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Columbine Campground is located just off the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway/Highway 119, west of Denver, in north central Colorado. This campground is popular with off-road enthusiasts and many jeep roads can be reached from the campground.
Many hiking and biking trails are found nearby. Scenic driving is available along Highways 119 and 72, which is also known as the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Numerous creeks, rivers and lakes in the area provide fishing opportunities. Off-road enthusiasts will find many jeep roads in the vicinity.
This campground has 46 sites on two loops. Five of these sites are suitable for tents only; the others are suitable for both RV and/or tents. Each site has a picnic table, campfire ring and grill. Other amenities include: vault toilets, water spigots and trash service. Bundled firewood is for sale by the onsite campground manager. RV units are not permitted to fill tanks from the water spigots. All of the sites are non-electric.
The campground's two loops are situated in a grove of aspen and lodgepole pine, at an elevation of 9,200 feet.
Highway 279 is gravel to the campground and the interior campground road is dirt.
Due to the mountain pine beetle infestation and removal of hazardous trees, there may be little to no shade available in the campground.
The historic mining town of Central City is nearby. Popular events there include Lou Bunch Day and the Central City Opera and Jazz festivals.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park is a short drive from the campground. This scenic park offers over 35 miles of hiking trails. Mountain biking and horseback riding are allowed on some trails. Every stream and pond in the park is open to fishing.
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees. For full details see NRRS Reservation Policy.
From I25 in Denver, take 6th Ave West to state Highway 6, through clear Creek Canyon. Proceed north on State Highway 119, turn left on Gilpin County Road 279 (Gregory St. next to Bullwackers Casino) in Black Hawk, follow signs to Central City. Gregory St. changes to Lawrence St, at Central City limits, then changes to Eureka St. midway thru Central City. Proceed on Eureka St. until road turns to gravel \& follow signs to campground. Campground is located 2 miles northwest of Central City on County Road 279. Two and one-half miles Northwest of Central City via Gilpin County Road 3 on Forest Road 176. At the top near the cemeteries, follow the signs to the campground.
I've been camping here for the past 6 years, this years camp host was by far the best we've had. He was very attentive to the bathrooms, making sure they were as clean as they could be. The ATV noise can definitely be a bit much sometimes but that's to be expected. We will definitely be back and hope our same camp host will be as well.
Not expensive, nothing fancy, but great open spaces, very clean bathrooms, friendly camp manager. Can be a little noisy since there is an off-road vehicle parking spot close by, but that's why we camped here - very close to a ton of off-road trails. Good shade, bathrooms are vault toilets, can buy firewood there - does have water spouts to fill up but no RV hook-ups or electricity. Lots are good size and you can have multiple tents/RV in one site - up to 8 people. Our second time here - will come back!
Update - came back for third time this weekend - still great! Wood is a little expensive but otherwise it was quiet, clean and relaxing.
Nice place. Bathrooms, water, and firewood available. Use the Columbine Camp Ground rd right next to the Boodle Mill. Don't follow Google's directions. They take you to a very rocky road that is closed at the campsite side
This campground is always closed in September. I don't know if they open it during the summer or not. There is a well maintained dirt road loading to the capground and then the campsites are situated in a circle at the end of the road. There is some fishing nearby and closed dirt roads to hike on but not many established hiking trails in the immediate vicinity. I don't know what else there is to do in the area but it might be a great place to camp if you're spending time in Central City. There was a camper parked in one of the camping spots this week despite the gate being closed and the sign saying that the campground was closed. They had a fire going so there was definitely someone staying there. Not sure how they got past the locked gate. I'm not sure about the status of the bathrooms, as every time I've been up there it's been closed.
