. For hikers, Forest Road 390 continues south to Campo Molino, where Forest Road 388 leads to the Bonito Pass trail connecting to the Continental Divide Trail. The campground provides vault toilets, potable water via hand pump, picnic tables, fire rings, and seasonal trash service. Bear country food storage regulations apply from April through December.

Directions

From South Fork, CO, take US Highway 160 west 13.5 miles to the Tucker Ponds sign. Turn left onto Forest Road 390 (gravel) and go 2.7 miles to the campground sign. Turn right at the sign into the campground. Forest Road 390 is single-lane with turnouts.