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Submission
Elkhorn is the campground which is farthest north on Glendo’s western shore. To access it from I-25 turn north on highway 319 out of the town of Glendo, and follow the highway for about 5 miles. The exit for Elkhorn will be on the right-hand side of highway 319. Elkhorn is a very popular destination in the spring, as it provides the boat ramp farthest north, and thus the closest access to the river inlet and canyon. The campground is small, consisting of 9 campsites and one day use site. Sites 1 and 2 are large, undeveloped sites, situated in an open field of native grasses. Site 3 is similarly exposed, and has a large, ADA compliant pad. Sites 4 through 9 are all undeveloped sites, situated along a line of cottonwood trees. The toilet is in the boat ramp parking lot, and is a quarter mile from sites 1 and 2, and is a moderate walk from the other sites. During times of high water, normally from early May to early July, there are several points from which visitors can have decently easy access by foot to the water. The boat ramp is often usable by early May or even late April, but is our first to come out of the water when water levels start to drop in July. The ramp and dock are often high and dry by early-mid July.
The park is open year-round for day use and camping. Day use permits are required from 6AM to 10PM, and camping permits are required from 10PM to 6AM. Fee booths are open Mon-Sun, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Otherwise, fees can be paid by cash or check, at canisters stationed at each park entrance, which are available 24/7.
This park is absolutely beautiful. We will definitely be back after our 3 night stay at Sandy Beach Dune. Our spot was right on the water but since the water level is lower this year the beach activities were further away. Be aware spots near the shore lines have a ton of ants. They do not bite you but are on everything and everywhere. The beach was absolutely clean and the views were incredible.
Always a beautiful experience! Had fun hiking. Even with the water levels down, still enough water to kayak
So much better than just going to Horsetooth where it's constantly crowded and there's never reservations. Very beautiful lake with amazing, clean camping. I'll definitely be back.
We we’re staying not far the park and decided to visit for a short drive around the park. So glad we did. Very beautiful. Really nice camping areas.
Glendo is a beautiful place to stay with lots of different options for camping. We have been going there for 30 plus years. You can stay at Sandy Beach so you are close to the lake or way up on the cliffs at Two Moons so you can take full advantage of the magnificent sunsets. There are many different areas to camp all around the lake. There is also lots of boat ramps to put in at. This changes as the they let water out, but they keep you informed which ones are closed. The lake is large so driving your watercraft around is not much of an issue with people everywhere, although it does get crowded on the weekends and especially the holidays.
There are pit bathrooms located conveniently around the campsites as well as big dumpsters as you are leaving so you can keep your area clean easily. There are fire pits with grills so you can cook, but it seems to me that there has been a constant fire ban for at least the last 5 or 6 years.
My biggest two gripes is that before Sept. 30th you have to have a reservation to stay. Even if the entire campground is empty. No reservation, no stay. We wanted to stay an extra day this last week and even tho the nice lady at the check-in booth said no one would be in the spot we were at for a couple weeks we would either have to call or go on line and make a reservation for the extra night. You used to be able to pull in, find a spot and go back to tell them where you were and pay for your spot. There were a few spots that were reservation only. That was so much nicer and easier.
Also, there are lots of places to plug in if you have a camper or motorhome, but no quiet place if you are just a tent camper. We had 3 campers around us, one left their generator going all day until 10pm which is the quiet time cut off. The others had them off and on throughout the evening. It would be nice to have an area where no generators were allowed so you could actually enjoy the peace and quiet of true camping.
