By:
Submission
Echo Lake Campground is located on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in central Colorado near its namesake lake at the base of Mount Evans along Hwy 103. Visitors enjoy hiking, fishing and taking scenic drives along Mount Evans Road.
Activities in the area include hiking in the Mount Evans Wilderness, fishing, scenic driving and wildlife viewing. Several trails leave directly from the campground.
The campground offers 11 sites more suited to RV camping and seven sites designated for tent camping only. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Also, there are vault toilets, hand pumps with potable water and trash service.
Echo Lake sits in a spruce forest near the shores of Echo Lake. The campground's 10,600' elevation creates cool to chilly nights, even in summer, and its location on a mountain pass makes for windy conditions year-round.
The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland on the foothills and slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. The forests and grassland cover 1.5 million acres and extend north to the Wyoming border, south to Mount Evans and west across the Continental Divide.
The area encompasses mountains, lakes and five scenic byways, designated by Congress for their scenery, wildlife or history, including the highest road in North America. Mount Evans Road, also known as Colorado Highway 5, allows visitors to drive from 10,500' to 14,130' above sea level in just 14 miles.
Nearby Idaho Springs, a former mining town, makes for a nice outing. History buffs will appreciate the Argo Gold Mine and Mill Museum. The City and County of Denver Mountain Park, Echo Lake and Echo Lake Lodge are located adjacent to the campground.
Take I-70 westbound, Idaho Springs exit #240 - Hwy 103. Go south 14 miles to the intersection of Hwy 103 and Hwy 5 (Mt Evans Road). Turn right on Hwy 5 then turn left to enter the campground.
The only reason this isn't a five star review, is because the bees in the morning are no joke at this campsite. We took care of our trash and made sure nothing out of the ordinary was attracting them but it didn't help. None of us got stung by some miracle. Other than that, the campground is very well kept and the views are beautiful. The tent sites are set up nicely and give you good privacy while keeping you sociable with the other tent sites. They have fire crates that have the grill attachment together which is a nice amenity. Perfect for a little weekend getaway
Echo Lake campground is a good place to kick back and relax for a bit. Although a little close to the neighboring site (will add photos), the site itself was well cared for and decently level. The toilets are a bit messy and stink a bit but such is to be expected of vault toilets, and I would recommend the use of the facilities at the nearby Echo Lake Lodge (which at the time of writing are out of service due to a septic issue but the porta potties they brought in are well maintained and decently clean). The camp host was nice and was decently accessible (if you can't find her at her trailer try the Lodge). The water is between sites 7 and 8 and is a little difficult to pump.
All in all 4/5. Toilets could be better maintained and the sites could be a little better spaced apart, but my family and I had a good time. The hand pump at the water well could stand to be replaced or at least lubricated, but it was usable.
I liked my stay here and wish to return at some point. Keep it up y'all!
Campground is great. The manager Darrell is very polite & helpful. Hope to see him again next year.
There are no rooms and as for service, it's run by the US Forest Service and they are some crabby angry people at the gates going up to Mt Evans. They have their "reserved" entry system to enter, even though YOUR tax money goes to pay for their jobs and the system. You better get your reservation of Hitler at the gates has a coniption.
Our first time here. We love the Echo lake Campground. The campground is right near the gate to drive up to Mt Evans/ Blue Sky. It is a beautiful and well cared for campground. The hosts are great and make sure everyone is taken care of and the atmosphere is good for enjoying the outdoors. Glad we could stay here just before they close for the end of the season. We’ll be back
