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Submission
From Hwy 80 in Colfax exit at Canyon Way, head north on Canyon way turn right onto Iowa Hil Rd. 3 mile paved road to sites and river.
Mineral Bar Campgrounds is great for a quick "getaway". It is real quiet except for the distant train up on the mountain side. During our winter camping trip, there was only one other couple in a distant camp site and the only voices heard were our own..Winter camping brings out the sounds of the small but mighty layers of water falling down the hillside on the opposite side of the bridge and freezing cold water rushing over the river rocks. Its so relaxing!
The restrooms are exceptionally clean for having no-flush toilets. Toilet only bathrooms without sinks. Bring hand washing wipes and/ or your own soap and water.
*BRING WATER* There is no running water anywhere except for the river so bring clean drinking and washing water. River water is not reccomended for cooking or washing.
Personal Bear containers are on each individual site for your food. Bear resistant trash containers and recycling containers are provided near the bathrooms too.
Only 5 or 6 sites were open to the public during my winter camping trip. Covid friendly keeping sits in between empty. Rangers visit multiple times a day though they do not have rangers living or staying onsite.
First come first serve *no reservations. Sites are small but all sites will fit at a regular size tent and some will fit itrailers. Winter time allows for fires but only in the deep pits. No wood gathering so *BRING YOUR OWN WOOD *
Camping is near the river with bushes and trees in between.
There is a separate Walking and driving bridge, trails near by, your surrounded by mountains on all sides and a steep bending road on the side of the camp but it's not very busy and travelers go very slow around its corners.
I give this camp ground 5 stars for the sights and sounds of nature, the smaller and more intimate size of of the park, the cleanliness, awesome Rangers, the convenience of it being open when most other parks are closed during the winter season.
Call the park county for list of open parks. They were the ones that sent us here when our other camp ground was closed. What a gem! Day use too! Enjoy!
I love this place but my dog got 10 tick bites in the winter. make sure you and your family and pets wear tick protection. This area is known for Lyme disease.
Very nice campground with lots of wildlife. One squirrel got friendly with the tire on my van.
The road has a lot to be desired. Very narrow road with no room for two cars going in opposite directions in a couple of places. Really scary when driving next to a cliff with no shoulder or guard rails and the locals on Iowa Hill disregard the posted speed limits. Not a road for the faint of heart with a fear of heights.
