Recreation area

Arapaho National Recreation Area

Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG · Colorado — managed by USDA Forest Service

First-come, first-served — no online reservations

About this campground

Welcome to the Arapaho National Recreation Area (ANRA) - a 35,000 acre scenic water wonderland in the upper reaches of the Colorado River Valley. The ANRA was established by Congress in 1978 and contains five major reservoirs: Lake Granby, Shadow Mountain Lake, Monarch Lake, Willow Creek Reservoir and Meadow Creek Reservoir. Grand Lake, adjacent to the ANRA, with its deep, clear blue waters, is the largest natural lake in Colorado. Together, the lakes and reservoirs are often referred to as the "Great Lakes of Colorado." The ANRA is a world-class place to boat, camp, hike, fish, ice fish, snowmobile, view wildlife, horseback ride and hold events. The ANRA’s campgrounds include Arapaho Bay, Green Ridge, Sunset Point, Stillwater, Willow Creek, and the Cutthroat Group Campground. Dispersed camping is allowed near Meadow Creek Reservoir, along some of the eastern shore of Lake Granby (Map, pdf 4 MB) and along other roads within the recreation area identified for dispersed camping on the Sulphur Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map. PLEASE NOTE: Visitors that hike trails leading west from the Monarch Lake, Roaring Fork or Junco Lake Trailheads are responsible for following all Indian Peaks Wilderness regulations and permit requirements. All vehicles (including automobiles, RVs, ATVs, and snowmobiles) must display a valid pass. Campground fees are additional. Passes are required on long-term moored boats. Boats trailered in for short periods are covered by the vehicle pass. ANRA fees are covered under Interagency Passes properly displayed on the vehicle dashboard or from a mirror hangtag with the signature side visible to enforcement personnel. Fees are also required to use the waters of Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Lake Granby.

Getting there

From Interstate 25 to the Supervisor's Office: Take the Prospect Road exit and travel approximately four and one-half miles west. Turn left onto Centre Avenue (south). Our building is located at the third entrance (top of the hill) into the Natural Resources Research Center. The Canyon Lakes District Office and Visitor Center (1st floor) and Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grasslands Headquarters (2nd floor) are co-located at: 2150 Centre Avenue, Building E Fort Collins, CO 80526

Directions to Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG, not to this specific campground.

Elevation
8,347 ftCold nights, seasonal snow
Contact
1111111111
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG office

Activities

  • BOATING
  • CAMPING
  • FISHING
  • HIKING
  • WILDLIFE VIEWING

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more Colorado camping

Arapaho National Recreation Area doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Colorado campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.